What do you think?
Rate this book
Unwritten Rules
Energetic, independent Elle has found her weakness in the shy, reclusive, young man next door. Jonah Quinn is withdrawn for good reason; he harbors a dark secret. Can one night of passion between the two of them lead to more than casual glances exchanged at their mailboxes? Will Elle be strong enough to help Jonah with his personal demons. And will Jonah break his silence regarding a past that haunts him? The Rules for this relationship are Unwritten. A story of longing, love, and forgiveness.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 2011
17 people are currently reading
3472 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Stacie
15 books406 followersM. A. Stacie is never without a book or her eReader. A voracious reader, with a love of sexy, yet angst ridden novels, she loves getting lost in new worlds. Her need to write did not grip her until after her second son was born, when her previous rambles became fully fledged stories.
She describes herself as one huge contradiction, and though not the most conventional of hobbies, she counts getting new tattoos as one of hers. Along with running, knitting, and listening to loud music. However, she is yet to work out how to do them all at the same time.
M. A. Stacie lives in the UK with her husband and three sons.
She describes herself as one huge contradiction, and though not the most conventional of hobbies, she counts getting new tattoos as one of hers. Along with running, knitting, and listening to loud music. However, she is yet to work out how to do them all at the same time.
M. A. Stacie lives in the UK with her husband and three sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
October 23, 2012
Adult review for erotic content
Take a guess as to which moment maxed out the meter for me :
What I needed was a sexorcism.
I was acting like a stalker.
I took a lung full of his scent and closed my eyes.
"Do you have my pussy? Oh God, cat!"
I whimpered. Jonah hissed.
"I promise, no more," he rumbled as I tried to spear myself onto him.
A slight tang floated in the air with a hint of his muskiness. It made my mouth water.
I needed a taste of him. I was like an addict craving a fix.
Seriously. Take a guess. I bet it's not that hard if you know me at all.
The whimpering and hissing wasn't the only emoting that was going on here. Within a two page spread, I came across a snort, a wiggled eyebrow, a giggle, a croon and a pout. Then on another page, there was panting, gasping, whispering, moaning, and snarling, as well as actions ranging from clawing, pulsing, twitching and lancing. On one page! If there was something to emote, these characters were doing it!
Can I mention one of the un-sexiest sex scenes that I've ever read?
I was having difficulty breathing and reluctantly moved my lips from his, burying my face in the crook of his neck. His scent was stronger there. *pause* Is it normal to go all bloodhound in the middle of sex and sniff around for where a person's "essence" is stronger? *and back to the scene* I felt myself become wetter with each breath I took *pause* Arousal is tied to breathing? *and back to scene* Jonah felt it too, because he groaned and began to pump into me with force. *pause* For some reason now, I'm picturing Jonah as Pavlov's dog, only responding unless certain stimuli is present. *and back to scene* We became a mixture of thrusts, moans, kisses, and sighs. *pause* Yes, let's just throw all of the emotes into one sentence, so we can rush through this bland scene and get to the next one.
I also have a question for you brave souls still reading this review. Has anyone ever been intoxicated by this? He tasted of toothpaste with a hint of the coffee he'd taken a small sip of. It was intoxicating. I wonder what happens when he mixes chocolate and gum? Does she fall out from sheer bliss?
So should I even talk about the story itself?
The story was okay. I didn't think it was the worst romance I'd ever read, but I was slightly disappointed. The first several chapters were about stalking and wanting and forging chemistry. The music aspect was downplayed, to my disappointment. The second half of the book was about Jonah's "issues" and how much crap Elle would put up with for the sake of caring for Jonah.
In a way, I got what was going on, but failed to care. The ups and downs didn't give me any sort of roller-coaster effect but there was drama in strange places at times. I did respect Elle for recognizing that her relationship with Jonah would always be a work in progress because of how severely he had damaged himself mentally. Often, we don't see books take responsibility for how extreme a problem is and how things aren't always as easily fixed as we'd like them to be. For this, I did respect the story.
It appears that most of my friends really loved this book, so my initial findings in the first few chapters (I'm not kidding, all of that cringe-worthy stuff came about within the first few chapters...after a while I quit highlighting in the determination to focus on the moment) might have not been as much of an issue for other people.
If you like books featuring damaged heroes and the women who help them work through their issues, then you might truly enjoy Unwritten Rules. He is tattooed and a musician, so that always counts for something, right? There were a few saving moments that made me at least go for a 2 star rating. I didn't hate this one....it just wasn't particularly my type of shindig.
Take a guess as to which moment maxed out the meter for me :
What I needed was a sexorcism.
I was acting like a stalker.
I took a lung full of his scent and closed my eyes.
"Do you have my pussy? Oh God, cat!"
I whimpered. Jonah hissed.
"I promise, no more," he rumbled as I tried to spear myself onto him.
A slight tang floated in the air with a hint of his muskiness. It made my mouth water.
I needed a taste of him. I was like an addict craving a fix.
Seriously. Take a guess. I bet it's not that hard if you know me at all.
The whimpering and hissing wasn't the only emoting that was going on here. Within a two page spread, I came across a snort, a wiggled eyebrow, a giggle, a croon and a pout. Then on another page, there was panting, gasping, whispering, moaning, and snarling, as well as actions ranging from clawing, pulsing, twitching and lancing. On one page! If there was something to emote, these characters were doing it!
Can I mention one of the un-sexiest sex scenes that I've ever read?
I was having difficulty breathing and reluctantly moved my lips from his, burying my face in the crook of his neck. His scent was stronger there. *pause* Is it normal to go all bloodhound in the middle of sex and sniff around for where a person's "essence" is stronger? *and back to the scene* I felt myself become wetter with each breath I took *pause* Arousal is tied to breathing? *and back to scene* Jonah felt it too, because he groaned and began to pump into me with force. *pause* For some reason now, I'm picturing Jonah as Pavlov's dog, only responding unless certain stimuli is present. *and back to scene* We became a mixture of thrusts, moans, kisses, and sighs. *pause* Yes, let's just throw all of the emotes into one sentence, so we can rush through this bland scene and get to the next one.
I also have a question for you brave souls still reading this review. Has anyone ever been intoxicated by this? He tasted of toothpaste with a hint of the coffee he'd taken a small sip of. It was intoxicating. I wonder what happens when he mixes chocolate and gum? Does she fall out from sheer bliss?
So should I even talk about the story itself?
The story was okay. I didn't think it was the worst romance I'd ever read, but I was slightly disappointed. The first several chapters were about stalking and wanting and forging chemistry. The music aspect was downplayed, to my disappointment. The second half of the book was about Jonah's "issues" and how much crap Elle would put up with for the sake of caring for Jonah.
In a way, I got what was going on, but failed to care. The ups and downs didn't give me any sort of roller-coaster effect but there was drama in strange places at times. I did respect Elle for recognizing that her relationship with Jonah would always be a work in progress because of how severely he had damaged himself mentally. Often, we don't see books take responsibility for how extreme a problem is and how things aren't always as easily fixed as we'd like them to be. For this, I did respect the story.
It appears that most of my friends really loved this book, so my initial findings in the first few chapters (I'm not kidding, all of that cringe-worthy stuff came about within the first few chapters...after a while I quit highlighting in the determination to focus on the moment) might have not been as much of an issue for other people.
If you like books featuring damaged heroes and the women who help them work through their issues, then you might truly enjoy Unwritten Rules. He is tattooed and a musician, so that always counts for something, right? There were a few saving moments that made me at least go for a 2 star rating. I didn't hate this one....it just wasn't particularly my type of shindig.
December 3, 2011
Awe!! *sniffles* I wanna pass-out and be re-awakened by Jonah. *sighs*
Elle is intrigued and very well interested in her neighbor Jonah. Jonah lives in the apartment above hers,they run into each other almost everyday while retrieving their mail. But never once spoke to one another. There's something about Jonah she can't quite put her finger on.All she cares is that her, Blue-Eyed Neighbor swoons her with just his presence. I'd wanna jump on him the minute he says "Hi" too! I got all hot and bothered when he finally drops his shield and interacts with Elle. I gotta admit, I was shocked and relieved. Lol!! Her fantasies about this Man are blush worthy. Just think, "tattoos,muscular,quiet,shy,he plays the guitar (magical fingers, Lolz!) and an artists! (good with hands haha) Elle only notices his outer shell and not what's within. She's on a mission to satisfy her crush and there's only one way to cure it, to have sex with Jonah.
Elle and Jonah are destined for one another. Their relationship starts off with lust and hot smexin. Then they realize, There's more to their relationship, so they take it down a notch (or try) and become friends. Jonah is a tortured man with his own Demons.Which causes, rejections,tears,heartache and distance between them. Does Elle really want this kind of baggage in a man? Is it worth it? Can she handle it?Can she bring him back to reality? Can she show Jonah how much more in life he's missing out on? Can he forgive himself and move forward? These are all questions that reveal so much about Jonah,you will feel the need to wanna cuddle him and try to fix him. But you can't fix someone who doesn't want fixing, right? Well Elle proves to be one stubborn women, she doesn't give up till she says it over. There are no rules, it's just all about taking one step at time.When Jonah pushes her away,she fights back. There's only one problem, there's only so much a woman could take from a man she's falling in love with.Do they make it together through thick and thin at the end? Is there an HEA? Well, I know the answer but I'm not telling *waving answer in air* If you found my review/thoughts interesting enough, go get a copy and read it. I'll just give you one hint, "Cherish those you love,you'll be surprised with the outcome."
This review can also be reviewed at http://samsawesomness.blogspot.com/20...
Elle is intrigued and very well interested in her neighbor Jonah. Jonah lives in the apartment above hers,they run into each other almost everyday while retrieving their mail. But never once spoke to one another. There's something about Jonah she can't quite put her finger on.All she cares is that her, Blue-Eyed Neighbor swoons her with just his presence. I'd wanna jump on him the minute he says "Hi" too! I got all hot and bothered when he finally drops his shield and interacts with Elle. I gotta admit, I was shocked and relieved. Lol!! Her fantasies about this Man are blush worthy. Just think, "tattoos,muscular,quiet,shy,he plays the guitar (magical fingers, Lolz!) and an artists! (good with hands haha) Elle only notices his outer shell and not what's within. She's on a mission to satisfy her crush and there's only one way to cure it, to have sex with Jonah.
Elle and Jonah are destined for one another. Their relationship starts off with lust and hot smexin. Then they realize, There's more to their relationship, so they take it down a notch (or try) and become friends. Jonah is a tortured man with his own Demons.Which causes, rejections,tears,heartache and distance between them. Does Elle really want this kind of baggage in a man? Is it worth it? Can she handle it?Can she bring him back to reality? Can she show Jonah how much more in life he's missing out on? Can he forgive himself and move forward? These are all questions that reveal so much about Jonah,you will feel the need to wanna cuddle him and try to fix him. But you can't fix someone who doesn't want fixing, right? Well Elle proves to be one stubborn women, she doesn't give up till she says it over. There are no rules, it's just all about taking one step at time.When Jonah pushes her away,she fights back. There's only one problem, there's only so much a woman could take from a man she's falling in love with.Do they make it together through thick and thin at the end? Is there an HEA? Well, I know the answer but I'm not telling *waving answer in air* If you found my review/thoughts interesting enough, go get a copy and read it. I'll just give you one hint, "Cherish those you love,you'll be surprised with the outcome."
This review can also be reviewed at http://samsawesomness.blogspot.com/20...
January 1, 2012
Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars
Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie appeared to be a promising and engaging novel, but unfortunately it wasn’t as great as I thought it would be. I was hoping for something a little better and a little more captivating. Overall, I felt the story was missing something magical to make this book great rather than just okay.
In Unwritten Rules, Elle and Jonah jump feet first into a sudden relationship after several chance meetings in their apartment complex and an obvious attraction between the two. Their beginning proves to be too much too fast and Elle finds herself in over her head when she peals away the layers of her quiet, shy neighbor Jonah Quinn.
There were a couple of issues I had with the main character Elle. I didn’t care for the way she accused Jonah of being “on drugs” when he had clearly explained it was prescribed medication for an illness. It was almost like she chose to ignore his truthful confession and brand him as a bad boy. Sure he had a lot of issues, but being a druggie wasn’t one of them. I also felt that Elle was sort of rude and dismissive to her older neighbor Mrs. Kindle. She was such a sweet lady that only showed concern for Elle and she chose to treat her as a pesky neighbor. So in the end, I really couldn’t connect or care too much for Elle. As far as Jonah Quinn, he proves that there is a fine line between hot mess and delicate, unstable chore. I do give credit to Elle for sticking by his side, because I surely would have run for the hills and not looked back.
Overall, this story had potential, but it fell slightly short of winning me over. Not completely disappointed, just not awed in any form or fashion. Well this officially closes out my 2011 reading list. Not a bad year. :)
Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie appeared to be a promising and engaging novel, but unfortunately it wasn’t as great as I thought it would be. I was hoping for something a little better and a little more captivating. Overall, I felt the story was missing something magical to make this book great rather than just okay.
In Unwritten Rules, Elle and Jonah jump feet first into a sudden relationship after several chance meetings in their apartment complex and an obvious attraction between the two. Their beginning proves to be too much too fast and Elle finds herself in over her head when she peals away the layers of her quiet, shy neighbor Jonah Quinn.
There were a couple of issues I had with the main character Elle. I didn’t care for the way she accused Jonah of being “on drugs” when he had clearly explained it was prescribed medication for an illness. It was almost like she chose to ignore his truthful confession and brand him as a bad boy. Sure he had a lot of issues, but being a druggie wasn’t one of them. I also felt that Elle was sort of rude and dismissive to her older neighbor Mrs. Kindle. She was such a sweet lady that only showed concern for Elle and she chose to treat her as a pesky neighbor. So in the end, I really couldn’t connect or care too much for Elle. As far as Jonah Quinn, he proves that there is a fine line between hot mess and delicate, unstable chore. I do give credit to Elle for sticking by his side, because I surely would have run for the hills and not looked back.
Overall, this story had potential, but it fell slightly short of winning me over. Not completely disappointed, just not awed in any form or fashion. Well this officially closes out my 2011 reading list. Not a bad year. :)
September 25, 2011
I took a deep breath, toying with my keys again, before blurting out, “Do you have my pussy? Oh God, cat! Do you have my cat?”
2 Stars
This book was soooo repetitive. I don't know how many times the same subject came up or the same lines were said but just in different orders. I thought I was going crazy at first and I kept trying to go back pages to make sure the text wasn't just cut and re-pasted. Now don't get me wrong it wasn't a terrible book but it needed work.
Sundays became my least favorite day of the week. There was no mail.
Elle and Jonah are neighbors and have been tiptoeing around each other for ages when they go to get their mail each day. Until one day a certain situation forces them to interact more. I felt like Jonah was bipolar, his mood swings were insane. One minute he was shy and couldn't stop blushing the next he is being cruel and telling Elle to get out, he has a lot of emotional baggage so I could understand once or twice but not the tenth time, it got old very quickly. Elle wasn't much better, she would be understanding and give him space to work out some of his problems then 5 minutes later demand why he wasn't opening up to her, at times she was extremely insensitive and annoying.
But when they got their relationship right it was extremely sweet and I loved them together even if it was a little cliche at times. Now I love emotional drama in books but this book I was sighing in frustration and more than eager for them to make up and quite whining. And don't get me started on J.J. her 'supposed' best friend, pffffft what a laugh. She was manipulate and nasty towards Elle when she's trying to explain her relationship problems and forced her to go on a date with some guy she really wasn't interesting in. If I had a friend like that I would bitch-slap some sense into her. No offense to those who enjoyed the book but I really could have done without it.
2 Stars
This book was soooo repetitive. I don't know how many times the same subject came up or the same lines were said but just in different orders. I thought I was going crazy at first and I kept trying to go back pages to make sure the text wasn't just cut and re-pasted. Now don't get me wrong it wasn't a terrible book but it needed work.
Sundays became my least favorite day of the week. There was no mail.
Elle and Jonah are neighbors and have been tiptoeing around each other for ages when they go to get their mail each day. Until one day a certain situation forces them to interact more. I felt like Jonah was bipolar, his mood swings were insane. One minute he was shy and couldn't stop blushing the next he is being cruel and telling Elle to get out, he has a lot of emotional baggage so I could understand once or twice but not the tenth time, it got old very quickly. Elle wasn't much better, she would be understanding and give him space to work out some of his problems then 5 minutes later demand why he wasn't opening up to her, at times she was extremely insensitive and annoying.
But when they got their relationship right it was extremely sweet and I loved them together even if it was a little cliche at times. Now I love emotional drama in books but this book I was sighing in frustration and more than eager for them to make up and quite whining. And don't get me started on J.J. her 'supposed' best friend, pffffft what a laugh. She was manipulate and nasty towards Elle when she's trying to explain her relationship problems and forced her to go on a date with some guy she really wasn't interesting in. If I had a friend like that I would bitch-slap some sense into her. No offense to those who enjoyed the book but I really could have done without it.
January 15, 2017
01/14/2017 -
Jonah Quinn - Hero
Elle - Heroine
I LOVED the premise, but I think the execution of the book was poor.
The heroine stated that she wanted to have a one night stand to get over Jonah, but after Jonah and she had sex, she was mad that she shared a part of her body, but he would not share his secret. Elle got on my nerves. I did not have to hear about how active she was with other men or how she brought two other men to her childhood bedroom. Stuff like that did not have to be mentioned (which I felt) repeatedly. I get it...Elle was NOT a virgin!!
Elle and her BFF were two of the most annoying women. I don't like that Elle told J.J. (her BFF) Jonah's secret. A secret he had only told one other person. It was not her secret to tell even if she needed to "talk" to someone. For a 30 year old women, Elle was immature and self righteous. The author wanted to make her appear as this loving, caring, and thoughtful person, but after finishing this book, I felt it was an act. One word FAKE!! I wanted J.J. and her to go away.
Jonah was this tortured soul, but I just did not feel anything for him by the time he told his secret. I lost my connection to everyone by the time Elle forced the secret out of him.
The sex verbiage was redundant.
I loved the premise and the way the heroine and hero was should have made them likable, but I just could not connect.
I regret paying the $.99 and wasting my precious reading time. My opinion. You may love this one.
01/06/17 - Looks like the price of this is $.99. I am going to read this one now. Taking a chance by not reading a sample and simply clicking "buy".
08/2015 -$9.49 on Amazon for kindle version?? A bit pricey.
Jonah Quinn - Hero
Elle - Heroine
I LOVED the premise, but I think the execution of the book was poor.
The heroine stated that she wanted to have a one night stand to get over Jonah, but after Jonah and she had sex, she was mad that she shared a part of her body, but he would not share his secret. Elle got on my nerves. I did not have to hear about how active she was with other men or how she brought two other men to her childhood bedroom. Stuff like that did not have to be mentioned (which I felt) repeatedly. I get it...Elle was NOT a virgin!!
Elle and her BFF were two of the most annoying women. I don't like that Elle told J.J. (her BFF) Jonah's secret. A secret he had only told one other person. It was not her secret to tell even if she needed to "talk" to someone. For a 30 year old women, Elle was immature and self righteous. The author wanted to make her appear as this loving, caring, and thoughtful person, but after finishing this book, I felt it was an act. One word FAKE!! I wanted J.J. and her to go away.
Jonah was this tortured soul, but I just did not feel anything for him by the time he told his secret. I lost my connection to everyone by the time Elle forced the secret out of him.
The sex verbiage was redundant.
I loved the premise and the way the heroine and hero was should have made them likable, but I just could not connect.
I regret paying the $.99 and wasting my precious reading time. My opinion. You may love this one.
01/06/17 - Looks like the price of this is $.99. I am going to read this one now. Taking a chance by not reading a sample and simply clicking "buy".
08/2015 -$9.49 on Amazon for kindle version?? A bit pricey.
August 29, 2012
Oh be still my beating heart! Jonah Quinn - yet another fictional character to fictionally fall for!
Fantastic book with an actual resolution - It is sometimes nice to have the instant gratification of a satisfactory beginning, middle and end in one book rather than having to enforce delayed gratification over a series such as in twilight / FSOG/ crossfire etc. Saying that, come on M.A. Stacie - more JQ novels please!!!
Fantastic book with an actual resolution - It is sometimes nice to have the instant gratification of a satisfactory beginning, middle and end in one book rather than having to enforce delayed gratification over a series such as in twilight / FSOG/ crossfire etc. Saying that, come on M.A. Stacie - more JQ novels please!!!
June 24, 2011
“Oh God, help me!” is right! Jonah and Elle have an electric connection that will pull you in immediately and leave you gasping for more. Despite his overt darkness, Jonah’s allure is palpable and we are swept up along with Elle, and find ourselves eagerly urging them along - even as we see the potential for heartbreak. Jonah’s quiet nature, beautifully inked skin, and heroic nature cast him as a man worthy of the very graphic novels he creates. Add to that a talent as a dark, sexy night club singer and we find ourselves vibrating as deeply as one of his guitar strings.
Elle’s equally quiet, but amazingly insightful and compassionate nature is the perfect complement, the light to his dark, the hope for his despair, and together they are more than the sum of their individual parts. The story has you jumping in head first to an intensely captivating journey into Jonah’s mysterious past. We start to fall in love with these two just as quickly as they fall for each other. We yearn to know just who Jonah Quinn is and just what it is about his mercurial moods we find so attractive. His initial shyness will suck you in before his commanding strength keeps you yearning for more and filling you with the same wanton abandon as the characters. To sum it up in a few words, I found it: raw, passionate, tortured, hopeful and deliciously erotic. This is definitely a story that fills the reader with an almost tangible excitement from the start.
Elle’s equally quiet, but amazingly insightful and compassionate nature is the perfect complement, the light to his dark, the hope for his despair, and together they are more than the sum of their individual parts. The story has you jumping in head first to an intensely captivating journey into Jonah’s mysterious past. We start to fall in love with these two just as quickly as they fall for each other. We yearn to know just who Jonah Quinn is and just what it is about his mercurial moods we find so attractive. His initial shyness will suck you in before his commanding strength keeps you yearning for more and filling you with the same wanton abandon as the characters. To sum it up in a few words, I found it: raw, passionate, tortured, hopeful and deliciously erotic. This is definitely a story that fills the reader with an almost tangible excitement from the start.
December 7, 2011
Let me start off by saying that I liked this book, for the most part. I disliked the heroine, Elle immensely. I thought she was immature, a bit shallow and pretty much unlikable from about chapter three on…
Please don’t let that stop you from reading, Jonah more than makes up for her. He is a true tortured hero with a painful past that puts him in self exile from everyone who loves him. His only real way of coping is through medication.
I really tried to understand the reason behind Elle's behavior regarding Jonah's secrets. She was so contradictory at times. She begs him to tell her his past and what causes the pain. When he opens up a little, she never seems to like the answer or the way he tells her. She runs several times after he tells her something…note to self …don’t beg someone to revel a horrible part of their past and say "oh you can trust me I'll understand", then run away when he gives you what you wanted and takes your words of trust at face value. Not a good way to earn the trust. He gives her a letter trying to explain everything. He bares his soul in the only way he knows how, and she slaps him down because it is not how she wanted him to tell her. Really, that is all you have to say…
Jonah tells her up front that he is not a people person and that relationships are hard for him. He is honest with her and all she can say is that he is lame for feeling that way and he hurt her….HUH, it's not about you. Get over yourself would you please. She manages to almost ruin the book for me. BUT and it is a big BUT, there is a turning point when the couple leaves NYC, Elle seems to grow up a little and stops the petulant little girl routine I began to see her for the successful 30 yr old web designer she was supposed to be.
Instead of belittling Jonah for not giving her the answers she wants, she basically tells him that yes you made a horrible mistake, but you are worthy of forgiveness. It is up to him to go and get that forgiveness from the people he hurt. She becomes his rock, his support system and he begins to forgive himself and allows himself the love he is worthy of. Elle does a bit of a turn around, she redeems herself and in the end this story made me smile.
It is a dark tale of redemption and starting over, and how love makes the impossible seem possible…
Please don’t let that stop you from reading, Jonah more than makes up for her. He is a true tortured hero with a painful past that puts him in self exile from everyone who loves him. His only real way of coping is through medication.
I really tried to understand the reason behind Elle's behavior regarding Jonah's secrets. She was so contradictory at times. She begs him to tell her his past and what causes the pain. When he opens up a little, she never seems to like the answer or the way he tells her. She runs several times after he tells her something…note to self …don’t beg someone to revel a horrible part of their past and say "oh you can trust me I'll understand", then run away when he gives you what you wanted and takes your words of trust at face value. Not a good way to earn the trust. He gives her a letter trying to explain everything. He bares his soul in the only way he knows how, and she slaps him down because it is not how she wanted him to tell her. Really, that is all you have to say…
Jonah tells her up front that he is not a people person and that relationships are hard for him. He is honest with her and all she can say is that he is lame for feeling that way and he hurt her….HUH, it's not about you. Get over yourself would you please. She manages to almost ruin the book for me. BUT and it is a big BUT, there is a turning point when the couple leaves NYC, Elle seems to grow up a little and stops the petulant little girl routine I began to see her for the successful 30 yr old web designer she was supposed to be.
Instead of belittling Jonah for not giving her the answers she wants, she basically tells him that yes you made a horrible mistake, but you are worthy of forgiveness. It is up to him to go and get that forgiveness from the people he hurt. She becomes his rock, his support system and he begins to forgive himself and allows himself the love he is worthy of. Elle does a bit of a turn around, she redeems herself and in the end this story made me smile.
It is a dark tale of redemption and starting over, and how love makes the impossible seem possible…
February 20, 2012
Ok, so I read this book and it was so hard. So, so, so hard! God, this guy - Jonah. I don't know what to think about it. He's been hurting and torturing himself for TEN effing YEARS. That's just too long to suffer for an accidental mistake. The book was so emotional and heart wrenching. And the girl - Elle - You. Have. My. Deepest. Respect woman!
I ask myself the question - Would I have been strong enough and willing enough to keep pushing, to keep going and trying - to stay with him and help him? I honestly don't know. But Elle is a true example of a person who would stick to the one she truly cares about, one who is not a family to you but a neighbor, a friend, someone you fell in love with despite all his vulnerability, devastation and complexity.
This is not just a story about falling in love, it's a story about getting to know that person, his flaws and weaknesses, a story about mistakes we make in our life and how one moment decides it all, but above all - it's a story about forgiveness and acceptance and loving a person unconditionally.
Forget that Jonah is a hot, tattooed musician and artist, that is not important - that doesn't make the relationship work - he's a person who needed love, care, patience and a little boost. He needed Elle. And he got her. :)
PS:
I ask myself the question - Would I have been strong enough and willing enough to keep pushing, to keep going and trying - to stay with him and help him? I honestly don't know. But Elle is a true example of a person who would stick to the one she truly cares about, one who is not a family to you but a neighbor, a friend, someone you fell in love with despite all his vulnerability, devastation and complexity.
This is not just a story about falling in love, it's a story about getting to know that person, his flaws and weaknesses, a story about mistakes we make in our life and how one moment decides it all, but above all - it's a story about forgiveness and acceptance and loving a person unconditionally.
Forget that Jonah is a hot, tattooed musician and artist, that is not important - that doesn't make the relationship work - he's a person who needed love, care, patience and a little boost. He needed Elle. And he got her. :)
PS:
September 19, 2011
I don't know what to say about this book...it may be a little predictable but I don't care. I enjoyed every second of it.
Jonah is a sexy,mysterious musician with some issues who draws graphic novels. How cool is that? What girl doesn't like to fix a broken hunk? :D
I can't even write something meaningful that will attract people to read it. Wait! There are nice not over the top sex scenes. Just the way I like it.
Jonah is a sexy,mysterious musician with some issues who draws graphic novels. How cool is that? What girl doesn't like to fix a broken hunk? :D
I can't even write something meaningful that will attract people to read it. Wait! There are nice not over the top sex scenes. Just the way I like it.
September 22, 2011
i'll make this short. what's not to love in a guy who has a dark secret, perplexing, has hot tattoos, a graphic artist and a musician? no wonder elle wants to fix his past, hell i'll do the same. enough said. to find out just read this....now!
July 26, 2011
The book Unwritten Rules deals with some heavy stuff. A young man separated from his family by choice for reasons that don't become clear until you get further into the story, determined to not let anyone get beyond the walls he has erected around himself. Jonah has some horrible secrets he is intent to keep to himself. Devulging those secrets to anyone only means that they will leave him - or so he thinks.
Enter Elle, a web designer, who is intrigued by this shy man she meets at the mailboxes in their apartment building, and who lives right above her. She listens to the music coming from his apartment, the piano and the guitar. She begins to engineer those mail meetings, just to catch a glimpse of him. Unbeknownst to her (since this is all told in Elle's POV), Jonah is doing the same thing.
They meet. A lot. And one day Jonah says Hi. The story basically takes off from there, with Elle exhibiting some creepy stalker behavior for a moment when she attends a club where she knows Jonah's band will play.
Their relationship is off to a rocky start because Jonah won't tell Elle was is haunting him. He doesn't really lie - he just chooses not to answer any questions she poses in regards to who he is. He won't let her in, so to speak.
Of course, the fact that they have sex (twice) before even getting to know each other is plain stupid on both their parts. Jonah seems to use sex as an escape, as a means to shut himself off, and Elle is so attracted to him that she stops being rational whenever he touches her. This begs the question if her character is realistic. I don't know that anyone would be so emotionally stunted at 30 that they can't control their sexual urges, against their better judgment. I can buy the first time. The 2nd encounter, not so much.
And that's part of why I can only give this book 3 stars. While the plot idea is excellent, the characters' development doesn't keep pace. It's hard to put into words what I felt while reading, but I never really connected with them. And at some point it became predictable. There was no other way to end it.
The grand finale of the story should have given me goosebumps and made me tear up, based on the subject matter, but it didn't. I felt disconnected the whole time. The writing is telling me emotions, not making me feel them. It feels stilted on occasion, often too descriptive, and then in other areas doesn't delve deep enough to really make me care about these characters.
Even the supporting characters feel flat. JJ annoyed me for a while, but her sudden change didn't make sense to me.
I'm marking this as erotica because the sex scenes are explicit.
Would I read another book by this author? The answer is YES. While this wasn't the best I've ever read, it also wasn't the worst. I was able to put it down when I had to but the plot did make me want to come back and read it to conclusion.
And a word to the editor: This book has too many spelling errors and wrong words. I didn't make a list, but every time I saw one of these errors, it made me wonder if any editing was done by this publisher. A couple of misspelling, I can overlook. Nobody is perfect. Unfortunately, this went beyond a couple. I'm not blaming the author, mind you, as this is the job of the editor.
Also, at $7.99 this is priced a bit high for a first offering of an unknown author. Yes, I paid it because I wanted to read the book but similar first books are available on various websites for much less.
Enter Elle, a web designer, who is intrigued by this shy man she meets at the mailboxes in their apartment building, and who lives right above her. She listens to the music coming from his apartment, the piano and the guitar. She begins to engineer those mail meetings, just to catch a glimpse of him. Unbeknownst to her (since this is all told in Elle's POV), Jonah is doing the same thing.
They meet. A lot. And one day Jonah says Hi. The story basically takes off from there, with Elle exhibiting some creepy stalker behavior for a moment when she attends a club where she knows Jonah's band will play.
Their relationship is off to a rocky start because Jonah won't tell Elle was is haunting him. He doesn't really lie - he just chooses not to answer any questions she poses in regards to who he is. He won't let her in, so to speak.
Of course, the fact that they have sex (twice) before even getting to know each other is plain stupid on both their parts. Jonah seems to use sex as an escape, as a means to shut himself off, and Elle is so attracted to him that she stops being rational whenever he touches her. This begs the question if her character is realistic. I don't know that anyone would be so emotionally stunted at 30 that they can't control their sexual urges, against their better judgment. I can buy the first time. The 2nd encounter, not so much.
And that's part of why I can only give this book 3 stars. While the plot idea is excellent, the characters' development doesn't keep pace. It's hard to put into words what I felt while reading, but I never really connected with them. And at some point it became predictable. There was no other way to end it.
The grand finale of the story should have given me goosebumps and made me tear up, based on the subject matter, but it didn't. I felt disconnected the whole time. The writing is telling me emotions, not making me feel them. It feels stilted on occasion, often too descriptive, and then in other areas doesn't delve deep enough to really make me care about these characters.
Even the supporting characters feel flat. JJ annoyed me for a while, but her sudden change didn't make sense to me.
I'm marking this as erotica because the sex scenes are explicit.
Would I read another book by this author? The answer is YES. While this wasn't the best I've ever read, it also wasn't the worst. I was able to put it down when I had to but the plot did make me want to come back and read it to conclusion.
And a word to the editor: This book has too many spelling errors and wrong words. I didn't make a list, but every time I saw one of these errors, it made me wonder if any editing was done by this publisher. A couple of misspelling, I can overlook. Nobody is perfect. Unfortunately, this went beyond a couple. I'm not blaming the author, mind you, as this is the job of the editor.
Also, at $7.99 this is priced a bit high for a first offering of an unknown author. Yes, I paid it because I wanted to read the book but similar first books are available on various websites for much less.
May 20, 2011
M. A. Stacie describes this book as “A story of longing, love, and forgiveness” and that is exactly what it is.
Down to earth Elle, website designer spends much of her time dreaming of the man she sees at the mailboxes each day, carefully planning so that she will get just that moment to see him. I know this feeling, I doubt if there is any woman alive that hasn’t known this feeling at least once in their life. To want just that one moment longer to look at that person, to wish, to wonder whether it is a stranger or the guy in the office next to you. You crave that just once more look and maybe just one little conversation.
Little does Elle know that when she finally has a reason to speak to Jonah that her world would change so much. As Elle and Jonah evolve, the trials and tribulations they encounter are so realistic and heart wrenching that you can literally feel the emotion coming off the pages between them.
People dealing with depression and anxiety go through a lot, and so do the people who care for them. This is made very obvious in the story that M.A. Stacie gently spells out.
Passion that will make your toes curl, humor that will cause your eyes to tear and love that will break your heart and bind it back together is what you will encounter in this wonderful love story that touches so close to home for many of us.
Well written with excellent dialog. This story could have ended much sooner, but the author continued with it to fill in what would come next. I appreciated that as I often wonder what the author had in mind for the characters once the writing ends.
Truly a wonderful story and one I will share with my friends.
Down to earth Elle, website designer spends much of her time dreaming of the man she sees at the mailboxes each day, carefully planning so that she will get just that moment to see him. I know this feeling, I doubt if there is any woman alive that hasn’t known this feeling at least once in their life. To want just that one moment longer to look at that person, to wish, to wonder whether it is a stranger or the guy in the office next to you. You crave that just once more look and maybe just one little conversation.
Little does Elle know that when she finally has a reason to speak to Jonah that her world would change so much. As Elle and Jonah evolve, the trials and tribulations they encounter are so realistic and heart wrenching that you can literally feel the emotion coming off the pages between them.
People dealing with depression and anxiety go through a lot, and so do the people who care for them. This is made very obvious in the story that M.A. Stacie gently spells out.
Passion that will make your toes curl, humor that will cause your eyes to tear and love that will break your heart and bind it back together is what you will encounter in this wonderful love story that touches so close to home for many of us.
Well written with excellent dialog. This story could have ended much sooner, but the author continued with it to fill in what would come next. I appreciated that as I often wonder what the author had in mind for the characters once the writing ends.
Truly a wonderful story and one I will share with my friends.
July 28, 2012
hmm not sure what to think about this book on one hand some of the emotions and feelings feel real and you can feel the heat between them when they are close and the kissing scenes are sizzling and so are the sexscenes
BUT and there really is a big BUT...the female character Elle is not likeable at all until close to the very end..
she is basically a bitch...she's known him for a few days maybe a week I can't even remember and I just read the damn book (I'm talking knowing not stalking here)... goes “snooping” and demands answers regarding something she finds...she demands answers because she feels wronged and betrayed otherwise...eh say what...do you tell everything to someone you just met...
she push and push and push and when he finally tells her
This book left more irritation then feel good vibes behind when I finished...
Jonah was a sweetheart though--made the book berable
BUT and there really is a big BUT...the female character Elle is not likeable at all until close to the very end..
she is basically a bitch...she's known him for a few days maybe a week I can't even remember and I just read the damn book (I'm talking knowing not stalking here)... goes “snooping” and demands answers regarding something she finds...she demands answers because she feels wronged and betrayed otherwise...eh say what...do you tell everything to someone you just met...
she push and push and push and when he finally tells her
This book left more irritation then feel good vibes behind when I finished...
Jonah was a sweetheart though--made the book berable
March 7, 2011
Oh how I loved this book....
A very well written, intense love story that was literally impossible to put down. Stacie incorporated some of my favorite things; Music, Art and a beautiful, sexy, complicated man with hot tattoos. An addictive page- turner for sure!
A very well written, intense love story that was literally impossible to put down. Stacie incorporated some of my favorite things; Music, Art and a beautiful, sexy, complicated man with hot tattoos. An addictive page- turner for sure!
February 22, 2013
I should explain the two star rating since I really did like the story. There were just some things I could not overlook when reading this. This is an adult book but I felt like it belonged in the New Adult genre. Elle is 30 years old but sounds more like a 19-23 year old woman. Her inner dialogue was pretty amusing but it was really immature. I will get back to Elle because there is more that I want to say but I also want to get some other stuff out of the way.
Okay first, Elle's "best friend" was really judgmental in my opinion. It's good to be that way sometimes when you feel like your friend is making bad decisions but it's also good to try to be supportive. There is a difference between being blunt or straight forward and just being rude and snobby. J.J. was just a character that didn't fit. She was rarely there and the few times that she was there she was really negative. When she broke up with her boyfriend and joined Elle and Jonah for the holidays I thought, okay maybe now I will see a bit more of what her character is about. Nope. She was absent and withdrawn and then all of the sudden she realized breaking up with her boyfriend was a huge mistake and goes off with him. I still do not care for her character at all.
**SOME SPOILERS BELOW**
As far as the relationship between Elle and Jonah, there were some really good moments and there were just some that just never got there. It starts with Elle noticing Jonah at the mailboxes where she lives and then she is obsessed. It was borderline stalkerish. I was a little creeped out tbh. Everything was Jonah, Jonah, Jonah. By chapter 4 they are having sex. When Elle wakes up the next morning and Jonah isn't there she flips out. Um, what did you think was going to happen? You hardly know the guy! They hardly even spoke to each other. Her inner monologue was just exhausting at times. Their relationship was very much based on sex in my opinion. Even when they were building an emotional relationship, it was rushed and then they were sleeping together again.
The writing isn't bad but there were multiple times where Stacie skips over details just to get to the bigger parts of the story. For example, we know that Jonah is a musician. After he and Elle sleep together Elle finds out from some girls at a coffee shop that he is in a band. Okay, that's cool Elle is going to go see him play. He basically sings one song just staring at her, jumps off stage and then they are back together. We hardly hear of his music career again. But I thought he had a lot of groupie's and was supposed to be a big deal? Well he is but you never get to see it. What I'm trying to say is that Stacie rushes certain parts of the story that really shouldn't be rushed. She mentions something and we are supposed to take her word for it without her mentioning it again.
Now back to Elle.. She was so frustrating sometimes. Are you sure she is 30? I know 30 is not that old, but seriously that doesn't sound right. She is just so childish or maybe immature is a better word. When she first found out about Jonah's "secret" I swore she was partially deaf! The scene basically went like this..
Elle finds the meds. She freaks out because they aren't in Jonah's name. She confronts him about it. He is upset. Elle feels like she deserves answers because they have slept together twice. He doesn't want to tell her but gives in and tells her they are his. She says they're obviously not because they aren't in his name. Jonah is then like, are you sure it isn't my name? and she is like no -My first thought at this point is well, if all the med bottle are all in the same name then it isn't as sketchy as them all being under different names- but of course she doesn't consider that. '"I've told you that they're mine," he replies..' and she is like, '"too late. I understand that you're a private person... I can't do this, Jonah. I won't do this."
So she leaves, a few minutes later she rushes to him after hearing him having an anxiety attack, which btw was not portrayed accurately. It was more of a panic attack.
"You're kidding me, right?.. I told you the meds were mine. I'm not a fucking addict."' She still didn't get it! He tells her so many times! By this point I had already connected the dots. Later she is talking with J.J. telling her everything and J.J. is worried because Jonah is "unstable" and "wrecked his apartment while high" Is that really how Elle explained it? really? Ugh. She. Does. Not. Listen! I wanted to rip out my hair at this point. I didn't even see the appeal on his part. I'm tired of books with the bad/troubled boys who fall for the good girls for no reason. If I'm going to believe that the girl is so special then she has to have something special. You can't just say that she is different and expect me to buy that.
I wont talk any more about the things that bothered me because I don't want to deal with this anymore. I really only liked reading about Jonah and his family and seeing them reconnect. And because it was pretty amusing at times. If it wasn't for Elle's age I might have appreciated her character more but I just didn't believe it. If it wasn't for Jonah and his family, I would have given this one star.
Okay first, Elle's "best friend" was really judgmental in my opinion. It's good to be that way sometimes when you feel like your friend is making bad decisions but it's also good to try to be supportive. There is a difference between being blunt or straight forward and just being rude and snobby. J.J. was just a character that didn't fit. She was rarely there and the few times that she was there she was really negative. When she broke up with her boyfriend and joined Elle and Jonah for the holidays I thought, okay maybe now I will see a bit more of what her character is about. Nope. She was absent and withdrawn and then all of the sudden she realized breaking up with her boyfriend was a huge mistake and goes off with him. I still do not care for her character at all.
**SOME SPOILERS BELOW**
As far as the relationship between Elle and Jonah, there were some really good moments and there were just some that just never got there. It starts with Elle noticing Jonah at the mailboxes where she lives and then she is obsessed. It was borderline stalkerish. I was a little creeped out tbh. Everything was Jonah, Jonah, Jonah. By chapter 4 they are having sex. When Elle wakes up the next morning and Jonah isn't there she flips out. Um, what did you think was going to happen? You hardly know the guy! They hardly even spoke to each other. Her inner monologue was just exhausting at times. Their relationship was very much based on sex in my opinion. Even when they were building an emotional relationship, it was rushed and then they were sleeping together again.
The writing isn't bad but there were multiple times where Stacie skips over details just to get to the bigger parts of the story. For example, we know that Jonah is a musician. After he and Elle sleep together Elle finds out from some girls at a coffee shop that he is in a band. Okay, that's cool Elle is going to go see him play. He basically sings one song just staring at her, jumps off stage and then they are back together. We hardly hear of his music career again. But I thought he had a lot of groupie's and was supposed to be a big deal? Well he is but you never get to see it. What I'm trying to say is that Stacie rushes certain parts of the story that really shouldn't be rushed. She mentions something and we are supposed to take her word for it without her mentioning it again.
Now back to Elle.. She was so frustrating sometimes. Are you sure she is 30? I know 30 is not that old, but seriously that doesn't sound right. She is just so childish or maybe immature is a better word. When she first found out about Jonah's "secret" I swore she was partially deaf! The scene basically went like this..
Elle finds the meds. She freaks out because they aren't in Jonah's name. She confronts him about it. He is upset. Elle feels like she deserves answers because they have slept together twice. He doesn't want to tell her but gives in and tells her they are his. She says they're obviously not because they aren't in his name. Jonah is then like, are you sure it isn't my name? and she is like no -My first thought at this point is well, if all the med bottle are all in the same name then it isn't as sketchy as them all being under different names- but of course she doesn't consider that. '"I've told you that they're mine," he replies..' and she is like, '"too late. I understand that you're a private person... I can't do this, Jonah. I won't do this."
So she leaves, a few minutes later she rushes to him after hearing him having an anxiety attack, which btw was not portrayed accurately. It was more of a panic attack.
"You're kidding me, right?.. I told you the meds were mine. I'm not a fucking addict."' She still didn't get it! He tells her so many times! By this point I had already connected the dots. Later she is talking with J.J. telling her everything and J.J. is worried because Jonah is "unstable" and "wrecked his apartment while high" Is that really how Elle explained it? really? Ugh. She. Does. Not. Listen! I wanted to rip out my hair at this point. I didn't even see the appeal on his part. I'm tired of books with the bad/troubled boys who fall for the good girls for no reason. If I'm going to believe that the girl is so special then she has to have something special. You can't just say that she is different and expect me to buy that.
I wont talk any more about the things that bothered me because I don't want to deal with this anymore. I really only liked reading about Jonah and his family and seeing them reconnect. And because it was pretty amusing at times. If it wasn't for Elle's age I might have appreciated her character more but I just didn't believe it. If it wasn't for Jonah and his family, I would have given this one star.
February 2, 2012
Unwritten Rules is an incredible love story and so different than many in its genre because it actually feels realistic. The focus is on the character’s emotional journey and not just their lust for each other, and I think it is because of this emotional focus that Elle and Jonah’s passion for each other comes across as so authentic. I am happy to finally be able to say I have found a romance author who does not equate lust and sex with love. It is the buildup of their relationship that makes this book so exciting and so damn good!
Elle is a mature and successful woman who is inexplicably drawn to her quiet and incredibly sexy neighbor Jonah. A traumatic event breaks the invisible barrier they have been stuck behind and throws these two together. Building on 2 years of stolen glances and Elle and Jonah cannot deny their interest in each other, but Elle quickly learns that there is so much more to her neighbor than his piercing blue eyes and the music he plays for her each night. Jonah is struggling with his own demons and is careful not to let anyone, including Elle, penetrate the wall that he has put up around himself.
This might sound like the beginning of many romances, that at their center have a sexy and dark male character, but that is absolutely not the case. There is so much more to Unwritten Rules! I have to give MA Stacie credit because too often our damaged and haunted artist male characters are allowed to treat their female partners (or anyone else for that matter) like crap, enter into borderline emotionally abusive relationships and somehow we are made to swoon over them. In Unwritten Rules Jonah is not given an out for his emotional distance and disrespectful behavior towards Elle just because he is hurting. When Elle finally pushes back and puts him in his place, the feminist in me was on my feet and cheering.
“I pulled away from him, “Are you an angry little shit now? Huh, Jonah?” I pushed again, taking note of the confusion as it flitted across his face. “Do you still want to dismiss the world? Hate everyone in it?”
I am so tired of reading about relationships that are clearly damaging and books or authors who excuse this behavior – finally an author willing to write a strong female character who will not allow a man to treat her like a doormat. Elle has been criticized as being pushy and too quick to question Jonah on his secrets, but I get it. Considering the intensity of their attraction it makes sense that after only a short period of time she would want to know what is behind the wall that Jonah puts up around himself. I also wouldn’t say she is being pushy, I would say she is showing that she cares about someone and is trying to help them. It takes a lot to overcome the negative feelings that Jonah has, and to come to terms with the things in his past that haunt him. Thank goodness he found Elle is all I have to say!
Jonah was definitely a swoon worthy male character, when he wasn’t whining and acting like a baby. The Jonah from the beginning of the novel and the Jonah at the end of the novel were two completely different people, and it was the Jonah who was willing to share a part of himself that I was interested in getting to know better. That being said I get the broody Jonah, the boy had some serious emotional baggage and the amount of time that he had spent alone would be enough to turn anyone into a self-loathing pile of misery. I loved how he came alive after playing music and it gave me a glimmer of the man that he could be, and that man was utterly sexy. MA Stacie crafts her characters in a way that makes them feel authentic and real. She isn’t obvious and I was never told how amazing Jonah was (which is a huge pet peeve of mine by the way) – it was the subtle details that gave me goose bumps!
“Jonah stood in the entrance, gazing around the room,
bracing his hands on the top of the frame. The action
stretched his torso, lifting his navy long sleeve t-shirt
so that I got a flash of his navel.”
*sigh* There were so many passages like this that made the man that Elle was so in love with come alive. There is so much more that I could say about Jonah but I think you really should just read about him yourself!
Unwritten Rules is a contemporary romance rooted in real life. Elle and Jonah start out full of passion and lust but then take the time to discover each other on an emotional level and that is when they fall for each other. It was not an easy ride but they saw something in each other that was worth working for and that to me is the sign of a great romance! I highly recommend this book for romance fans and those who are looking for a strong female character and a breathtaking heartthrob to swoon over!
I received a review copy of Unwritten Rules from the publisher TWCS Publishing House (thank you SO MUCH!!!) in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
*Review originally posted on Feb 2, 2012 http://www.handsandhome.ca/2012/02/un...
September 11, 2012
Ugh...seriously. I wasn't going to write a review and just brush this novel aside, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt it was necessary to shout from the rooftops just how terrible this book is. This contains a few spoilers, but not the "BIG" secret.
First off - Elle is completely unlikeable and unbelievable. I seriously could not stand her for pretty much the entire story. She was beyond self-important in her own mind (which was annoying to be in) and if I was Jonah I would've run the other way. She was made out to be this martyr and she wasn't - she was rude, selfish and obnoxious. Seriously, who thinks that it's their god-given right to expect answers and explanations from a guy they just met and slept with?!! Ugh again...perhaps if I actually felt the connection between Elle and Jonah rather than being told over and over again that this existed I would have (maybe) been able to let it go. She was more like 13 than 30 if you ask me.
Jonah might have been the only redeeming part of the book, but I don't think the author was able to create one personality for him and just stick with it. Was he shy? Was he confident? Was he bipolar? He's weak one minute, super strong the next. Seriously, make up your mind and stick with it. I can't imagine Once again, leading me to think that the author wasn't really sure where she wanted to go with the storyline (which is great on a first draft, but by the final draft this should've been sewn up much tighter than it was).
The big secret was really not shocking nor as terrible as I imagined this whole crazy firestorm that is Jonah to have...and the ending was pretty much the lamest thing I have ever read.
So overall, weak characters + unbelievable storyline = 2.5 hours of my life that I want back.
It's safe to say I will not be reading any other stories by this author.
First off - Elle is completely unlikeable and unbelievable. I seriously could not stand her for pretty much the entire story. She was beyond self-important in her own mind (which was annoying to be in) and if I was Jonah I would've run the other way. She was made out to be this martyr and she wasn't - she was rude, selfish and obnoxious. Seriously, who thinks that it's their god-given right to expect answers and explanations from a guy they just met and slept with?!! Ugh again...perhaps if I actually felt the connection between Elle and Jonah rather than being told over and over again that this existed I would have (maybe) been able to let it go. She was more like 13 than 30 if you ask me.
Jonah might have been the only redeeming part of the book, but I don't think the author was able to create one personality for him and just stick with it. Was he shy? Was he confident? Was he bipolar? He's weak one minute, super strong the next. Seriously, make up your mind and stick with it. I can't imagine Once again, leading me to think that the author wasn't really sure where she wanted to go with the storyline (which is great on a first draft, but by the final draft this should've been sewn up much tighter than it was).
The big secret was really not shocking nor as terrible as I imagined this whole crazy firestorm that is Jonah to have...and the ending was pretty much the lamest thing I have ever read.
So overall, weak characters + unbelievable storyline = 2.5 hours of my life that I want back.
It's safe to say I will not be reading any other stories by this author.
February 6, 2011
This book is amazing! A must if you love a story about raw emotion and passion. Jonah who is shy from the start and you wonder how he will ever come around from that. He's made a lot of self sacrifices based on things that happened from his childhood. Which on turn has left him very jaded about what he does and doesn't deserve. Enters Elle his neighbour. She a strong woman who takes a shine to jonah. She wants to get to know him in every way possible and basically she blows through Jonah's world like a cyclone knocking out the bricks of his carefully constructed Walls. Now it isn't plain sailing, it's takes a lot for Elle to break Jonah down and we get to see little bits of venerability kinks in her strong amour. But behind the angst we also get to see how two people come together and grow to love each other.
It's written from a very 'Real life' perspective, meaning it's not all shitting rainbows. Their love isn't instant but grows into a very real, very passionate love. They learn respect, boundaries and most importantly trust.
Absolutely loved reading every page of this book. Even the parts that made me cry and not tears, full on snot sobbing at one point. It made me laugh and also appreciate that not all love is easy, the rough comes with the smooth. These characters in this story definitely have more than their share of rough patches, but the smooth ones balance them out perfectly.
It's written from a very 'Real life' perspective, meaning it's not all shitting rainbows. Their love isn't instant but grows into a very real, very passionate love. They learn respect, boundaries and most importantly trust.
Absolutely loved reading every page of this book. Even the parts that made me cry and not tears, full on snot sobbing at one point. It made me laugh and also appreciate that not all love is easy, the rough comes with the smooth. These characters in this story definitely have more than their share of rough patches, but the smooth ones balance them out perfectly.
February 16, 2011
I was very in doubt about reading this book. I've read stories by Ms Stacie before and loved every one of them. But the danger of reading something a friend has written, is what if you hate it? If you absolutely hate something; do you lie to be nice, or do you tell the truth and disappoint them?
Thankfully this was a dilemma I hadn't needed to worry about. This book starts off being funny as nothing else. I was laughing so bad I was in danger of peeing myself... When you expect it the least, the story takes a turn for the serious stuff. Ms Stacie has now taken us deeply into the characters and what makes them click. Just as you're getting comfortable with where the characters are, you get thrown for a new loop and it's time to dig out that trusty box of tissues.
What really made me sit back and exhale with relief, was that this was no sex-fest story like romance books tend to be. There are a fair share of lemons, but it's not what the story is about. There are no gory scenes, but there is no silly fading to black either. Ms Stacie has found a happy middle, that doesn't offend with being too pornographic, but it can't be mistaken for a children's book either.
For a first original work, this is beyond beautiful.
Thankfully this was a dilemma I hadn't needed to worry about. This book starts off being funny as nothing else. I was laughing so bad I was in danger of peeing myself... When you expect it the least, the story takes a turn for the serious stuff. Ms Stacie has now taken us deeply into the characters and what makes them click. Just as you're getting comfortable with where the characters are, you get thrown for a new loop and it's time to dig out that trusty box of tissues.
What really made me sit back and exhale with relief, was that this was no sex-fest story like romance books tend to be. There are a fair share of lemons, but it's not what the story is about. There are no gory scenes, but there is no silly fading to black either. Ms Stacie has found a happy middle, that doesn't offend with being too pornographic, but it can't be mistaken for a children's book either.
For a first original work, this is beyond beautiful.
May 17, 2012
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BOOK REVIEWS AT READING, EATING & DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF
Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie pulls you in at the very beginning. It’s addicting and suspenseful, and this book made me laugh out loud (especially in the beginning).
I loved Jonah and Elle’s personalities. I didn’t necessarily love their behavior.
Jonah is a sweet, shy mess. Elle is funny, compassionate and independent.
But, in my opinion, Jonah’s behavior was inexcusable at times, and Elle didn’t always behave the way a sane, experienced, 30 year-old woman would behave.
Regardless, Unwritten Rules was a gratifying read. One great thing about this novel was you never know what to expect. It takes you by surprise and keeps you tuned in.
This is not a young adult novel; it’s an adult romance. This book contains lots of sex, so I would recommend this novel for older young adults, not teens.
I gave Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie 3 STARS. I recommend adding this novel to your to-do list.
-XOXO
READING, EATING & DREAMING
Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie pulls you in at the very beginning. It’s addicting and suspenseful, and this book made me laugh out loud (especially in the beginning).
I loved Jonah and Elle’s personalities. I didn’t necessarily love their behavior.
Jonah is a sweet, shy mess. Elle is funny, compassionate and independent.
But, in my opinion, Jonah’s behavior was inexcusable at times, and Elle didn’t always behave the way a sane, experienced, 30 year-old woman would behave.
Regardless, Unwritten Rules was a gratifying read. One great thing about this novel was you never know what to expect. It takes you by surprise and keeps you tuned in.
This is not a young adult novel; it’s an adult romance. This book contains lots of sex, so I would recommend this novel for older young adults, not teens.
I gave Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie 3 STARS. I recommend adding this novel to your to-do list.
-XOXO
READING, EATING & DREAMING
October 8, 2011
I decided to read this book based on overwhelming positive reviews here & on Amazon. The storyline and progression of relationship were both ok for me. I was extremely irritated with Elle right out of the gate. For a 30 year old woman, she seemed extremely immature to me. I didn't understand her seriously weird obsession with this guy who she saw at the mailbox. Really? No interaction at all outside of seeing him collect his mail? It was just weird for me. I felt as though her reactions to situations was just too young & immature for a woman her age. Outside of my issues with Elle, the book itself was ok. I wasn't emotionally attached to anyone in the story but I seem to be the minority there. For someone like Jonah, who was so closed off from everything & everyone for so long, it just seemed unrealistic that it would kind of all fall into place so quickly and with a relatively "neat" ending. I think the author has clear talent and I would like to read more of her work to gauge whether or not it is my strong reaction to Elle as a character that is clouding my view of the story as a whole.
October 4, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Our hero, Jonah is shy, tortured, sexy and extremely messed up. He's been living in a shell and refuses to let anyone into his life. He's hiding a dark secret and he's not ready to share it, until Elle comes knocking at his door, looking for her cat none the less:
I took a deep breath, toying with my keys again, before blurting out, "Do you have my pussy? Oh God, cat! Do you have my cat?"
Hahaha. I love that line. Elle lives in the apartment below him and has been trying to find out more about her neighbor upstairs. They have their daily mailbox encounters trying to get a glimpse of each other.
They start off pretty hot and heavy and basically as he book progresses, they agree to take things more slowly and get to know each other. However, Elle's patience can only take so much of the secretive Jonah and their young relationship is tested throughout the book. Elle peels back layer after layer of Jonah's past, but what will she find? Will she stick around? Will he let her? So many questions. All in all, a very good read.
I took a deep breath, toying with my keys again, before blurting out, "Do you have my pussy? Oh God, cat! Do you have my cat?"
Hahaha. I love that line. Elle lives in the apartment below him and has been trying to find out more about her neighbor upstairs. They have their daily mailbox encounters trying to get a glimpse of each other.
They start off pretty hot and heavy and basically as he book progresses, they agree to take things more slowly and get to know each other. However, Elle's patience can only take so much of the secretive Jonah and their young relationship is tested throughout the book. Elle peels back layer after layer of Jonah's past, but what will she find? Will she stick around? Will he let her? So many questions. All in all, a very good read.
January 17, 2012
As a first outing for an author, MA Stacie holds back no punches with her subject matter, and to be perfectly honest, the promise of angsty characters and plot lines always has my full attention.
Elle is plucky and likeable with realistic character flaws. As the reader spends the entirety of the book in Elle's head, MA Stacie was able to create a multi-dimensional character whom I enjoyed hanging out with every time I opened the book.
Jonah is dark and mysterious, and from Elle's descriptions of him, I want to get to know the man behind the ink as well as the ink on the man! His vulnerable side was heartbreaking at times and I really felt for him during his confessions.
MA Stacie has a way of writing intimacy, and I don't just mean sex, that is tangible and gives the reader a real sense of the raw emotions between her two protagonists.
Bravo to MA Stacie...long may her muse continue to inspire her to write gems such as this.
Elle is plucky and likeable with realistic character flaws. As the reader spends the entirety of the book in Elle's head, MA Stacie was able to create a multi-dimensional character whom I enjoyed hanging out with every time I opened the book.
Jonah is dark and mysterious, and from Elle's descriptions of him, I want to get to know the man behind the ink as well as the ink on the man! His vulnerable side was heartbreaking at times and I really felt for him during his confessions.
MA Stacie has a way of writing intimacy, and I don't just mean sex, that is tangible and gives the reader a real sense of the raw emotions between her two protagonists.
Bravo to MA Stacie...long may her muse continue to inspire her to write gems such as this.
November 23, 2011
I really wanted to like this book. I really did. Jonah's character was well written but Elle? I wanted to claw my eyes out every time she spoke. She was just too damn pushy! After having sex with the guy, who she barely knew at the time, she claimed that she ”deserved” to know all about his life and his problems/issues. They couldn't even have a nice date without her ruining it with all that nagging. If I was Jonah, I seriously would've kicked her to the curb. I don't think she really thought about his feelings. It obviously hurt him to think about certain things and yet she just kept prying! I was just sitting there the whole time thinking when he's ready to tell you, he'll tell you, damn! Basically, I just wanted to stab her. I don't want to spoil the book and give out details so I'll just say that the heroin was full of contradictions and she was annoying as hell. I mean, the chemistry between them was there and all but I couldn't stand her. Overall, it was an okay read.
September 8, 2012
There were some scenes and one liners there were good. That being said there was a lot about this book that I did not like.
The characters were shallow and the part of them that you get to know isn’t very likeable.
Elle is pushy and whiny. After knowing Jonah a very short time she is demanding that she know his “dark past and secrets”. Jonah might be “hot”, but you see so very little of his personality that isn’t clingy, throwing a temper tantrum, or wussy. J.J. is supposed to be a friend yet we know almost nothing about her and see almost no interaction with Elle. The few we do see they clash more than get along.
The plot line was cute but weak and the whole book felt rushed.
The interactions and conversations were rarely believable. The writing was redundant. There were a lot of inconsistencies.
Over all it seems like most of the issues could be explained by an inexperienced writer and poor editing.
The characters were shallow and the part of them that you get to know isn’t very likeable.
Elle is pushy and whiny. After knowing Jonah a very short time she is demanding that she know his “dark past and secrets”. Jonah might be “hot”, but you see so very little of his personality that isn’t clingy, throwing a temper tantrum, or wussy. J.J. is supposed to be a friend yet we know almost nothing about her and see almost no interaction with Elle. The few we do see they clash more than get along.
The plot line was cute but weak and the whole book felt rushed.
The interactions and conversations were rarely believable. The writing was redundant. There were a lot of inconsistencies.
Over all it seems like most of the issues could be explained by an inexperienced writer and poor editing.
September 27, 2011
Unwritten Rules is a story of finding forgiveness in oneself and finding love in the process of healing. This story made me laugh, cry, and I'm not going to lie, I found Jonah Quinn very frustrating to read in the beginning of the story. The mysterious, angry Jonah was a roller coaster of raw, impulsive behavior, yet he is exactly how one would act if dealing with similar emotional issues in real life! The story is done in Elle's POV, so the reader feels disgruntled right along with her as Jonah keeps pushing her away, and then relief when he finally opens up to her. Jonah and Elle's physical chemistry is sizzling hot from the start and throughout the story. M.A. Stacie does a wonderful job in developing their romance as Jonah slowly opens his heart to Elle. Very much looking forward to any new work from this author.
March 7, 2012
Bad. That's all I can say. The first 3/4 of the book was awful! It made me so mad. The only reason I gave it 2 stars was because the last 1/4 was good and made me feel a little better.
But I can't help but hate Elle. She was awful. I don't know how Jonah could have liked her. All she did was yell at him and to tell you the truth she was NOT understanding or helpful at all. I just did not get it. There was actually 2 times when I wanted to quit reading it but I thought I actually paid money for this so I better keep going. The end was good but I had to suffer through most of the book to get to it. Jonah was hot....I liked him. But I can not stand the whiney heroin...and Elle was sure that! No wonder Jonah had a panic attack...I would have had one too if I had to listen to her lecture and yell.
But I can't help but hate Elle. She was awful. I don't know how Jonah could have liked her. All she did was yell at him and to tell you the truth she was NOT understanding or helpful at all. I just did not get it. There was actually 2 times when I wanted to quit reading it but I thought I actually paid money for this so I better keep going. The end was good but I had to suffer through most of the book to get to it. Jonah was hot....I liked him. But I can not stand the whiney heroin...and Elle was sure that! No wonder Jonah had a panic attack...I would have had one too if I had to listen to her lecture and yell.
January 30, 2011
Awww what can I say about this book? Awww says it all really.
It’s a page turner for sure, not because it’s full of suspense and you need to find answers, but because the relationship between Jonah and Elle is so promising that you can’t help but stalk them!!
The ‘hot’ sex is well written and the intense feeling you get when you’re in love, when the world is just the two of you and nothing else exists was described to perfection.
I’m sad I’ve reached the end I want to follow them some more. I’m going to miss Jonah and his hot tattooed body, his vulnerability, his drawings and his music, not to mention his eyes and his dimple and oh did I mention his hot tattooed body!!!
M.A. Stacie I look forward to reading more of your work!
It’s a page turner for sure, not because it’s full of suspense and you need to find answers, but because the relationship between Jonah and Elle is so promising that you can’t help but stalk them!!
The ‘hot’ sex is well written and the intense feeling you get when you’re in love, when the world is just the two of you and nothing else exists was described to perfection.
I’m sad I’ve reached the end I want to follow them some more. I’m going to miss Jonah and his hot tattooed body, his vulnerability, his drawings and his music, not to mention his eyes and his dimple and oh did I mention his hot tattooed body!!!
M.A. Stacie I look forward to reading more of your work!
June 19, 2016
I have no shame in saying that I have read this story several times and I fall in love with Jonah and Elle more and more each time.
Jonah and Elle live in the same apartment building and run into each other at their mailboxes often, usually after Elle returns from her runs.
Elle is a strong female character that decided that she was going to get to know Jonah and doesn't give up.
Jonah is a strong male character that has a tragic background and refuses to forgive himself for it.
Reading these two overcome the hurdles that were thrown in their way, mainly from Jonah's end, is something that I enjoyed experiencing.
Jonah and Elle live in the same apartment building and run into each other at their mailboxes often, usually after Elle returns from her runs.
Elle is a strong female character that decided that she was going to get to know Jonah and doesn't give up.
Jonah is a strong male character that has a tragic background and refuses to forgive himself for it.
Reading these two overcome the hurdles that were thrown in their way, mainly from Jonah's end, is something that I enjoyed experiencing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews