Review: Because of Her by Jewel E. Ann (Jack & Jill #6)

November 02, 2023

Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author via Valentine PR.

The man I love is not heartless. He's not a killer. He's human.

He bleeds.

He feels pain.

And sometimes ... he cries.

This book... How do I even begin to explain how long I've waited for Jackson Knight/Jude Day's story? When Jewel E. Ann made the announcement regarding the long awaited, much anticipated addition to her totally obsessed over, too-addictive-for-words Jack & Jill series, I may have bounced excitedly while sitting on my office chair to the point I worried if I would need to buy a new one. Because of Her is THAT book, and the moment it landed in my greedy hands, nothing and no one would get in my way of spending every single minute with Jackson/Jude. Oh, and with Francesca Holter, too. And Black Beauty. And maybe several familiar characters if you're as into the series as I--and countless others are--am into.

Because of Her may be read as a standalone, BUT trust me when I tell you this, your appreciation for the story and male main character will be all the more resounding when you read the books in the series in order. The original Jack & Jill trilogy is composed of End of Day, Middle of Knight, and Dawn of Forever. It's followed by two standalones: One and Out of Love. I suggest you square away a week or a weekend, depending on how quickly you devour books--and believe me, you shall be devouring these novels--to read everything and totally immerse yourself in the undeniable awesomeness that are Jackson Knight/Jude Day, Jillian Knight/Jessica Day, plus friends, lovers, enemies, and MOST importantly, family.

I'm not going to get into the bits and pieces, aka the details, of the book, mainly because I don't want to potentially spoil it for anyone. What I will say is that Jewel E. Ann has given this that Jack & Jill feel, especially when it came to the first three novels, while still allowing Jack and Frankie to have their time in the spotlight. This fifty-something grandfather with killer (take that as you will) vibes who caresses the keys of his baby grand piano in a way that would make almost any woman envious and forty-one-year-old music theory professor with revenge on the brain are a match made in literary heaven. I honestly never thought someone would ever be worthy of Jackson Knight. I was wrong...because of her. Five-plus stars.

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Read my reviews for the Jack & Jill series: