If I Were You:
When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she's shocked and enthralled by the erotic life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer--until the terrifying final entry.
Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca's life. Soon she's working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca's friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager of the gallery and a famed artist, Sara realizes she's going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she's not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.
Overall Rating: 5 Rockin' ★★★★★
Your life can be changed in a moment and you want even realize that it has happened. That is exactly what happens to Sara when her neighbor leaves a journal in Sara’s apartment and she starts to read the entries. At first Sara believes that the journal belongs to her friend but Ella but soon finds out that it belongs to a woman named Rebecca Mason. Ella had purchased a storage unit that had been auction off for lack of payment and in the contents were Rebecca’s journals. When Ella elopes she leaves everything in the storage unit to Sara to sell or get rid of. Sara decides to track Rebecca down and return her belongs to her including her personal journals. Sara tracks Rebecca to her place of work, Allure Art Gallery. Every time she calls to speak with her, Sara is told that Rebecca is not there. After trying multiply times to reach her by phone Sara decides to try and see her at an art exhibit that is coming to the art gallery. Even though it will take a chunk out of her budget she buys a ticket and makes plans to attend.
When Sara arrives at the gallery she is told that Rebecca will not be present tonight but that she will have her boss speak with Sara when he has time. Sara talks with Mark and he tells her that Rebecca is on a leave of absence for the summer. He also tells her that there is no way to reach Rebecca and it really has put him in a bind for the summer. Rebecca had originally left for a two week cruise with her rich boyfriend and it had turned into the entire summer. Without thinking Sara tells Mark that she can do Rebecca’s job for the summer because as a teacher she is available for the summer. It also helps that she has her masters of arts with a bachelors in business and that he can test her on any art subject that he wants too. Mark hires her for the summer and tells her that she can start on Monday.
Enters Chris Merit and I am instantly attracted to him and feel an electrical charge run through me just being in his presence. He helps me collect my things when I drop my purse and then walks me to my car. He totally confuses Sara with his intense gaze and remarks about doing what you want to do and not settling for less. But Sara has also found herself drawn to Mark and his aura of dominance and control. During her initial meeting with Mark to discuss her employment Sara is given the opportunity to test and prove her knowledge of the world of art. She is also expected to prove that she can move smoothly through the world of the rich and famous by acquiring additional knowledge of wine and opera. This will be used as she works for the company as they hold wine tastings that feature prominent wine producers, classical music and the annual charity event that features the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Sara is totally confused about her reactions to Mark and Chris and her need to prove ownership of the job she took to help find Rebecca. Swimming through the world of the rich and famous while maintaining who you are is proving to be a difficult for Sara and what dark secret is Mark and Chris keeping from her?
Sara is totally unsure where this new life will take her. Will Sara find out what happened to Rebecca? Can Sara find a way to keep the job that she has always wanted? Which man will Sara choose, Mark or Chris? Did Rebecca have a relationship with one of these men? Who were the men in Rebecca’s journal? ~CJ
Hero –Mark Compton: 5 stars
Hero-Chris Merit: 5 stars
Heroine –Sara McMillan: 5 stars
Steam: 5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Cliffhanger: Yes
Would I recommend this book: Yes! If you enjoyed Shades of Gray you will love If I Were You. The book has mystery, intrigue and BDSM written with a twist that hold you captive as you switch between Rebecca’s Journal and Sara’s struggle to make sense of what is happening to her life.
Would I read other books by this author: Yes! Love this author and everything that she writes just makes me want to read another book. This series has me on the edge of my seat wanting to read the next book to find answers to my questions.
Being Me:
I arch into him, drinking in his passion, instantly, willingly consumed by all that he is and could be to me. . . .
Sara McMillan is still searching for Rebecca, the mysterious woman whose dark, erotic journal entries both enthralled and frightened her. Tormented by a strong desire to indulge the demands of her new boss while also drawn deeper into her passionate bond with the troubled artist, Chris Merit, Sara must face a past as deeply haunting as Rebecca’s written words. In one man’s arms, Sara will find the safe haven to reveal her most intimate secrets and explore her darkest fantasies. But is safety just an illusion, when the truth about Rebecca has yet to be discovered?
Overall Rating: 5 Rockin' ★★★★★
Sara and Chris are two damaged souls that have found each other in a most unexpected way through their love of art. He is a world famous artist while she is an art major that is working during her summer break from teaching at an art gallery. They meet at a charity art exhibit and the attraction is electric. Their relationship quickly moves to the point that she is spending most of her free time with him at his place than at her apartment. Chris is very protective and when Sara is stalked one night while visiting Rebecca’s storage unit, he pulls out all the stops to keep her safe; she needs to move in with him, she needs to drive his car, she needs to let him know when she goes somewhere and he hires a PI to investigate. Sara’s past makes it very difficult for her to release that much control to another person but for Chris she is willing to try.
If possible Chris would have Sara quit her job at Allure but he realizes that this is her dream and she needs to do this for herself. Mark is a constant white noise in the background trying to dominate her and this causes Sara to emphasize to him that she works for him and nothing else. Sara is now positive that Mark is the Master in Rebecca’s journals and Ryan Kilmer is the other man that is mentioned. Everything seems to be happening so quickly and still there are no answers about where Rebecca is and Sara’s worries about her missing friend Ella are escalating. To help ease her worries Chris has the PI he hired look for Ella and find out everything he can about where she could be. Mark leaves another red journal that belonged to Rebecca on Sara’s desk. It is a journal detailing all the art that Rebecca sold, or evaluated and brief insights into the artist, staff, sellers and buyers that she worked with and notes on their quirks, interest and history.
Sara realizes that Chris is keeping part of himself from her just as she is not being entirely truthful with him. She also knows that he is the love of her life and fears that he will look at her differently when she tells him the truth about who she really is. Chris convinces Sara to go with him to visit a young cancer patient named Dylan that he has become very close to and that is fighting for his life. While flying to Los Angeles, Sara begins sharing some of her past with Chris. She tells him about her mother and how her father treated them as his pets and not as his family. How she had idolized her father until she started college and found out what was really happening between her parents. But she finds that she still cannot open up about everything and knows that her past may destroy her chance of a future with Chris. Chris is there and supports Sara when she comes face to face with her past. But when Dylan dies, Chris is devastated and seems to push Sara away and will not let her be there for him.
Will Chris let Sara in and share his past? Can Sara save Chris from his demons? Who is stalking Sara and why? Will Mark pull Sara into his world? Will they be able to find Rebecca in time? ~CJ
Hero-Chris Merit: 5 stars
Heroine –Sara McMillan: 5 stars
Steam: 5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Cliffhanger: Yes
Would I recommend this book: Yes! This is the second book in the Lisa Renee Jones, Inside Out Series and it tells the story of two damaged souls that fight to save each other in a world that is trying to tear them apart. In this book you will be submersed in solving a possible murder mystery, art fraud, a love, hate relationship and lust filled sex all tied together with BDSM strings.
Would I read other books by this author: Yes! Ms. Jones has answered some of the questions that the first two books ask, but she leaves so many more that can only be answered by reading the next book. I am really stoked to see how she will tie all the loose ends together.
Revealing Us:
You've discovered Rebecca's secrets. You've discovered Sara's secrets. Now Sara will discover "his" deepest, darkest secrets...but will those secrets bind them together--or tear them apart?
Overall Rating: 5 Rockin' ★★★★★
I want to believe that we are on the final part of our journey toward finding and understanding each other. Chris has thrown down the gauntlet, go with him to Paris or say good bye. It is my choice and he will not try to influence me in making my decision. After our fight last night I thought he had already said his good byes, but he came for me and asked me one more time to go with him to Paris and to see the real him. It is a big jump for me to make, but I know in my heart that Chris will never hurt me and that I truly love him. So I take a leap of faith, put my fears behind me and meet him at the airport to make a journey of discovery with my man. I really have no idea what will happen when we get to Paris but whatever it is we will face it together.
It is unbelievable that the first thing that happens to me in Paris is to bump into a pickpocket that steals my wallet and passport. Is this an omen of what awaits us as we find our way towards each other? I cannot shake the feeling that I am being watched and that someone is following me. Chris is my rock and continues to protect and guide me through our voyage together toward a life with each other. He is my hero and the hero to so many others that he helps. I just don’t understand why he can’t see what I see when I look into his soul. He carries so much guilt that for some reason he still can’t share with me. That is part of the reason we are in Paris, he wants me to see the real Chris and sometimes when I look into his eyes I see the fear that he carries. The fear that I will not be able to handle what he has done in the past and where it has taken him and may take me.
Always at the back of my mind is my missing best friend, Ella. Is it like Rebecca and I will be too late to save her? Chris has hired local people to help find her but when he finds there may be ties to the mob he wants to take me home to the states to keep me safe. But going back home may not be a solution since Ava the insane woman that tried to kill me and did kill Rebecca is now claiming that I am the one that did the killing. All around us are people from the past that keep making demands on Chris and trying to break our bond to each other. I came to Paris to fight for our relationship and I will not be leaving without Chris.
Will Chris finally let go of his past and let me be a part of him? Will we find our happily ever after together? Who is following me and why? Can we find Ella in time or will it be too late like it was for Rebecca? Why does Chris feel so guilty and need pain? ~CJ
Hero-Chris Merit: 5 stars
Heroine –Sara McMillan: 5 stars
Steam: 5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Cliffhanger: Yes!
Would I recommend this book: Yes! This is the third book in the Lisa Renee Jones, Inside Out Series and goes a long way in explaining why the main characters are so damaged. It continues to tell the story of two people that trust each other enough to love and find understanding in the other’s arms. This is a must read for those that enjoy a love story filled with secrets, scheming and unexpected BDSM!
Would I read other books by this author: Yes! I love all the books that I have read by this author. She has a way of pulling the reader into the lives of her characters and making them so real that you feel like you know them and are a part of their lives.
***Received an ARC of
this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***
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