lattes_literacy's review against another edition
5.0
All of Me
A.L. Jackson did it again! I was so connected to this story that I could hardly put it down. It took me less than 24 hours to read this.
I was reeled in from the start. Wanting to know all the things about Ian and Grace. I related to Ian in a deep way. This is the second series of A.L Jackson’s where some of her storylines mirrored or were similar to my thing that happened in my life at some point.
I continue to love the author’s writing style. The way she goes back and forth throughout their lives is brilliant. I feel they are some of the most important parts of her stories.
A.L. Jackson did it again! I was so connected to this story that I could hardly put it down. It took me less than 24 hours to read this.
I was reeled in from the start. Wanting to know all the things about Ian and Grace. I related to Ian in a deep way. This is the second series of A.L Jackson’s where some of her storylines mirrored or were similar to my thing that happened in my life at some point.
I continue to love the author’s writing style. The way she goes back and forth throughout their lives is brilliant. I feel they are some of the most important parts of her stories.
jenrich26's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I never quite felt a love connection between Jace and Grace, I felt the lust for sure and at times I felt like that was overdone. I very much enjoyed the kids in this book, Thomas especially. I liked the suspense in the second half, I did figure out some of what was going to happen and I am looking forward to hearing more in Mack's book.
syndi3's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am not really a big fan of Miss Jackson. Her writing has so much sorrow and not enough humor or happiness. Reading/ listening to her story makes me sad. With an anxiety disorder, I have to be very careful picking up her books.
All of Me is the first book I read on the series. The audio book has been flying around on my radar, but I somehow putting it off. As expected the book is full of sorrow. The writing is sonnet. Each words is stacked in that way so I can feel the max pressure of that sorrow. I feel so hard for Ian. Such a broken hero. His soul longing for redemption for all his sins in the past. While Grace is that perfect angel of savior. Both colliding into each other world without realizing their fate is sealed.
I love to see how Ian transforms into the man he destined to be. And with Grace by his side, they finally get their HEA. Again as Miss Jackson signature, the story is alive with her writing. Overall I do enjoy this book more that I expect. After all we all deserves a hero/ heroine to save us all.
All of Me is the first book I read on the series. The audio book has been flying around on my radar, but I somehow putting it off. As expected the book is full of sorrow. The writing is sonnet. Each words is stacked in that way so I can feel the max pressure of that sorrow. I feel so hard for Ian. Such a broken hero. His soul longing for redemption for all his sins in the past. While Grace is that perfect angel of savior. Both colliding into each other world without realizing their fate is sealed.
I love to see how Ian transforms into the man he destined to be. And with Grace by his side, they finally get their HEA. Again as Miss Jackson signature, the story is alive with her writing. Overall I do enjoy this book more that I expect. After all we all deserves a hero/ heroine to save us all.
gabbysreading's review against another edition
5.0
5+ stars!!
All of Me completely blew me away!! It was simply stunning. Beautifully written with the right amount of angst, love and drama. There was also a forbidden element that I couldn’t get enough of. It's been more than a week since finishing this book and I'm still not over it. If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. Some of A.L. Jackson’s best work!
A.L. Jackson showed no mercy on my emotions. It was one punch to the feels after another. There were a couple times where I was so overwhelmed by everything I was reading that I was forced to put my kindle down and regroup. I straight up ugly cried my way through most of this story. So worth it though. Gah! Just thinking about it is stirring up all those emotions again. Such a good book.
When we first met Ian Jacobs in More of You, he had a dark bad boy aura surrounding him. I knew his story was going to rock my world. I was right. This guilt ridden, driven bad boy who so inherently good just won my heart. His constant battle with himself over wanting Grace but knowing he shouldn’t have her built an absolute delicious tension. I loved his connection with her. It was definitely an instant attraction but it didn’t feel like cheesy instalove story. Their connection was full of passion and want and heart. The forbiddenness of their relationship only elevated the story. A.L. Jackson did a great job making these characters so well rounded. If you are looking for a heroine who is all strength, heart and determination, then let me direct you towards Grace Dearborne. She’s my favorite character in this story. Although I really really loved Ian, I loved Grace more. When she was close to losing everything she fought harder. Her relationship with her children and the dedication to them is so beautiful. Love, love, loved her.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s just so freaking good. This Confession of the Heart series is some of my favorite work from this author. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
All of Me completely blew me away!! It was simply stunning. Beautifully written with the right amount of angst, love and drama. There was also a forbidden element that I couldn’t get enough of. It's been more than a week since finishing this book and I'm still not over it. If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. Some of A.L. Jackson’s best work!
A.L. Jackson showed no mercy on my emotions. It was one punch to the feels after another. There were a couple times where I was so overwhelmed by everything I was reading that I was forced to put my kindle down and regroup. I straight up ugly cried my way through most of this story. So worth it though. Gah! Just thinking about it is stirring up all those emotions again. Such a good book.
When we first met Ian Jacobs in More of You, he had a dark bad boy aura surrounding him. I knew his story was going to rock my world. I was right. This guilt ridden, driven bad boy who so inherently good just won my heart. His constant battle with himself over wanting Grace but knowing he shouldn’t have her built an absolute delicious tension. I loved his connection with her. It was definitely an instant attraction but it didn’t feel like cheesy instalove story. Their connection was full of passion and want and heart. The forbiddenness of their relationship only elevated the story. A.L. Jackson did a great job making these characters so well rounded. If you are looking for a heroine who is all strength, heart and determination, then let me direct you towards Grace Dearborne. She’s my favorite character in this story. Although I really really loved Ian, I loved Grace more. When she was close to losing everything she fought harder. Her relationship with her children and the dedication to them is so beautiful. Love, love, loved her.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s just so freaking good. This Confession of the Heart series is some of my favorite work from this author. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
All of Me is the second book in the Confessions of the Heart series by the fabulous and talented AL Jackson. First, let me say that this book is one of my favorites of hers. Second, Ian is definitely one of my favorite heroes of hers right next to Jared. Third, AL Jackson is one of the finest writers there is. The way she uses words, feelings, emotions, to make you hold your breath, gasp in relief, choke out a sob and smile. Just when you think your heart can't take anymore, she adds something. A word. A whisper. A look. It beats out of your chest and lands in your hands and then she puts it back for you and it swells to twice its size. My heart had already been beating for Ian Jacobs before I read his story. After meeting him in More of You, I knew his story was going to slice me open and leave me panting for air. He's so broken, battered and hates himself. He sees things in himself that no one else sees. His brother Jace and his wife Faith and his best friend Mack love him unconditionally. He doesn't think he deserves it. He's the devil. He doesn’t need anyone. Until he sees Grace from across the room. He doesn't just want her. He needs her. He can't stop thinking about her and that's dangerous. She could be the thing to ruin him. He already knows he'll ruin her. But he can't stay away. The pull is too powerful. The chemistry too hot. Grace can't take chances with her own heart. She has little hearts depending on her. She needs help. She needs a good lawyer, a wish and a prayer. But she's off limits to him personally once he's agreed to help her. He gets deeper and deeper inside her situation and there's no way out. There's danger all around and he's vowed to protect her and the people she loves. What happens when the worst scenario becomes truth? Will Ian be the man he's always meant to be? Show the world that he's not the devil? I can't even express how fantastic this story is! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldn't hold back the sobs and tears and I thought I was going to have a panic attack at the end! Amy never disappoints and I know she's going to give me what I need in the end, but she's always going to put my heart though the ringer first. Ian Jacobs owns me. Period.
"Men like you should come with a warning."
"I think it's a woman like you who bears all the threat."
"How's that?"
"You're so sweet that you don't have the first clue just how dangerous you really are."
"Men like you should come with a warning."
"I think it's a woman like you who bears all the threat."
"How's that?"
"You're so sweet that you don't have the first clue just how dangerous you really are."
_chroniclesofabookworm_'s review against another edition
5.0
Overall opinion:
This book was everything. I thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover!
Brief storyline summary:
Ian is one of the most powerful attorneys in Charleston. He's closed off to anything resembling love and is dead set on what his future holds and the goals he's set to enure that it happens. Then Grace appears like a dream and leaves him wanting more. She's off limits and forbidden, yet he sleeps with her anyways. She needs him to represent her and despite the possibility of losing everything, he still can't stay away.
POV:
Dual - Male MC and Female MC
Overall pace of the story:
Captivating and constant from the first to last pages.
Tropes:
Small Town
Single Parent
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity
Alpha/Anti Hero
Damsel in Distress (sort of)
Dark Past
Character Rating:
Ian - 5⭐️ for being an absolutely perfect male MC. He was broody, charming, bold, wounded and all the good stuff in between.
Grace - 5⭐️ for being such a badass. She was protective, kind, forgiving, optimistic and was the perfect match for Ian.
Sadness level:
1.5/5
This book was everything. I thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover!
Brief storyline summary:
Ian is one of the most powerful attorneys in Charleston. He's closed off to anything resembling love and is dead set on what his future holds and the goals he's set to enure that it happens. Then Grace appears like a dream and leaves him wanting more. She's off limits and forbidden, yet he sleeps with her anyways. She needs him to represent her and despite the possibility of losing everything, he still can't stay away.
POV:
Dual - Male MC and Female MC
Overall pace of the story:
Captivating and constant from the first to last pages.
Tropes:
Small Town
Single Parent
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity
Alpha/Anti Hero
Damsel in Distress (sort of)
Dark Past
Character Rating:
Ian - 5⭐️ for being an absolutely perfect male MC. He was broody, charming, bold, wounded and all the good stuff in between.
Grace - 5⭐️ for being such a badass. She was protective, kind, forgiving, optimistic and was the perfect match for Ian.
Sadness level:
1.5/5
bobsvoid's review against another edition
5.0
"What were you doing there that night?"
I looked at him, hoping he'd understand. "I was taking a chance, Ian. I was stepping out taking a chance. Praying someone might see me. Might listen. And when I looked up, what I found was you."
Love and romance are such complex things aren't they? There is this notion that love should be easy and quick. Most people who have been in love know otherwise. Love isn't a pretty feeling that looks like a Valentine's day ad. Love can be painful and cruel. All of Me is a romance that is full of angst that details the challenges that come when you fall in love.
Sometimes two people will come together and that love will look like the ones you see in the movies, the ones people dream about. It can be simple and fulfilling and doesn't take much work to get to that happily ever after. However, All of Me doesn't show us that kind of love. It shows us how raw it is and can be. It depicts people who don't want to be in love and fight with all they have to avoid it.
Loving someone might be masochistic. You put your heart on the line knowing there's a chance it can break. Intentionally or not isn't the point. A.L. Jackson gives love stories that follow two people who go through the cruelties that love offers. In the end it might not always end up great, but the possibility that it could is always worth it. Sometimes falling in love is as inevitable as the sun rising in the morning.
"Kisses are forever, and only for the ones you love most."
If there is someone who knows fear it's Grace. She's a dreamer and believes in fairytales even though she's living in a nightmare. She knows all about the dangers that loves brings. Yet, one night when she tries to fight for herself she connects with a man. A man who she knows is dangerous and has a heart that beats wrong. But Grace learns that it beats perfectly with hers.
Ian is a man that has seen too much darkness in the world that he's lost faith in almost everything except for his brother. He's wicked and everything a good woman should avoid. He knows this, but he can't help but want what he can't have. He's not the hero of the story, but all he wants is to save his Angel Girl.
Love isn't always peaceful and sometimes it's not kind. Sometimes two people are only meant to be together in another life. Regardless, this story teaches us that love is worth the challenges that come with it. Love can make you a better person. Sometimes the darkest nights can be saved by the hero. And sometimes that hero has some stains on his armor.
"You're going to ruin me, Angel Girl."
"And you're going to save me."