Kristen Ashley

The Will

Early in her life, Josephine Malone learned the hard way that there was only one person she could love and trust: her grandmother, Lydia Malone. Out of necessity, unconsciously and very successfully, Josephine donned a disguise to keep all others at bay. She led a globetrotting lifestyle on the fringes of the fashion and music elite, but she kept herself distant. While Josephine was trotting the globe, retired boxer Jake Spear was living in the same small town as Lydia. There was nothing disguised about Jake. Including the fact he made a habit of making very bad decisions about who to give his love. But for Josephine and Jake, there was one person who adored them. One person who knew how to lead them to happiness. And one person who was intent on doing it. Even if she had to do it as her final wish on this earth.

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

The Will is the first book in the Magdalene series and I deeply loved this book so MUCH!!! Kristen Ashley just NEVER disappoints me in her books and I don't know why I delay in reading her books at times because they are so addictive and I always know I will fall in love with her storytelling each and every time. And this holds true for The Will. When I saw the Ebook available on Libby, I just knew that I needed to snatch it up and yes I read this book 600 pages in one sitting and boy it was amazing.
You are not a fool. You can never be a fool. You're total from top to toe. You're also a klutz. Own that,baby, because its cute and because it's you. If you learn to accept yourself just as you are, learn t laugh at your quirks instead of hating them, show the world all that's you without tryin' to hide things that are not even a little unattractive, that makes you more attractive. What you got is a fuckuva lot. You own all of it and let it all hang out, you'll go off-the-charts
Our story starts off with our heroine Josephine Malone, has had a life of shielding herself from pain from those she should have been able to trust the most. The only person she has truly opened herself out to is her grandmother "Lydia" but when her grandmother passes away, Josie, comes home for the funeral and to say goodbye to the person who stood by her and loved her fully. What she didn't expect was to catch the eye of a father of three children, where a connection sizzles between them. But she is shocked to learn that he is part of her grandmother's will when she has never met him. Only to learn that her grandmother held Jake in high regard and that her grandmother wanted them to be together if only just to be friends. But even though she has been traveling the world and working in fashion design, the small coastal town of Magdelene is calling to her and also Jake and his three beautiful children who have stolen her heart. Will Jake and Josie, both from different worlds be able to make a relationship work and find a love they never expected?
You see, a woman who knows herself and her worth knows that her time is valuable and her heart is precious. She doesn't give either to a man who can't respect the gifts he's being offered.
What a story, oh my heart is just in all the feels after reading this book here. I am just simply stunned in this beautiful story that our beloved author has written here. I have to say this just might be one of my top books from this author and that is saying quite a bit considering how much I adore her books that I have managed to pick up so far. But this story was so heartfelt from the first chapter and I was instantly hooked. It is a long book, close to 600 pages, but honestly, those pages just flew right by me and I barely noticed. There is such a vivid connection that is portrayed between Jake and Josie. There is so much going on that we find out later in the book especially on Jake's part. But I think what I truly enjoyed was the balance of the relationship between Jake and Josie and Josie's relationship with his children. Now I will say especially at the end ...epilogue especially I was SOBBING....literally I couldn't stop it, such a beautiful scene and the emotions conveyed were so real. I can't express enough how beautiful this story is and if you love reading romance, you NEED this book in your life!! NOW!! I guarantee you will have no regrets.
Every inch of you, outside and any way you can get inside, baby physically or emotionally, is mine. You don't share that. Ever.
There is so much contained in this story and I really don't want to spoil it too much to be honest. But I found overall I was consumed by their romance, it feeds the soul in such a unique way and I can't wait to gobble up the next book "Soaring" which I am sure will be such as much of a delight as this one.

Jennifer Eggleston 

First time reading Kristin Ashley ...

What would you do if a family member left you a person? You would think they were crazy ... but just go with it. 

Jake and Josephine were cute. An alpha who has a bad picker outer but recognizes quality when he sees it. Add a mix of Jake's kids, the Taylors, and hometown friends you have a story that will keep you entertain until the end. There may also be some blubbering (by you) . 

Josephine is so proper -she will have you thinking you have travelled back in time. Josie is fierce, though. When she loves; she loves deeply. Definitely worthy of Jake's affection and vice versa. 

So if Chris Hemsworth with any kid makes your ovaries clutch... this book is for you. 

A single dad who provides and looks real good doing it ...yep, this book has your name on it. 

A mature heroine and hero (we are talking 40's) ... Go forth and read this book.

Samantha Emery

Re read March 2015. - While I disliked Josie as much as the first read for the first 50% or so of this book, once it got to the point where she stopped "hiding" after watching Jake fight I did find myself warming to her more. She is never going to make it into my top ten fave KA heroines, BUT - on a re read, I understood more, her vulnerability, and how she had build up a wall, in the guise of a standoffish formal persona to keep people at arms length. And I did end up really liking her toward the end. And the scene where she says goodbye to Henry, had me tearing up for them both. 


I love KA!

But, I was unsure of this one!

Mainly due to the h.

I could not connect with her at all. The way she talked, the way she decided, with no experience of children, to suddenly start giving out advice like some sort of supernanny on acid!

But I loved Jake and the entire story was just beautiful. 

but, Josie, I could never warm up to her at all.

And, the issue I have had with other KA books, why is it that every birth mother, who is not an actual h of the book, is a bitch and a terrible mother! It bugs me greatly! 

The h seemed to live by a set of rules and regulations only she knew about or cared about and god forbid anyone break her rule and make her "uncomfortable" because, even though she claimed to abhor rudeness, she was pretty damn rude herself at times!

However, I could not put it down! Mainly due to Jake and his kids, and toward the end I was even reading with a tear in my eye as it was so lovely!

I just wish Josie had been toned down somewhat! 

And I am getting fed up of the "excellent father, awful birth mother bitch ex, awesome new woman with no experience of kids but is like the child rearing guru" thing! And there were 2 awful bitch mother exes in this book! TWO!

The Will

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