Book Review – Pure Abandon by Jeannine Colette

Pure Abandon
Well… I really liked it!!! It read like some of our well-written favorite “forbidden angsty romance” books (had that solid, intense feel). I wasn’t out of my mind addicted, but I was into it enough that I realized I wasn’t skimming a thing. I was invested, and sinking into her entourage and living and seeing everything through her eyes without too much second guessing.

I was enjoying the whole thing playing out, even though I knew this was gonna get ugly.

Michelle: WHOA…I’m very pleasantly surprised by Pure Abandon! I put it down a few days ago because of work, not that it wasn’t very good but the last half was a landslide of emotion and angst and just WOW…absolutely could not put it down! Anyone who liked Arsen this was very close to those feels for me and I LOVED it! I also thought I had it figured out but was wrong about a lot. I loved My Time in the Affair but for those who thought you didn’t get to know both men enough to feel conflicted, Pure Abandon nails it and oh how the ending is a happy heartbreak! Floating in a book fog for sure!

Cheryl: I LOVED Pure Abandon, but it didn’t “gut-kick” me as hard as Arsen, although Asher and Arsen have many similarities.

Lisa:  Whirlwind reading today!! Just finished Pure Abandon!!! Omg omg omg!!! So freaking good! The kind of book you would be chewing your fingernails all the way through, if I did that I don’t thank goodness!! Read it Maryse!!!

Michelle: Jean I loved Pure Abandon… I actually liked how her emotions were all over…the abrupt realization that she had progressed to those new feelings felt real to me. It was different than how some other books are written that she had to ‘do’ in order to figure out the ‘feel’ part of the equation. I can relate to that myself…not the whole cheating part…maybe if I met someone like Alex…I mean no, NO…lalala

Cristina: Maryse I loved Pure Abandon! Those types of stories just rip my heart in two! The ending was expected, but still broke my heart. Reckless Abandon was a really great read too! I can’t wait to read your book review of Pure Abandon.  

Amy: *sets down Pure Abandon* *covers face with pillow* *kicks feet and screeches* Alright…now that THAT’S out of the way, I can continue. *picks up Pure Abandon again*

Grey: Pure abandon…giving me the angsty twisty pretzel tummy, 43 percent in… *covers my eyes*

Anne: Finished Pure Abandon and loved it! I am seriously in love with Alex. He is just perfect!

Interestingly enough, it’s a nice slow burn, and takes a GOOD portion of the story before the *whoops* temptation really starts kicking in, and you know what? I appreciated that. It made everyone’s feelings and intentions feel real. Attraction to someone doesn’t always need to result in succumbing to it. Even working with someone closely doesn’t necessarily become anything more than a crush, unless things aren’t quite right elsewhere.

And that’s another thing I respected in this story. That even though things at home weren’t quite right (obviously so) it wasn’t disastrous, either. They were both in love, both good people, just both a bit… tired. Part due to being overworked, part due to the care of their infant son.

I am unequivocally, madly in-love with my husband and son.

Though, sometimes, I question the husband part when I hear the words, “It’s your turn.”

Self absorbed, at times… taking each other for granted. You now the drill.

‘Cause you know, there are times in stories where it is SO obvious the heroine needs to move on, or needs help (yes, maybe even being rescued) to live a good life that she deserves. In my opinion, this kind of “affair” doesn’t always seem so wrong, especially if she’s been abused up until then, you know? There’s MUCH more validity in accepting that kind of… marital betrayal.

But this? This was full on… risqué, to me. There are little tidbits that might make you agree with her, though, but I guess it depends on which way you’re leaning. Definitely enough turbulence to turn a few adamantly “against-this-kind-of-read” readers off, but in a way… (in. a. wayyyyyyyyyyyyy) it was almost (alllmooooost) understandable. You’ll see. But then again… I won’t tell you who’s side I was on, and what team I was on, but you might be surprised.

I’m standing on a corner in the rain. How did I get here? How did I come to this point in the road?

SO I hesitate in saying her “stepping out” was understandable. I won’t divulge more than that, but overall, she was not being abused or  controlled, and her husband seemed pretty darn awesome, but… I’ll let you discover the nooks and crannies that might have you nodding along with her, in her loneliness.

My body halts for a second at the realization of her words. I don’t want to make assumptions but isn’t it odd for a married man to be running with a pretty blonde?

So what’s it about?

Kathryn and Gabriel have been married for 10 years and met (and fell head-over-heels in love) in college. Both gorgeous, successful career oriented people (he’s a lawyer, and she works in publicity/event planning), they have something pretty… solid, and living a “good life”. That said, a year into the birth of their first child, Kathryn is itching to go back to work, even though Gabriel is making plenty enough to support them (and then some!). What with his long hours and all. You get where this is going.

He’s not 100% on board with the idea of having their child reared by a nanny so they can both work,

“How can you possibly expect me to be comfortable having a stranger home with Jack all day?” He looks back at me for a reaction. “It doesn’t even make sense financially. Between the cost of the nanny and the price for commuting, it’s just not worth it.” Gabriel has been against me returning to work. He loves me at home with the baby. I understand his concern, but I can’t take him pressing the issue again.

but he IS supportive of his wife, and tells her to give it a year and see where it leads.

That said, both having long hours, and grueling projects leads to some lonely nights and weeks (months?) without intimacy, and well… her debonaire, charitable CEO and business mogul boss (and the accidental, hilarious way they met, that kind of broke the “tension” right off the bat) is certainly hard to resist. Especially when they become friends. Actual friends.

“That’s exactly what I like about you. You’re taken. You have no interest in me and I have absolutely no interest in you. I can relax. Be myself. I know you’re not after anything.”

The kind that blows the other employees minds when he leaves his “penthouse” office to work (actually WORK!!!) for hours with her, in her office. People are no longer just “coming to him”… he is actively participating, and she is his right hand.

WHOA. It is so much fun, but so MUCH TROUBLE!!!! And I will leave it there, and let you see where this goes. Did I mention there’s a book #2? This one DOES NOT end on a cliffhanger, mind you, but that lets you know that there is more to the story. Who’s story? My lips are sealed.

P.S. I wasn’t 100% in love with the reveal/mini twist (I get it… but was irked), and the more or less rushed-ish ending… and the outcome. Actually I *did* like the outcome, I just needed more (maybe much more) in that regard.

Grey: Finished Pure Abandon… I’m real torn on this one. It was headed toward a solid 5 until like the last 20 percent of the book, then I felt it was too rushed and almost like it completely switched tracks.

Amy: I finished Pure Abandon and… *bites lip* It had a couple of HOT moments and made me pretty anxious at some points, but the minor to moderate irritations I had were numerous enough to make it a 3 star for me. 

Still though, it was well laid out to form a complete story, leaving no question.

Until you realize what #2 is about. *snort*   Actually I do have a few questions. A suspicion… now. Thanks a lot Amy!!!!

Michelle: For those thinking about trying Pure Abandon, do not look at the next book in the series coming out or that will spoil the book BIG time! You need the shocker of her choices for it to hit home.

LisaM: I just finished Reckless Abandon!!! I’m not sure which one I liked better Pure Abandon or Reckless Abandon. Both books were absolutely incredible!!! Maryse send these books to the top of your tbr list!!!

4 stars!

Tagged as: 4 stars, forbidden love or risqué, infidelity, marital strife, office romance, slow burn