Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Published: September 13th 2012
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Caution: May contain spoilers
How it all started…
One day I was a high school teacher on summer break, leading a relatively uneventful but happy life. Or so I told myself. Later, I’d question that, as I would question pretty much everything I knew about me, my relationships, and my desires. It all began when my neighbor thrust a key to a storage unit at me. She’d bought it to make extra money after watching some storage auction show. Now she was on her way to the airport to elope with a man she barely knew, and she needed me to clear out the unit before the lease expired.
Soon, I was standing inside a small room that held the intimate details of another woman’s life, feeling uncomfortable, as if I was invading her privacy. Why had she let these items so neatly packed, possessions that she clearly cared about deeply, be lost at an auction? Driven to find out by some unnamed force, I began to dig, to discover this woman’s life, and yes, read her journals—-dark, erotic journals that I had no business reading. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I read on obsessively, living out fantasies through her words that I’d never dare experience on my own, compelled by the three men in her life, none of whom had names. I read onward until the last terrifying dark entry left me certain that something had happened to this woman. I had to find her and be sure she was okay.
Before long, I was taking her job for the summer at the art gallery, living her life, and she was nowhere to be found. I was becoming someone I didn’t know. I was becoming her.
The dark, passion it becomes…
Now, I am working at a prestigious gallery, where I have always dreamed of being, and I’ve been delivered to the doorstep of several men, allof which I envision as one I’ve read about in the journal. But there is one man that will call to me, that will awaken me in ways I never believed possible. That man is the ruggedly sexy artist, Chris Merit, who wants to paint me. He is rich and famous, and dark in ways I shouldn’t find intriguing, but I do. I so do. I don’t understand why his dark side appeals to me, but the attraction between us is rich with velvety promises of satisfaction. Chris is dark, and so are his desires, but I cannot turn away. He is damaged beneath his confident good looks and need for control, and in some way, I feel he needs me. I need him.
All I know for certain is that he knows me like I don’t even know me, and he says I know him. Still, I keep asking myself — do I know him? Did he know her, the journal writer, and where is she? And why doesn’t it seem to matter anymore? There is just him and me, and the burn for more.
My Thoughts:
I heard lots of great things about this book. I debated for awhile whether I wanted to give it a chance or not. When it came up on NetGalley, I thought it would be a good time to check it out, see if it is as good as the hype. And while it is good, it didn't blow me away like I expected.
Don't get me wrong, it's intriguing in many ways. From the journals Sara reads to the romantic adventures Sara takes, it can definitely suck you in. I'm not exactly sure what it was about it that I couldn't get into. Maybe because it was too dark for me, too detailed to the point where I would sometimes start skimming a little bit for something interesting to happen. There are definitely some great and steamy scenes, and a whole lot of mystery. You never know what to expect.
If I Were You is sexy and intense. Lisa Renee Jones writes exceptionally well. I think that's part of what saved the story for me--the writing and intensity of it. Maybe part of it was because my expectations were very high going into it and I set myself up for failure. Doesn't make the story any less interesting. I may pick up the next book at some point (because cliffhangers). If you enjoy darker romances, this will be right up your alley.
My Rating:
Aw bummer it didn't do more for you. I loved this one but I was also on it before it really became a "thing" so didn't have any hype to set me up. That really can do you in. Plus the dark bits weren't too much for me. I'd read darker so wasn't too put off by them. Hope if you give the next a try it works better for ya!
ReplyDeleteI really think it was the hype--I would like to pick another one along these lines up at some point just to see how it goes. I'm sure I can get into it more, I just have to give it a shot!
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