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Man Up #4
James—Uncontrollable
It's time to travel with James and Malcolm through their twenty year history as they battle each other and struggle to hold on to a lifetime of secrets.
James
Never good enough.
Not the real son.
I will prove him wrong—prove everyone wrong.
I am someone.
I will succeed.
I don’t need my brother to help me.
I don't need anyone.
My enemy holds my secret.
He teases me.
Taunts me.
Follows me with his eyes.
Our hot, angry kisses keep me up at night.
I don’t want him.
I hate him.
But I can’t stop thinking about him.
That there's more to him
I want to discover him.
The truth is unexpected.
My enemy might not only be my friend but the love I never thought to have.
Malcolm
Live, love, laugh.
Life is too short to worry when you don’t know how long you’ve got.
I want every day to be my best.
Like it’s my last.
My friends see what I let them.
Not the real me.
Only one man has ever crawled beneath my skin.
He drives me crazy.
Makes me wild.
Makes me care.
A night of bad decisions changes the course of my life.
Everything I've known no longer makes sense.
My enemy now stands by my side.
I’m no longer running.
I want to stay.
I want a future.
Hate has changed to something new and wonderful.
Something terrifying.
Uncontrollable.
Love.
James
Never good enough.
Not the real son.
I will prove him wrong—prove everyone wrong.
I am someone.
I will succeed.
I don’t need my brother to help me.
I don't need anyone.
My enemy holds my secret.
He teases me.
Taunts me.
Follows me with his eyes.
Our hot, angry kisses keep me up at night.
I don’t want him.
I hate him.
But I can’t stop thinking about him.
That there's more to him
I want to discover him.
The truth is unexpected.
My enemy might not only be my friend but the love I never thought to have.
Malcolm
Live, love, laugh.
Life is too short to worry when you don’t know how long you’ve got.
I want every day to be my best.
Like it’s my last.
My friends see what I let them.
Not the real me.
Only one man has ever crawled beneath my skin.
He drives me crazy.
Makes me wild.
Makes me care.
A night of bad decisions changes the course of my life.
Everything I've known no longer makes sense.
My enemy now stands by my side.
I’m no longer running.
I want to stay.
I want a future.
Hate has changed to something new and wonderful.
Something terrifying.
Uncontrollable.
Love.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2018
54 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Felice Stevens
100 books1,697 followersFelice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
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April 16, 2022
James Uncontrollable is book four in the Man Up series by Felice Stevens. We’ve been working up to this book through this whole series. James has remained a mystery up until now, only showing little glimpses of himself here and there. But now it’s time to finally get his story.
James Rutledge is the owner of the Man-Up strip club that has been the focus of this whole series. But to know the real James, the author takes us back to his childhood, at where things really began. We learn of the pain and anger that shaped him into the man he is today. We learn what drove him to be successful and also what drives him to help others. All James ever really wanted was to be loved and accepted. Both things that were never attainable to him. Malcolm, his brother Rhodes closest friend, knows James’s biggest secret and James has lived his life in fear that he would tell someone. James has never let go of his anger. He’s held it close to him his entire life. He’s never fully let anyone in. When the story reaches the present, James is thirty three years old and has accepted that he will be alone for the rest of his life.
Malcolm McHabe is now thirty five years old. He’s known Rhodes since they were kids and they’ve been best friends since the beginning. He met James the day James came into their lives and always felt bad for him. He felt a strange connection to him but the anger James held kept him away. Malcolm is the exact opposite of James in every way. He lives every day to the fullest. He takes risks, constantly travels and has a different partner every night. He wants to squeeze every bit of life out of each day that he can. Malcolm also has a secret, one no one knows, not even his closest friend.
Malcolm has made a habit of showing up at Man-Up and doing everything in his power to taunt James. He’s trying to get him to react in any way that he can. If that’s anger, then he’ll take it. But Malcolm pushes James too far. The anger James feels towards Malcolm overshadows everything else. No one can figure out why these two affect each other the way that they do, unless all that anger is really something else entirely!
“He made me lose control.”
A couple of angry kisses proves to James and Malcolm that there is something there between them that can’t be denied. But deny it is what James wants to do. Until Malcolm finally gets his chance to show James that there is more to him, more to them. And to give them a chance to see what they can be.
“All you have to do is let go, and we’ll find our way. Together.”
Wow! I think I loved James before I even began this book. Once I got to know his story, I loved him even more. He was so angry but had good reason. Malcolm, with his own secrets to hide, did push too far but I loved how, when he finally showed James who he really was, he was exactly what James needed. This is truly an enemies to lovers story. James and Malcolm might have seemed to be opposites but when they finally were able to see each other for the men they really were, they realized they were so much more alike than they realized. This was wonderful. I loved them both so much. I have truly enjoyed this series and will remember all of these characters for a very long time.
“Fly with me, Jamie. Let go and fly.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
James Rutledge is the owner of the Man-Up strip club that has been the focus of this whole series. But to know the real James, the author takes us back to his childhood, at where things really began. We learn of the pain and anger that shaped him into the man he is today. We learn what drove him to be successful and also what drives him to help others. All James ever really wanted was to be loved and accepted. Both things that were never attainable to him. Malcolm, his brother Rhodes closest friend, knows James’s biggest secret and James has lived his life in fear that he would tell someone. James has never let go of his anger. He’s held it close to him his entire life. He’s never fully let anyone in. When the story reaches the present, James is thirty three years old and has accepted that he will be alone for the rest of his life.
Malcolm McHabe is now thirty five years old. He’s known Rhodes since they were kids and they’ve been best friends since the beginning. He met James the day James came into their lives and always felt bad for him. He felt a strange connection to him but the anger James held kept him away. Malcolm is the exact opposite of James in every way. He lives every day to the fullest. He takes risks, constantly travels and has a different partner every night. He wants to squeeze every bit of life out of each day that he can. Malcolm also has a secret, one no one knows, not even his closest friend.
Malcolm has made a habit of showing up at Man-Up and doing everything in his power to taunt James. He’s trying to get him to react in any way that he can. If that’s anger, then he’ll take it. But Malcolm pushes James too far. The anger James feels towards Malcolm overshadows everything else. No one can figure out why these two affect each other the way that they do, unless all that anger is really something else entirely!
“He made me lose control.”
A couple of angry kisses proves to James and Malcolm that there is something there between them that can’t be denied. But deny it is what James wants to do. Until Malcolm finally gets his chance to show James that there is more to him, more to them. And to give them a chance to see what they can be.
“All you have to do is let go, and we’ll find our way. Together.”
Wow! I think I loved James before I even began this book. Once I got to know his story, I loved him even more. He was so angry but had good reason. Malcolm, with his own secrets to hide, did push too far but I loved how, when he finally showed James who he really was, he was exactly what James needed. This is truly an enemies to lovers story. James and Malcolm might have seemed to be opposites but when they finally were able to see each other for the men they really were, they realized they were so much more alike than they realized. This was wonderful. I loved them both so much. I have truly enjoyed this series and will remember all of these characters for a very long time.
“Fly with me, Jamie. Let go and fly.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
September 25, 2018
Oh lordy, Felice Stevens doesn't just knock it out the park with this one, she takes the World Series.
I have enjoyed every book in the Man Up collection but hands down this is my favourite.
Felice not only makes the name Malcolm sexy, she turns it into the embodiment of a man who just hit every one of my buttons.
He's the perfect foil for James, annoyingly (for James at least!) on the sidelines from his first steps into this world, Mal is so much more than his flighty and inconsequential outward image.
James has my heart since the start of this series, but I always just wanted to wrap him up in a fluffy blanket and give him a cuddle.
Here we see two men with UST hitting the stratosphere and they always say it's a thin line between love and hate so its no wonder that when the pressure finally hits maximum there is so much steam.
Everything about this book worked for me. There's relatively little angst, the bantering and snarking is on point throughout.
These two men fight so hard because they have those pesky feelings and oh boy, do they burn it up when given free reign.
Now, while I believe this is the final book in this particular instalment, I do hope it won't be the last time we visit this wonderful world of characters.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I have enjoyed every book in the Man Up collection but hands down this is my favourite.
Felice not only makes the name Malcolm sexy, she turns it into the embodiment of a man who just hit every one of my buttons.
He's the perfect foil for James, annoyingly (for James at least!) on the sidelines from his first steps into this world, Mal is so much more than his flighty and inconsequential outward image.
James has my heart since the start of this series, but I always just wanted to wrap him up in a fluffy blanket and give him a cuddle.
Here we see two men with UST hitting the stratosphere and they always say it's a thin line between love and hate so its no wonder that when the pressure finally hits maximum there is so much steam.
Everything about this book worked for me. There's relatively little angst, the bantering and snarking is on point throughout.
These two men fight so hard because they have those pesky feelings and oh boy, do they burn it up when given free reign.
Now, while I believe this is the final book in this particular instalment, I do hope it won't be the last time we visit this wonderful world of characters.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
May 27, 2019
Audio 5+++ stars
Story 4 stars
Story 4 stars
October 9, 2018
"I guess we don’t choose who we fall in love with. Sometimes it happens and we have no control"
Why there's only five stars on Goodreads while all I wanna do is giving James and Malcolm all the stars? WHY???
JAMES
MALCOLM
This is hands-down my favorite story of this series along with Austin, Rhoades, Frankie, Cort :)
Um, to think again, I loved all the book in the series and cannot recommend you enough to read the whole series (in order).
Side note : this book cannot read as a stand alone.
I used to be curious about Malcolm, Rhoades best friend that James hated so much from the beginning of this series. I know that there's something between them, their own story that no one, not even Rhoades knew.
Knowing James, and his heartbreaking story was hard, Felice took us back in time, to twenty years before today, to get to know what happened back then that made James he is now.
I cried for little James, for he's the one who had to suffered from adult selfishness, and then when his hope slowly faded after he met Rhoades from the first time.
I wanted to hold him and said it's okay, you have me :(
Rhoades, as a half brother didn't make it better, and I cannot blamed him as well, for the shocked he received that day.
Mal was there too, from day one James came into his father and Rhoades life. But he's Rhoades best friend, and he never felt more alone in his his life that day.
James was a broken boy.
" I'll never love them. I don't need them, I don't need anybody"
But then slowly Mal came into his life more often and (like Felice said), annoying like a mosquito. James hated that.
But James never knew, that all this time, Mal has always took his side, but didn't know how to make James believed in him.
"Finding james tonight so lost and vulnerable yet pretending to have a hard, invicible cell broke my heart"
But the slowly, Mal peeled that shell once at the time, and the real James he's dying to see, came to his sight and he intended to stay this time, and make James his. For good.
“I’ve been watching you forever. From a heartbroken kid who showed up out of nowhere to the man who stops my heart whenever he walks into the room. No matter how we fought and hated and tormented each other, there was always this inevitable, uncontrollable force between us.”
I had so many feeling while reading this book, one most anticipated book this year, and Felice surely never failed to amazed me with her writing, and I can't hate Mal or James for their annoyingly stubborn act, but to love them unconditionally.
Another winner from Felice Stevens that you don't want to miss!
Highly recommended!
Note : pictures are courtesy of the author.
September 27, 2018
James, the mysterious, generous owner of Man Up gets his story at last! We’ve been teased with his dislike of Rhoades’ jet-setting, best-friend Malcolm, and their simmering sexual tension, since the start of the series. There was nothing to dislike so far about James – he cares for his employees and is building a relationship with his previously estranged half-brother, but Malcolm? His constant riling up of James had me side-eyeing him, but there were also glimpses of goodness and really, if Rhoades loves him so there must be a reason.
The story spans 20 years. It starts before James ever meets Rhoades or Mal, when Rhoades was just the hope of a future with a brother James could love and would love him back. When James’ life goes to hell at 13 it’s the one thing he is holding on to. Reality slaps him back in the face pretty quickly and he spends most of his life lonely, feeling unwanted and unloved. Mal is always there in the background. James sees him having Rhoades’ back, but that doesn’t help him. It just adds to his desire to make it on his own. Unfortunately, it also leads to some bad choices. James carries his anger and hate for a long time, believing that it’s the only thing that can keep him on the road to success. One thing that hangs over his head, regardless of his success, is that the man he hates knows his biggest secret.
Mal has always seen James. The first day they met he was on James’ side. He saw the situation and tried to help in his own way. Mal had his own life though and James made it clear he didn’t want anything from Mal. That never stopped Mal from thinking about James as he traveled the world living his life to the fullest. Mal knows James’ secret, but Mal has secrets of his own.
Step onto the rollercoaster, fasten your lap belt and enjoy the ride! The wait was worth it as James and Mal battle it out. Any irritation I had at Mal dissolved quickly. He is nothing like I thought he would be and everything James wants and needs. As generous and caring as James with the guys at Man Up, inside he is wound so tightly and filled with anger he can’t let go of, few see the pain and insecurity beneath it. My heart broke for James as a child and an angry teenager and then it broke again as he tries to build a relationship with Rhoades.
James and Mal have scorching heat between them. Whether they’re fighting or falling for each other, the passion runs high. Thank goodness Mal is tenacious. There are so many ups and downs for these two as James constantly pushes Mal away, not trusting any act of kindness or support. I guarantee you’ll love it just as much as I do when James finally lets go of his stubborn need for control and gives in to what he wants with Mal. Even then it won’t be easy, James can’t change things overnight, but when these two finally talk and bare themselves to each other I was sighing with happiness.
James and Mal are right up there with my other favorite Felice Stevens couples. I loved everything about them. There’s a great blend of angst, drama, romance, sex, and humor. James may be the most stubborn character she’s written, but it all works out with a very happy ending.
The story spans 20 years. It starts before James ever meets Rhoades or Mal, when Rhoades was just the hope of a future with a brother James could love and would love him back. When James’ life goes to hell at 13 it’s the one thing he is holding on to. Reality slaps him back in the face pretty quickly and he spends most of his life lonely, feeling unwanted and unloved. Mal is always there in the background. James sees him having Rhoades’ back, but that doesn’t help him. It just adds to his desire to make it on his own. Unfortunately, it also leads to some bad choices. James carries his anger and hate for a long time, believing that it’s the only thing that can keep him on the road to success. One thing that hangs over his head, regardless of his success, is that the man he hates knows his biggest secret.
Mal has always seen James. The first day they met he was on James’ side. He saw the situation and tried to help in his own way. Mal had his own life though and James made it clear he didn’t want anything from Mal. That never stopped Mal from thinking about James as he traveled the world living his life to the fullest. Mal knows James’ secret, but Mal has secrets of his own.
Step onto the rollercoaster, fasten your lap belt and enjoy the ride! The wait was worth it as James and Mal battle it out. Any irritation I had at Mal dissolved quickly. He is nothing like I thought he would be and everything James wants and needs. As generous and caring as James with the guys at Man Up, inside he is wound so tightly and filled with anger he can’t let go of, few see the pain and insecurity beneath it. My heart broke for James as a child and an angry teenager and then it broke again as he tries to build a relationship with Rhoades.
James and Mal have scorching heat between them. Whether they’re fighting or falling for each other, the passion runs high. Thank goodness Mal is tenacious. There are so many ups and downs for these two as James constantly pushes Mal away, not trusting any act of kindness or support. I guarantee you’ll love it just as much as I do when James finally lets go of his stubborn need for control and gives in to what he wants with Mal. Even then it won’t be easy, James can’t change things overnight, but when these two finally talk and bare themselves to each other I was sighing with happiness.
No matter how we fought and hated and tormented each other, there was always this inevitable, uncontrollable force between us.
James and Mal are right up there with my other favorite Felice Stevens couples. I loved everything about them. There’s a great blend of angst, drama, romance, sex, and humor. James may be the most stubborn character she’s written, but it all works out with a very happy ending.
June 12, 2020
5 stars audio
3 stars story. James was so fucking annoying.
3 stars story. James was so fucking annoying.
October 15, 2018
James and Malcolm's story was as perfect as I thought it'd be! I enjoyed the enemies to lovers so much. It was steamy hot and had just the right amount of angst. I'll definitely listen to the audiobook with Kale Williams when it'll come out. I hope we'll get more of these two in a novella or something.
June 7, 2019
4.5 - loved this ❤️ James & Malcolm... there was so much angst and pain in this story as both men relived elements of their lives. Flip the coin from hate, you have love. Beautiful
March 30, 2019
The chemistry between James and Malcolm was sizzling hot!! 🔥 I’m glad James learned Mal wasn’t just the playboy he made himself out to be but someone invested in kids getting the care they needed for medical problems. With James saving all the young men from a life of selling themselves both he and Malcolm made a wonderful couple. I’ve read through this series waiting to get to this book and I wasn’t disappointed although I would have loved if it had been longer. 😉 I was thrilled with the audio version because the narrator did an excellent job! There was a scene where four couples were together and the narrator Kale William did such s great job for each and every character sounded different 🤗
There was
There was
October 1, 2018
I have been waiting for James book ever since he showed up in Book 1 and obviously my expectation is going to be high. I'm glad to say that Felice definitely delivered and this might be one of her best work yet. Enemies to lovers troupe are my favourite! James and Malcolm's antagonistic relationship had been ongoing for almost two decades. Holy molly! Imagine the amount of pent up sexual frustration they have towards each other.
I appreciate the fact that Felice spent time on detailing James's teenage years and his conflict with his family and Malcolm. Sorry to say that the whole thing doesn't paint Rhoades in a good light for me. He's definitely on my shit list, while I'm slowly falling in love with Malcolm. Malcolm might seems like a trust fund playboy, but deep down he has the biggest heart and he see through James even from the beginning.
All the hatred they have for each other kinda went on forever and is the kind of delicious tension that keep me hanging on tight and refuse to put down my kindle. When are they going to kiss? When are they going to fuck? Can they just do it already? Stop torturing me... Gah!
When they finally put their difference aside and forge ahead with their attraction, I finally breathe a sigh of relief and they are so good together. Mostly I'm just find everyone else reaction to their coupling funny. They are definitely a sight to behold.
Aside of the oh-so-delicious romance, James's story, his heartbreaking past and rocky relationship with his brother, Rhoades totally make me cried. There was one scene that I was a crying mess while they pour their hearts out to each other. I recalled that when they switch topic and start joking about other inane things, my tears ain't even dry yet.
Bottom line is, this book is so freaking good. What a way to end the series.
I appreciate the fact that Felice spent time on detailing James's teenage years and his conflict with his family and Malcolm. Sorry to say that the whole thing doesn't paint Rhoades in a good light for me. He's definitely on my shit list, while I'm slowly falling in love with Malcolm. Malcolm might seems like a trust fund playboy, but deep down he has the biggest heart and he see through James even from the beginning.
All the hatred they have for each other kinda went on forever and is the kind of delicious tension that keep me hanging on tight and refuse to put down my kindle. When are they going to kiss? When are they going to fuck? Can they just do it already? Stop torturing me... Gah!
When they finally put their difference aside and forge ahead with their attraction, I finally breathe a sigh of relief and they are so good together. Mostly I'm just find everyone else reaction to their coupling funny. They are definitely a sight to behold.
Aside of the oh-so-delicious romance, James's story, his heartbreaking past and rocky relationship with his brother, Rhoades totally make me cried. There was one scene that I was a crying mess while they pour their hearts out to each other. I recalled that when they switch topic and start joking about other inane things, my tears ain't even dry yet.
Bottom line is, this book is so freaking good. What a way to end the series.
April 8, 2022
After all the Man-Up guys have had their stories told we finally get to meet James who started the Man-Up club and has done so much for the dancers that find safety and happiness there. Felice Stevens has managed to take two completely unsympathetic and emotionally crippled individuals in James and Malcolm and nurtured them through a plot and nascent romance that is the ultimate definition of the phrase "it's complicated." The author brought in all the characters who wandered through the previous books in the series...not that they could help with the ultimate dilemma of James and Malcolm's two-decades-long and hidden deep lust for each other...but they helped to keep them from completely flying apart physically and emotionally. This series is not for anyone that deep despair is a trigger. Page by page we see hate and animosity from James turn into an exploration of possibilities with Malcolm. A good ending to a really good series.
October 1, 2018
This book felt like a long time coming and Felice did not disappoint. James and Mal are my favorite guys now. Their story is 20 years on the making. N
I don’t want to slip with any spoilers or storyline. Read the blurb for that.
James is lonely, angry, life has knocked him down hard, he guards himself tightly, and feels he has no one to support him
Mal is hiding his true self from everyone including his best friend Rhoades. He is also very lonely while everyone thinks he’s the life of the party. “ I’m not good at this. I want you to know now. I spent so many years faking it, I don’t know what’s real anymore.
This books takes you on an emotional roller coaster. Your heart will ache for these men as children through their adulthood. You will be angry for them too.
Finally once they let go and learn to trust each other to share their secrets and to build their relationship going forward letting go of the past.
These two guys have become my favorite of all of Felice characters. They truly know how to bury them self deep inside your heart to hurt with them and then feel their love for each other.
I hope to see more of them in the future. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I don’t want to slip with any spoilers or storyline. Read the blurb for that.
James is lonely, angry, life has knocked him down hard, he guards himself tightly, and feels he has no one to support him
Mal is hiding his true self from everyone including his best friend Rhoades. He is also very lonely while everyone thinks he’s the life of the party. “ I’m not good at this. I want you to know now. I spent so many years faking it, I don’t know what’s real anymore.
This books takes you on an emotional roller coaster. Your heart will ache for these men as children through their adulthood. You will be angry for them too.
Finally once they let go and learn to trust each other to share their secrets and to build their relationship going forward letting go of the past.
These two guys have become my favorite of all of Felice characters. They truly know how to bury them self deep inside your heart to hurt with them and then feel their love for each other.
I hope to see more of them in the future. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
May 30, 2020
My favorite book of the series ❤❤
January 3, 2019
James and Malcolm's story was as perfect as I thought it'd be! I enjoyed the enemies to lovers so much. It was steamy hot and had just the right amount of angst. I'll definitely listen to the audiobook with Kale Williams when it'll come out. I hope we'll get more of these two in a novella or something.
January 8, 2019
4.5 stars.
Loved the whole series. James and Mal's story is my favorite, though... :)
Recommended!
October 2, 2018
“You. That it was you. Always you...”
So, what happen when your greatest enemy becomes your greatest love?
I have wanted this story for so long and always curious about James’s story since the very beginning. As we KNOW, James and Malcolm couldn’t be at the same room together more than five minutes without glaring at each others.
Seeing how James ‘hate’ Malcolm in furious way had stirs curiosity in me, and I want to know the story behind all those strong hate with trace of desires between these two. And when I finally know the secrets both James and Mal's hides all these years, my heart broke for them equally…
For once I wanted someone to care about me, for me…
For years James craved to be loved, to be notice. Through his anger to his father, he build his own success through all the pain, hurt and disappointment of being unloved by people he hope would love him back unconditionally. Keep people at arm’s length and always hiding behind his grim and cool demeanor are the wall of lies he build to protect himself from being hurt…
James lashed his anger not only to his father but also to his brother, Rhoades and his bestfriend, Malcolm. But in the end it’s Mal who can ‘get’ through James tight wall he build to protect himself from being hurt. Because after all these years, Mal is the only person who actually ‘sees’ the real James since the very beginning...
“You may not think I know you, but I do. From the first, when you busted into our lives, I’ve been watching you. There was always something about you. No matter how hard you pushed me away, I’d always come back…To you.”
Behind Mal's charming and naughty personality lies a secret he hide from people around him, include Rhoades. Mal only want to live his life into the fullest and life freely without being worry about what will happen next. But in the end it’s James who made him realized that FINALLY there’s something that make him want to ‘stay’…
It’s funny how fate sometimes showing you the way to your other half through someone you hate for years. And James never thought that his worst enemy might not only be his true friend but the love he never thought to have…
James and Malcolm story had become the most anticipate book from this series, and I’ve prepared myself for their story since Mal's first appearance and teased James in annoying way, and devour it eagerly when it finally come in my hands.
I love Mal for his patience when he must deal with James’s anger and hurt. I love how Mal patiently stay by James's side when he keep pushing him away, but I must admit that I love James MORE and my heart broken for him for what had happened in his live and how he struggling with his own demon and survive before finally found his true self and happiness. And like the perfect pieces of puzzle, they completed each other in amazing way.
There’s no one can write such a story that could play your emotions during the reading like Felice. The love-hate between James and Mal and the push-pull games between the two, the anger, hurts, regrets and bitterness are written in absolutely emotional way by the author. It’s heartbreaking, warm, hot, beautiful with light touch of some silly banters and funny-Awww moment that will give you constant blushed and made the butterflies in your tummy gone wild….
You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. ~ Paul Sweeney.
And that what I felt when I finished this book...and I really didn’t want to say goodbye…
James's story definitely one of the best read I have this year and he and Mal will have special place in my heart ❤
All the stars in the sky to James and Malcolm's story, because FIVE will not enough...
Highly recommended!
*ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review*
January 28, 2022
⭐︎
4.25 stars rounded down!
⭐︎
So I've been wanting to read this for probably a few years at this point, but I always held off because of how much it cost. But now I took the plunge and bought it, and I can definitely say that it was worth it.
I didn't read the first 3 books in this series before this one, but I didn't need to. I just wanted to read the delicious enemies to lovers trope and this book interested me the most out of the whole series.
James is a guy with an understandable chip on his shoulder. He is the son of a cocktail waitress who was the mistress of a rich man named William, who had a wife and kid already.
He grew up with his mom, in poverty, until he was 13 when she died and because she wanted him to live with his father, he went, on his own at 13, to his father's house in New York. His older half-brother, Rhoades, it turns out, didn't even know about him until the day he shows up there.
His father was already an asshole who didn't accept him as his own, not really, and treated him - and his mother - poorly, but Rhoades doesn't accept him at first either, even though it's not his fault that he is the product of an affair.
And so while James had hoped he and Rhoades could grow to be friends, after he overhears him complaining about it all, and James, to his best friend Malcolm, James decides then and there that he doesn't need any of them, and he pulls away from anyone and everyone from that day forward.
He and Malcom see each other sometimes, but when he's 20 and Malcolm 22, it's the first time they've seen each other in 5 years, because Malcolm, who also comes from a rich family, goes off to Europe a lot and is rarely in New York, because he's busy living it up and sleeping with a lot of people whenever he wants to.
Because Malcolm has a health secret that he's keeping from everyone (except, of course, his parents know), including his best friend and brother Rhoades. When he was five, he had a stroke, and ever since then there's always been the possibility that he could have another one. He sees a neurologist frequently, but he still never told anyone because he didn't want to be treated differently, or with pity, or like he might drop dead whenever he has so much as a headache.
Because of this health condition, he has the mentality of living life to the fullest, because to him every day could be his last.
But for James and Malcolm, there's always been...something there. But James is too bitter, angry and full of hatred at William, his dad, and Rhoades and even Malcolm, to be ready for anything - and Malcolm is too busy sowing his wild oats as well.
When he, Rhoades and Malcolm have a falling out when James is 20 and they 22, he doesn't see them for 7 years.
But then at 29 he's ready to reach out to Rhoades to try to start to mend fences to have some semblance of a relationship and they start a tentative brother relationship.
But between him and Malcolm, it just seems to have gotten worse, and then in present day, when James is 33 and Malcolm 35, it's been a year since James found his boyfriend blowing Malcolm in a public bathroom stall - although he and James are so barely in each other's lives that Malcolm didn't even know he was James' boyfriend.
So they have a pretty strong enemies thing going on, although that's more on James' side. James, over the years, has just gotten more closed off and angry and bitter about the world. He even has his father's portrait in his office at the strip club, Man Up, he owns, because to him it helps fuel him, the hate he has for his father.
But one cannot survive on hate alone, and Malcolm is trying to break down his walls of defense. The last few months, he's been showing up at Man Up all the time, pushing James' buttons. Because things are finally starting to come to ahead between them, but James is bound and determined not to give in to the attraction he feels for Malcolm.
But of course, he can't resist him forever, though damn does he try.
These two were definitely hot together. Their first kiss, 20 years in the making, was a long time coming, and there were definitely fireworks, even though James ultimately pulled away.
But Malcolm didn't give up, and kept trying. James was just a tough nut to crack. He'd been living inside this shell of his own making, of anger and hatred and bitterness, for so long, that it was pretty hard for him to let down his walls and give into what he so clearly wanted with Malcolm.
I did .75 stars off for this, which is mainly because I felt like the transition for both of them from lust/attraction to ~maybe feelings to love happened a little too fast for me. It wasn't long after James was letting down his walls, and Malcolm was not feeling the need to sleep around anymore, and became a one man....man, that they realized they were in love and even said it to each other.
I still loved that they got there and once they'd settled into that relationship, it was so good. But it just felt a tad jarring for me, to how quickly it goes from James just even giving in to being with Malcolm sexually, let a lone in a relationship, to declaring their love for each other. I know it was 20 years in the making, but there were 12 years in that 20 years that they never even saw each other at all, and a lot of those years was spent with an antagonistic relationship between them, that I felt the transition to being lovers from enemies needed more time.
But, other than that relationship pacing issue, I did love this book. It went by so fast for me, and only needed sleep made me put it down last night. But I got 2/3 of the way through it before I put it down.
The relationship, the characters, the dynamic, it was done so well, and this had me hooked real good.
I think if it hadn't taken quite so long to get them to the not hating each other part of the story, then there could have been more time showing them really fall in love with each other, and then this would have been perfect.
We still got moments here and there, of course, and they were great moments, they just weren't enough for me to quite feel that they were at the in love stage when they said they were in love. Not enough time had passed. It's like...it took 20 years for them to even get remotely close to each other, so maybe a few more months of really getting to know each other wouldn't have hurt. Would have felt a little more balanced, I think.
But still, this was a great book overall, and has renewed my interest in this author. (I had liked the first work or works by this author, but then I read one that didn't go well and I haven't given her a chance since that book, until now). So I will definitely be checking out more from this author and giving books by her in the future a chance.
Overall, a definite win, with a good enemies-to-lovers story. Definitely two big thumbs up from me, and definitely recommend it! 👍
So I've been wanting to read this for probably a few years at this point, but I always held off because of how much it cost. But now I took the plunge and bought it, and I can definitely say that it was worth it.
I didn't read the first 3 books in this series before this one, but I didn't need to. I just wanted to read the delicious enemies to lovers trope and this book interested me the most out of the whole series.
James is a guy with an understandable chip on his shoulder. He is the son of a cocktail waitress who was the mistress of a rich man named William, who had a wife and kid already.
He grew up with his mom, in poverty, until he was 13 when she died and because she wanted him to live with his father, he went, on his own at 13, to his father's house in New York. His older half-brother, Rhoades, it turns out, didn't even know about him until the day he shows up there.
His father was already an asshole who didn't accept him as his own, not really, and treated him - and his mother - poorly, but Rhoades doesn't accept him at first either, even though it's not his fault that he is the product of an affair.
And so while James had hoped he and Rhoades could grow to be friends, after he overhears him complaining about it all, and James, to his best friend Malcolm, James decides then and there that he doesn't need any of them, and he pulls away from anyone and everyone from that day forward.
He and Malcom see each other sometimes, but when he's 20 and Malcolm 22, it's the first time they've seen each other in 5 years, because Malcolm, who also comes from a rich family, goes off to Europe a lot and is rarely in New York, because he's busy living it up and sleeping with a lot of people whenever he wants to.
Because Malcolm has a health secret that he's keeping from everyone (except, of course, his parents know), including his best friend and brother Rhoades. When he was five, he had a stroke, and ever since then there's always been the possibility that he could have another one. He sees a neurologist frequently, but he still never told anyone because he didn't want to be treated differently, or with pity, or like he might drop dead whenever he has so much as a headache.
Because of this health condition, he has the mentality of living life to the fullest, because to him every day could be his last.
But for James and Malcolm, there's always been...something there. But James is too bitter, angry and full of hatred at William, his dad, and Rhoades and even Malcolm, to be ready for anything - and Malcolm is too busy sowing his wild oats as well.
When he, Rhoades and Malcolm have a falling out when James is 20 and they 22, he doesn't see them for 7 years.
But then at 29 he's ready to reach out to Rhoades to try to start to mend fences to have some semblance of a relationship and they start a tentative brother relationship.
But between him and Malcolm, it just seems to have gotten worse, and then in present day, when James is 33 and Malcolm 35, it's been a year since James found his boyfriend blowing Malcolm in a public bathroom stall - although he and James are so barely in each other's lives that Malcolm didn't even know he was James' boyfriend.
So they have a pretty strong enemies thing going on, although that's more on James' side. James, over the years, has just gotten more closed off and angry and bitter about the world. He even has his father's portrait in his office at the strip club, Man Up, he owns, because to him it helps fuel him, the hate he has for his father.
But one cannot survive on hate alone, and Malcolm is trying to break down his walls of defense. The last few months, he's been showing up at Man Up all the time, pushing James' buttons. Because things are finally starting to come to ahead between them, but James is bound and determined not to give in to the attraction he feels for Malcolm.
But of course, he can't resist him forever, though damn does he try.
These two were definitely hot together. Their first kiss, 20 years in the making, was a long time coming, and there were definitely fireworks, even though James ultimately pulled away.
But Malcolm didn't give up, and kept trying. James was just a tough nut to crack. He'd been living inside this shell of his own making, of anger and hatred and bitterness, for so long, that it was pretty hard for him to let down his walls and give into what he so clearly wanted with Malcolm.
I did .75 stars off for this, which is mainly because I felt like the transition for both of them from lust/attraction to ~maybe feelings to love happened a little too fast for me. It wasn't long after James was letting down his walls, and Malcolm was not feeling the need to sleep around anymore, and became a one man....man, that they realized they were in love and even said it to each other.
I still loved that they got there and once they'd settled into that relationship, it was so good. But it just felt a tad jarring for me, to how quickly it goes from James just even giving in to being with Malcolm sexually, let a lone in a relationship, to declaring their love for each other. I know it was 20 years in the making, but there were 12 years in that 20 years that they never even saw each other at all, and a lot of those years was spent with an antagonistic relationship between them, that I felt the transition to being lovers from enemies needed more time.
But, other than that relationship pacing issue, I did love this book. It went by so fast for me, and only needed sleep made me put it down last night. But I got 2/3 of the way through it before I put it down.
The relationship, the characters, the dynamic, it was done so well, and this had me hooked real good.
I think if it hadn't taken quite so long to get them to the not hating each other part of the story, then there could have been more time showing them really fall in love with each other, and then this would have been perfect.
We still got moments here and there, of course, and they were great moments, they just weren't enough for me to quite feel that they were at the in love stage when they said they were in love. Not enough time had passed. It's like...it took 20 years for them to even get remotely close to each other, so maybe a few more months of really getting to know each other wouldn't have hurt. Would have felt a little more balanced, I think.
But still, this was a great book overall, and has renewed my interest in this author. (I had liked the first work or works by this author, but then I read one that didn't go well and I haven't given her a chance since that book, until now). So I will definitely be checking out more from this author and giving books by her in the future a chance.
Overall, a definite win, with a good enemies-to-lovers story. Definitely two big thumbs up from me, and definitely recommend it! 👍
October 6, 2018
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and thought I'd found my favourite in Austin and Rhoades but omg...James and Malcolm burn your kindle.....These two are just perfect together...Enemies but oh so damn hot when they get going....Mal just loves pushing James' button and James walks right into it everytime.....the chemistry with these two is off the charts and I can't believe how quick I read it....I adore Mal and there's a heartbreaking part in there concerning him which my my heart jump.....But even as James pushes him away Mal just keeps coming back...A truly amazing end to the series and I really wish it didn't have to end x
April 3, 2022
When James is forced to live with the father who never wanted him, it shapes him into the man he eventually becomes, it shapes a future that could have gone such a different way if only his father had been the man his mother had always hoped he was. From the time young James walks into the cold home of William, his father, and Rhoades, his half-brother, he's quite aware that he's not wanted or loved. And God did I hurt for that little boy because it damaged him almost irreparably. And he would have gone on living his life, living each day holding tight onto control, never trusting, never loving, if his brother's best friend, Malcolm, hadn't been in his life.
From their very first meeting, there was something about Malcolm that drew James to him. But, Malcolm always chose Rhoades over James, and it haunted James. Even as they grew older, and Malcolm's flirtatious charm worked on all the other men that flitted in and out of his life, it only served to enrage James. And Malcolm wanted to do something about that. He'd always been drawn to the hurt boy he had seen in James from the very first meeting. But, he didn't know how to reach him, so he taunted him, and picked and picked to get a reaction until finally James snapped and the only reaction James had was to banish him from James' club, from James' life. It would have been a shame if it had ended there, but fate had other plans for our two soul mates, and placed them in other's lives again, and finally, finally, there was a breakthrough, and it was pretty beautiful to read. From there it was a quick, but kind of painful trip to an HEA. I was cringing at first, though, because I had a bad feeling, but thankfully Felice Stevens took it easy on the reader, and allowed James and Malcolm something beautiful. Of course it wasn't easy, but it was worth it because by the end I was all smiles!
I adored James—Uncontrollable. It's heartfelt and beautiful, and pretty steamy too. James and Malcolm are really layered, fascinating characters, especially James. I loved seeing him grow, seeing him open himself up to love and to finally learn to let go and trust Malcolm. These two so deserved their HEA. And now that I've read their story, I am definitely going back to read the previous books in this series, and am looking forward to more.
ARC via Buoni Amici Press for an honest review.
Full review posted on Live Through Books Blog.
October 10, 2018
❤️.•🌟¨)☆❤️¸.•🌟´¨)☆❤️¸.•♥🌟´¨)☆
❤️🌟(¸.•❤️´🌟It's time to travel with James and Malcolm through their twenty year history as they battle each other and struggle to hold on to a lifetime of secrets.
Firstly, I love the writings of Felice Stevens. With that being said, I can confess that not since The Arrangement have this author grabbed me and kept me on edge. I confess I have not read the other books in the series [bad girl, I know], but this one was talked about so much I knew i had to get in on the action and suffer the consequences later. [Yep, four books to devour before GRL 18, how will I do it?] So, in un-Cee review fashion, let me break it down for you.
The plot: five stars, it sucked me in and kept me going. I needed to know when? why? how? SO much was said in the synopsis, but so little was divulged that I knew it would keep me captivated. And Lort, did it. Glued to my seat that I was afraid to close my eyes in case I missed something. [I did sleep, but the moment I woke, said my prayers and brushed my teeth, I was back in this story!]
The pacing: five frigging stars. I never had to wonder whose head I was in or at what hour. The author wrote these men meticulously and with such differences in speech and attitude. She set the pace and never faltered. "...You can't control everything. Life is wild and uncontrollable, and good or bad, follows its own path." ~Mal
The chemistry: off the friggin chain! Even meeting at thirteen and fifteen, for James and Malcolm respectively, there were sparks and it continued throughout the twenty year span. And the explosion on finally coming together? Worth it!!! As Mal said: "I could be insatiable. Uncontrollable. For you."
The Character development: Can you say growth spurt and hallelujah! The author did not make this simple, but she allowed her characters to fester and suffer and learn the ere of their ways and discover that there was better and happiness and LIFE. I watched James, even as he uttered: "There's something broken inside me," knew he had so much more growing to do. I journeyed with him as he stopped feeling the least and unwanted and grow into a man worthy of love and affection. I watched Mal put away his wanderlust and decide to be open and willing to share his secrets. 5 awesome stars. This was truly a man up theme.
The ending: I loved that loving was never easy and would never be simple and that Mal's issue would never just go away but he was willing to accept others in his life knowing and ready to offer a helping hand if needs be. I really enjoyed how the news of James's and Mal's get together threw their friends for a loop considering their constant bickering. And I love that despite it all, no matter how unpleasant, all one had to do was be open to communication.
This may not be the type of review you are used to coming from me, but I was looking for words, and this is what came to me. I had something else as I read, but I think this is my only and final draft. [LOL] But never fear, as you see, my favorite quotes still made an impact. Both James and Malcolm make me want to tattoo the words on my body: "New beginnings are the best."
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
❤️🌟(¸.•❤️´🌟It's time to travel with James and Malcolm through their twenty year history as they battle each other and struggle to hold on to a lifetime of secrets.
Firstly, I love the writings of Felice Stevens. With that being said, I can confess that not since The Arrangement have this author grabbed me and kept me on edge. I confess I have not read the other books in the series [bad girl, I know], but this one was talked about so much I knew i had to get in on the action and suffer the consequences later. [Yep, four books to devour before GRL 18, how will I do it?] So, in un-Cee review fashion, let me break it down for you.
The plot: five stars, it sucked me in and kept me going. I needed to know when? why? how? SO much was said in the synopsis, but so little was divulged that I knew it would keep me captivated. And Lort, did it. Glued to my seat that I was afraid to close my eyes in case I missed something. [I did sleep, but the moment I woke, said my prayers and brushed my teeth, I was back in this story!]
The pacing: five frigging stars. I never had to wonder whose head I was in or at what hour. The author wrote these men meticulously and with such differences in speech and attitude. She set the pace and never faltered. "...You can't control everything. Life is wild and uncontrollable, and good or bad, follows its own path." ~Mal
The chemistry: off the friggin chain! Even meeting at thirteen and fifteen, for James and Malcolm respectively, there were sparks and it continued throughout the twenty year span. And the explosion on finally coming together? Worth it!!! As Mal said: "I could be insatiable. Uncontrollable. For you."
The Character development: Can you say growth spurt and hallelujah! The author did not make this simple, but she allowed her characters to fester and suffer and learn the ere of their ways and discover that there was better and happiness and LIFE. I watched James, even as he uttered: "There's something broken inside me," knew he had so much more growing to do. I journeyed with him as he stopped feeling the least and unwanted and grow into a man worthy of love and affection. I watched Mal put away his wanderlust and decide to be open and willing to share his secrets. 5 awesome stars. This was truly a man up theme.
The ending: I loved that loving was never easy and would never be simple and that Mal's issue would never just go away but he was willing to accept others in his life knowing and ready to offer a helping hand if needs be. I really enjoyed how the news of James's and Mal's get together threw their friends for a loop considering their constant bickering. And I love that despite it all, no matter how unpleasant, all one had to do was be open to communication.
This may not be the type of review you are used to coming from me, but I was looking for words, and this is what came to me. I had something else as I read, but I think this is my only and final draft. [LOL] But never fear, as you see, my favorite quotes still made an impact. Both James and Malcolm make me want to tattoo the words on my body: "New beginnings are the best."
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
October 2, 2018
Oh my I felt the anticipation and buzz for James’ story everywhere on social media. It was intense – and had me madly curious to get my hands on it too. I may not have read all of Felice Stevens’ Man Up series so far (I know, shame on me), but reading James’ story … let’s just say I got an inkling what the fuss was all about. Swoon!
Such a wonderful, emotional and riveting story – a love story twenty years in the making. Stories that span such a long period of time always have me anxious and pining after all the time they lost instead of just getting their act together. It’s bittersweet and just … ungh. I hate to love these stories. So, so much.
And James and Mal did tear my heart to pieces pretty badly. The knowledge that Ms. Stevens would somehow salvage everything is what kept me going instead of throwing my ereader in frustration. But the flashbacks to the events that shaped James – complicated and somewhat rude and angry at the world – and Malcolm – a fun-loving player – into the men they are today were very much needed, no matter how much it hurt me to read about it.
Both heroes are so terribly lonely, and keeping up a façade, hiding a part of who they really are, hating each other’s guts for so long. They both have their reasons, of course and below both their armors lay men both so vulnerable and deserved to be loved, it broke my heart. If only they got their act together quicker … Le sigh.
Yes, I am still torn, and loving these two as much as I did, it shouldn’t come as a surprise it hurt me so much. This one truly is an emotional roller coaster and one of the best – if not THE best – Felice Stevens book out there. The chemistry is epic – all that pent-up tension that finally explodes… wowza! – , the storyline one to pull you under and keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time with this enemies to lovers romance and a HEA that came all but easy…
Such a wonderful, emotional and riveting story – a love story twenty years in the making. Stories that span such a long period of time always have me anxious and pining after all the time they lost instead of just getting their act together. It’s bittersweet and just … ungh. I hate to love these stories. So, so much.
And James and Mal did tear my heart to pieces pretty badly. The knowledge that Ms. Stevens would somehow salvage everything is what kept me going instead of throwing my ereader in frustration. But the flashbacks to the events that shaped James – complicated and somewhat rude and angry at the world – and Malcolm – a fun-loving player – into the men they are today were very much needed, no matter how much it hurt me to read about it.
Both heroes are so terribly lonely, and keeping up a façade, hiding a part of who they really are, hating each other’s guts for so long. They both have their reasons, of course and below both their armors lay men both so vulnerable and deserved to be loved, it broke my heart. If only they got their act together quicker … Le sigh.
Yes, I am still torn, and loving these two as much as I did, it shouldn’t come as a surprise it hurt me so much. This one truly is an emotional roller coaster and one of the best – if not THE best – Felice Stevens book out there. The chemistry is epic – all that pent-up tension that finally explodes… wowza! – , the storyline one to pull you under and keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time with this enemies to lovers romance and a HEA that came all but easy…
October 1, 2018
I was provided an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
James is 13 when his mother dies and he moves to New York with his estranged father and his brother, Rhoades.
Except his brother never knew he even existed and isn't really ready to accept him with open arms.
Enters Malcolm, Rhoades's best friend. He really wants everyone to get along.
The story, I felt, was weirdly constructed. It starts as James is 13. It then jumps 7 years, then another 2 years, then again 7, another 3 more and finally one more year. And only after that, the chapter count starts... But that was already 18% of the book...
Anyway, I guess that weirded me out.
Still, I got over it and the story carried me. I really wanted to know what came next and I read it quickly...
I'm not sure how I felt about the characters though, nor their relationship...
I mean I liked the world and the characters were likable, and often relatable but I didn't fall for them, they didn't make me feel all that much... Their relationship was interesting but I felt like it lingered too much at first then picked up too fast...
I did really enjoy the family drama though. And the friendships. And the club scenes.
The plot also kept me on my toes...
All in all, an unconventional, interesting read. I'll probably check out the other books in this series.
James is 13 when his mother dies and he moves to New York with his estranged father and his brother, Rhoades.
Except his brother never knew he even existed and isn't really ready to accept him with open arms.
Enters Malcolm, Rhoades's best friend. He really wants everyone to get along.
The story, I felt, was weirdly constructed. It starts as James is 13. It then jumps 7 years, then another 2 years, then again 7, another 3 more and finally one more year. And only after that, the chapter count starts... But that was already 18% of the book...
Anyway, I guess that weirded me out.
Still, I got over it and the story carried me. I really wanted to know what came next and I read it quickly...
I'm not sure how I felt about the characters though, nor their relationship...
I mean I liked the world and the characters were likable, and often relatable but I didn't fall for them, they didn't make me feel all that much... Their relationship was interesting but I felt like it lingered too much at first then picked up too fast...
I did really enjoy the family drama though. And the friendships. And the club scenes.
The plot also kept me on my toes...
All in all, an unconventional, interesting read. I'll probably check out the other books in this series.
June 15, 2022
hate the push and pull. low steam?? when mc got together it was very underwhelming. the transition from hate to love was questionable and instalove??? no cute moments memorable. i only read this book in the series because i wanted to meet the couple from two daddies for christmas. i also dont like how they talk to each other and how they acted. they seem very immature. and that secret past again by the author. kinda tiring. guess this is it. ill stop reading books from this author for now. ive read enough i guess.
September 24, 2018
What a book. I couldn't wait for James book & I got to tell you it was so worth the wait. My heart hurt for James so many times & I wanted to hug him hard, I cried for him so many times, he had it hard but it landed him his success. Mal, I wanted to kick his butt many times & I didn't like him right away, it was over halfway through the book before I decided to like him. But once Mal was nice & not getting James on the go & became his real self I started to love him, but I love James more. The book was fantastic from the start even through all the tears, by the end I was smiling with happy tears. You do not want to miss out on reading this book!
October 3, 2018
I have read all of the books in this series. I thought that Cort and Harlan were my fave, but James and Malcolm did it for me. I loved them so much! We knew James had alot of anger, but once we get the full story, my heart broke for him. Malcolm was an interesting character. Being Rhoades' best friend, who knew he had a little story of his own. The to of them together over a span of 20 years was amazing. The anger, the hurt, the friendship and the love.. all the feels.
Felice knocked this one out of the park, and I cant wait to see what she has in store for us! <3.
Felice knocked this one out of the park, and I cant wait to see what she has in store for us! <3.
October 2, 2018
We’ve all been waiting on the edge of our seats for the story of the enigmatic owner of Man Up, and James - Uncontrollable didn’t disappoint! This story had it’s fill of tension and angst, with an enemies to lovers theme that as you might expect led to some scorching, passionate, emotion-filled scenes—plenty to keep me glued to the pages and reading this book straight through.
James didn’t have it easy early in life, and with his (and Rhoades’) father being the jerk that he was, it’s no wonder James took the path he did to become who his is today. Driven to be as successful as possible—just to show his now-gone father that he’s turned out to be more than he expected—and to help others who are at-risk or down on their luck, in the process he’s cut himself off from feeling anything for anyone on a personal, intimate level. Unless those feelings include loathing and hatred…
Malcolm comes across as a typical trust fund playboy, a love ‘em and leave ‘em type who travels the world partying and pursuing physical pleasures without a care. Looks can be deceiving though, and he has things in his personal life that he hides from even those closest to him. He’s an expert at pushing all of James’s buttons, and has been doing so for a long time.
A large part of the first half of the book focuses on James becoming who he is now, and how things between him, Malcolm, and his half-brother Rhoades get to where they are. That means a great deal of the tension and angst right up front, giving the story a rough edge until James and Malcolm show signs of giving in to what’s been building up between them for so long. Even once they do, James still keeps trying to push back…thank goodness Malcolm is the persistent sort! And all of those high-strung emotions naturally give way to a great deal of passion and intensity between them.
Once they do get together, it did feel to me like things progressed pretty fast to the point when they were declaring their feelings, so while the first two-thirds or so of the book went at a more even, steady pace the last part felt more accelerated. This could be due to the intensity of things between Malcolm and James once they finally give in to their pent-up feelings, but even so it still felt a bit fast to me. But I did like that not only was James finally finding what he needed with Malcolm, he also was working on resolving the built-up tension and hard feelings between him and Rhoades going back to when they first met.
James - Uncontrollable was a solid 4-star read for me, and I really enjoyed finally getting to know the story behind the man who made Man Up possible. There’s so much more to him—and Malcolm—than you might expect, and watching the battle between them as their relationship evolves was pretty entertaining. While you could read this as a standalone, I would recommend reading the series in order to get the most enjoyment out of it. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
James didn’t have it easy early in life, and with his (and Rhoades’) father being the jerk that he was, it’s no wonder James took the path he did to become who his is today. Driven to be as successful as possible—just to show his now-gone father that he’s turned out to be more than he expected—and to help others who are at-risk or down on their luck, in the process he’s cut himself off from feeling anything for anyone on a personal, intimate level. Unless those feelings include loathing and hatred…
Malcolm comes across as a typical trust fund playboy, a love ‘em and leave ‘em type who travels the world partying and pursuing physical pleasures without a care. Looks can be deceiving though, and he has things in his personal life that he hides from even those closest to him. He’s an expert at pushing all of James’s buttons, and has been doing so for a long time.
A large part of the first half of the book focuses on James becoming who he is now, and how things between him, Malcolm, and his half-brother Rhoades get to where they are. That means a great deal of the tension and angst right up front, giving the story a rough edge until James and Malcolm show signs of giving in to what’s been building up between them for so long. Even once they do, James still keeps trying to push back…thank goodness Malcolm is the persistent sort! And all of those high-strung emotions naturally give way to a great deal of passion and intensity between them.
Once they do get together, it did feel to me like things progressed pretty fast to the point when they were declaring their feelings, so while the first two-thirds or so of the book went at a more even, steady pace the last part felt more accelerated. This could be due to the intensity of things between Malcolm and James once they finally give in to their pent-up feelings, but even so it still felt a bit fast to me. But I did like that not only was James finally finding what he needed with Malcolm, he also was working on resolving the built-up tension and hard feelings between him and Rhoades going back to when they first met.
James - Uncontrollable was a solid 4-star read for me, and I really enjoyed finally getting to know the story behind the man who made Man Up possible. There’s so much more to him—and Malcolm—than you might expect, and watching the battle between them as their relationship evolves was pretty entertaining. While you could read this as a standalone, I would recommend reading the series in order to get the most enjoyment out of it. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
January 27, 2019
WOW WOW WOW.. I have been waiting for what seems like forever for James and Mal's story, and Felice so far exceeded my high expectations!! 💕 I loved every single word! The feels were off the charts!! I had one hand pushing on my heart the entire time!! The dialogue was just so PERFECT. A truly gorgeous, beautifully written enemies to lovers, love story! I experienced a myriad of emotions reading this book, but in the end I was left with a huge smile on my face and such a feeling of pure joy!! I love all of these men Felice has created in the Man Up world, but James and Mal have literally stolen my heart!! ❤️ *LE SIGH* Congratulations Felice on what I think is your best yet!!
May 4, 2020
Mal and Jamie 🖤
Finally Mal and Jamie’s story! I knew it was going to be explosive and sexy af but also wonderful and heartfelt. We get to see Jamie as a young boy and everything he had to go through, but also why his and Rhoades relationship was so stilted and forced.
I just loved this!
Only reason I gave this 4 starts was because the whole come here and then push away got old fast.
Finally Mal and Jamie’s story! I knew it was going to be explosive and sexy af but also wonderful and heartfelt. We get to see Jamie as a young boy and everything he had to go through, but also why his and Rhoades relationship was so stilted and forced.
I just loved this!
Only reason I gave this 4 starts was because the whole come here and then push away got old fast.
January 31, 2019
James and Mal!!!!!!!! Wow! Wow!Wow!!!!!!
October 2, 2018
Since Felice started this series I have been wondering what happened between James and Malcolm and she gives us their story. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.
I knew their story was a good one but Felice blew me away.
Enemies to lovers is my favorite genre to read . She gave me everything I loved and more.
When Malcolm and James go from despising each other to loving each other it is epic. Their back-and-forth fighting will just be foreplay to them in the long run . Seeing James let go of all his hate in order to let Malcolm love him is breathtaking to read .
Mal is Rhoades best friend and he saw what having James brought into his life did to him. James is Rhoades half brother and when he showed up in his life his life was never the same.
Rhoades father has an affair with James's mother and when she died she told him that he would take care of him. James goes to his father only to find that he doesn't want him in his family. James grows up knowing that his brother doesn't want him around either.
James does his best to show everyone he doesn't care but deep down he wants someone to want him.
Malcolm wants to help James get past his family problems but he has no such luck. James knows that he is Rhoades best friend but was hoping he was his too. James realizes that he the only one who can take care of himself and does just that. He main objective is to show his father that he can make it on his own.
Through the years James has never had a relationship with is brother but that has changed and he wants Rhoades in his life but it is hard to get past the hurt. James has never opened up and let anyone in so he has been lonely his whole life. Mal tried to become his friend was he was younger but James just pushed him away.
James has open his clubs to help other gay boys find a safe place to thrive and James is like a big brother to them. He would do anything to help them but keeps himself closed off.
When Mal is in the picture their chemistry is off the charts but James won't admit that it isn't hate he fells for Mal. But boy of boy when James admits he feels something more for Mal and lets him in, you will cheer. Mal has his own issues to deal with about his health that he never told anyone. He doesn't want people to feel sorry for pity for him so he lives life to the fullest. Once his feelings for James come to light, he opens up a whole new world for himself.
My favorite line from the story is:
“You want romance, Jamie? I’ll give it to you. What we have together was inevitable. Like the sun rising or the stars scattered in constellations high in the night sky. What I feel for you—the passion, the desire, the love—it’s uncontrollable. I’m uncontrollable whenever I’m around you.” He kissed me again, softer now, and murmured against my lips, “How was that?”
I am so sorry that this is the end of this series and I wish Felice would write about more of the men from Man up...…
*ARC provided by Felice Stevens in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jodi from Alpha Book Club
I knew their story was a good one but Felice blew me away.
Enemies to lovers is my favorite genre to read . She gave me everything I loved and more.
When Malcolm and James go from despising each other to loving each other it is epic. Their back-and-forth fighting will just be foreplay to them in the long run . Seeing James let go of all his hate in order to let Malcolm love him is breathtaking to read .
Mal is Rhoades best friend and he saw what having James brought into his life did to him. James is Rhoades half brother and when he showed up in his life his life was never the same.
Rhoades father has an affair with James's mother and when she died she told him that he would take care of him. James goes to his father only to find that he doesn't want him in his family. James grows up knowing that his brother doesn't want him around either.
James does his best to show everyone he doesn't care but deep down he wants someone to want him.
Malcolm wants to help James get past his family problems but he has no such luck. James knows that he is Rhoades best friend but was hoping he was his too. James realizes that he the only one who can take care of himself and does just that. He main objective is to show his father that he can make it on his own.
Through the years James has never had a relationship with is brother but that has changed and he wants Rhoades in his life but it is hard to get past the hurt. James has never opened up and let anyone in so he has been lonely his whole life. Mal tried to become his friend was he was younger but James just pushed him away.
James has open his clubs to help other gay boys find a safe place to thrive and James is like a big brother to them. He would do anything to help them but keeps himself closed off.
When Mal is in the picture their chemistry is off the charts but James won't admit that it isn't hate he fells for Mal. But boy of boy when James admits he feels something more for Mal and lets him in, you will cheer. Mal has his own issues to deal with about his health that he never told anyone. He doesn't want people to feel sorry for pity for him so he lives life to the fullest. Once his feelings for James come to light, he opens up a whole new world for himself.
My favorite line from the story is:
“You want romance, Jamie? I’ll give it to you. What we have together was inevitable. Like the sun rising or the stars scattered in constellations high in the night sky. What I feel for you—the passion, the desire, the love—it’s uncontrollable. I’m uncontrollable whenever I’m around you.” He kissed me again, softer now, and murmured against my lips, “How was that?”
I am so sorry that this is the end of this series and I wish Felice would write about more of the men from Man up...…
*ARC provided by Felice Stevens in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jodi from Alpha Book Club
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