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| Understood | 
 enlarge | Manufacturer: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Category: EBooks
List Price: $3.50
Buy New: $2.80
You Save: $0.70 (20%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 4308
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B000R93DF8
Publication Date: December 19, 2006
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
When she breaks free from the bondage of her past, he-ll be waiting.
Jake Turner committed the ultimate mistake of falling in love with his best friend-s wife. The distance he puts between them costs both him and Ellie Matthews dearly. Jake will never forgive himself for not seeing what a bastard his friend was. Now that Ellie is free from her nightmare, Jake waits, needing and wanting. He-ll be there when Ellie is ready to spread her wings.
Warning, this title contains: Explicit sex, graphic language
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| Customer Reviews:
 5 Klovers - Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques December 2, 2007
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
Jake always loved Ellie Matthews, even though she was married to his `best friend'. He never stopped beating himself up for not seeing what that friend did to Ellie until the night she showed up on his doorstep frightened and bloodied. Now she is divorced, and he has bided his time, building her trust and waiting until she is ready to love again.
Ellie is still scared, but she knows she loves Jake, and she is ready to show him. After everything this man has done for her, how could she not love him? But the past is not as far behind her as she thinks, and when her ex-husband shows up in her life again, he threatens everything...
Every book I read by Maya Banks seems somehow better than the last! I'm not sure if it is actually the writing, or if it is simply a case of the one in my hands now being the best one ever... I have to say, I read Understood right after reading a book by a different author that was not so good, and reading Understood made it all better - kind of like getting a lollipop at the end of the visit to the doctor. Well, Understood would definitely qualify as a figurative lollipop - a cherry flavored one, at that. Heck, make it a cherry flavored Tootsie Roll Pop!
Jake Turner is absolutely perfect. As soon as I finished the book, I messaged the author to find out if by any remote chance she might have modeled him on a real life man who happened to live in Nashville and was perhaps still single and ready to meet me. Sadly, that was not the case, but Jake is definitely the kind of hero every woman wants in her life. He has all of the good guy nobleness, without being too vanilla. Nope, `vanilla' could never describe the handsome Jake. Sensitive, strong, caring, and passionate, yes, but never `vanilla'. He has all of the bad boy heat without any of the negative traits.
Ellie is tragic and beautiful, as many heroines are wont to be. If the story of her life does not break your heart, then her romance with Jake will surely bring you to tears - good tears, though! Watching her growth as she leans on Jake for strength, and then learns to find herself again so she can come to him as a complete woman with no doubts as to what she wants is absolutely heartwarming.
While Understood is connected to Banks' upcoming release, Overheard, neither story is dependent on the other, even though they share several characters. Of course, after reading one, you will immediately want to read the other! They do not need to be read in a certain order - I actually read Overheard prior to reading Understood, and had no issues following the story.
Coming to the end of any of Maya Banks books brings to mind one question each time: I wonder just how fast she can write... I can't wait for the next one!
Connected Stories:
Understood
Undenied
Caught by Cupid
Joyfully Recommended! January 27, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In love with his former best friend's ex wife, Jake Turner bides his time until she is ready to join the dating world again. Jake doesn't want to scare her, but there is no way she is going to build a life with anyone but him. He doesn't want the here and now, he wants forever. His wait comes to an end when across the crowded bar he sees her walk in and sit down. As the men swarm around her, Jake makes his way through the throng, picks her up, and carries her out of the bar.
Ellie Matthews refuses to allow her scum bag of an ex husband to have control over her life any longer. Coming to the decision that she needs to be with someone, she spends hours getting up enough nerve to walk into a bar in order to meet men. When Jake picks her up and carries her out of the bar, Ellie knows she should be furious but can't help but be grateful. When Jake lets Ellie in on his plans, she doesn't know what to say. Scared of trusting but scared of losing Jake, Ellie asks for time and patience.
Jake and Ellie explore their feelings and just when things seem to even out and become more permanent, Ellie's abusive ex husband shows up and things get ugly.
Understood was magnificent. Pure, reading nirvana. I found myself immersed in the story and couldn't put it down. I love how Maya Banks takes your emotions, sets them free, and allows them to feel her characters thoughts, feelings, and needs. The plot and storyline flowed and I found it very realistic. So much so that when Ellie cried, I did as well. I fell in love with Jake from the moment he rescued Ellie in the bar and could not wait for Ellie to love him as much as I did.
Understood is a must read for anyone wishing for a great story, emotional characters, and just out and out sensuality. I have to say that Maya Banks is one of my new favorite authors to watch and read!
***Talia Ricci for Joyfully Reviewed***
Maya Banks will capture your heart with this endearing tale January 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Jake Turner feels guilty for not knowing about the abuse Ellie suffered at the hands of his best friend Ray. He fell in love with her before she married Ray but distanced himself in order to preserve the friendship. Jake learned of the abuse when Ellie came to him for help bloody and bruised from Ray's last abusive episode. Since her divorce Jake has been giving her the space that she needs to get over Ray and love again.
Ellie Matthews' marriage to NFL quarterback and town golden boy Ray was a nightmare. She survived years of abuse at Ray's hands before finally saving herself and divorcing him. It's been two years since the divorce and Ellie is ready to move on.
Jake is hanging out at Zach's Bar and Grill when his friend Colin points out the newest person to enter the bar - Ellie. Only it's not the Ellie that Jake knows and loves, she's obviously on the prowl and her attire has every male in the building standing up and taking notice (in more ways than one). As far as Jake's concerned Ellie belongs to him and apparently it's time that he informs her of that little fact. As he approaches her Jake can see how much this bravado act is costing her by the fearful look in her eyes. Jake slings her over his shoulder and takes her home where she promptly passes out from all the alcohol she consumed before going to the bar. In the morning Jake lets her know in no uncertain terms that she belongs to him, but she'll have to come to him. Can it really be that simple?
Maya Banks will capture your heart with this endearing tale of finding love after being involved in an abusive relationship. I absolutely love Ellie and Jake. She's survived not only her abusive marriage but also endures the small town's citizens' disdain for divorcing their golden boy. Jake loves Ellie and blames himself for not knowing about the abuse. He was Ray's best friend, he should have known what kind of person he was, right? Both have issues that need to be resolved. There's no better way for them than as friends as well as lovers. They're a wonderful couple and I love how they interact with each other.
Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)
 So so. June 3, 2008
This book was only so-so. I loved the idea of the plot: man loves woman from afar, woman is with someone else, woman leaves someone else, man tells woman he loves her. I love this type of story. But this one is so short and so underdeveloped that it is hard to really delve into it fully and come to love and feel for the characters.
I read this in a few short hours so if you're looking for a little chewing gum for the mind, go ahead and pick this one up. Would be great for a short plane or car trip.
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