Book Review – The Life That Mattered by Jewel E. Ann

The Life That Mattered (The Life Series Book 1)

This review is going to be short and sweet ’cause basically… here’s the thing. I have NO clue where this is going. And I loved every second of it. And the only way a proper review is going to come forth is once I read the duet conclusion so I can finally figure things out. No matter what, it’s fantastic!

MichelleS: Finished The Life That Mattered, by Jewel E Ann, late last night. 5 stars!! …I love everything she writes. I am in love with Ronin Alexander. I have a dozen ideas where this might go, and I’m sure I’m wrong on all counts!

Mona: The new Jewel E. Ann, The Life that Mattered, is excellent! (No surprise there, it is Jewel E. Ann). I never like to say too much because I’m afraid I’ll give the story away, but the book gave me the same feels as two old movies—Phenomenon with John Travolta (1996) and Powder (1995). It ends on a cliffhanger but the second book, The Life You Stole, is scheduled for release on Feb. 20. I NEED the second book now!!

Lisa: I was fortunate enough to read an ARC of The Life That Mattered and it was absolutely fantastic. Very different from some of her other stuff – but still swoonworthy romance, a bit of intrigue, angst, relatable characters, people you cheer for, characters you dislike and suspect of having ulterior motives, a tiny smidge of parapsychological. It does end on a heck of a cliffhanger, and so I’m counting down the days till Book 2 releases, but I was all in. Didn’t put it down!! And anyone who thinks the blurbs for Book 1 and Book 2 make it sound like it’s about a threesome, or foursome, or cheating, it’s not that at all. Of course, Book 2 could go a whole different way – it’s Jewel E Ann after all!

Marissa: The duet is absolutely phenomenal! Made my heart race, my head spin and my eyes leak ♥️😉

Kelsey: It is freakin’ INCREDIBLE. 🤎

It’s a total romance/love story though I have no clue if it’s going to end well for me or not. By some reactions, there appears to be teams, and while I’ve been desperately avoiding spoilers, I HAVE NOT been able to avoid reactions. Some have LOVED #2 (or at least, revelled in it) and some have been pretty… upset. I’ll save those comments (the upset ones) for review #2 ’cause I don’t want to read them yet. LOL!!! In case I get an impression that I don’t want, going into it…

Maryse: The duet conclusion is LIVE!! I’m reading this duet as we speak (#1 is smoking hot so far!!) and so many in our crew LOVED #1 and have been anxiously awaiting this one. YAY US!!!!

Kelsey: Dude. You haven’t seen ANYTHING yet.

Layne: Brace yourself! That duet is incredible!

Darcie: Omg it’s soooooooo good!!!!!

Angela: Hey Maryse, I just finished reading a 2 part book series from Jewel E Ann , The life that mattered and The life you stole. I’m blown away. Talk about whiplash! It started out so innocent and easy. Well it certainly didn’t end that way. If you haven’t had a chance to read this series yet please add it to your list . It has friendship, love, sex, shock, anger, denial and so much more. I whipped though the second book in a day lol. I couldn’t put it down.

Kristen: 😳😳 I read the first book last night. As in, I went to bed at 9, woke up at 11 and couldn’t go back to sleep so I read the whole thing til 4am. I couldn’t stop! Then I started book 2, because I was hanging off a cliff. 🤩😍

It’s not a psych-thriller (at least no so far), it doesn’t have any infidelity (at least… not yet – but holy moly is that where it’s going?? Nooooooo. Yes? Noooo. I have no clue). Some romance angst issues. The typical concern for a loved-one issues and a bit of confusion… over… *things*. Abuse issues? I can’t quite tell yet, but one of the couples is giving me that tone…

It’s definitely got that whole soulmate thing going on, and something so ethereal, so HUMAN yet… deeper than a human connection, but I can’t figure out who actually has the deepest connection. Or… connections. You’ll see. 😉 This literally could go ANYWHERE at this point.

What’s it about? I’ll tell it the same way I told my friend Jennifer:

Jennifer: I’m so torn….which one do I start first? …Everything is hitting me in the feels and so idk if I go stressful angst or funny/sexy.

Maryse: I’m enjoying The Life That Mattered for sure, and I’m maybe like 5% away from being finished. It was easier on me than I expected but apparently book #2 loses its mind which made many LOVE it… and some not-so-love it. So I’m intrigued!!

Jennifer: The Life That Mattered…is it a mystery? I’m kinda having trouble getting a handle on the synopsis.

Maryse: Ummm… not a mystery. Not a thriller (yet). She meets this guy and they have an amazing connection, and it’s about their lives together along with the lives of HER best friends (who are also a couple). A moment of super-steam almost happened… nothing as crazy since. But!! There’s always a but.

And there is an issue she is becoming aware of… and I’m suspicious of a few things…

Jennifer: So it’s naughty? You don’t do naughty do you?

Maryse: I’m into the naughty as long as it feels real. Like… sneaks up on me and doesn’t make me realize it’s happening until it’s happening and then holy moly it’s so REAL and hot and I can’t stop and neither can they… ya know? LOL!!!

Maryse: I thought it WOULD be naughty and it caught me off guard BUT it totally changed to romance with issues. LOL! The naughty happened right in the beginning… but didn’t. Though might it happen later? Maybe… it’s been hinted at as a joke between friends a few times.

Jennifer: Girl you’re killing me. Now I don’t know….so they switch? Wait don’t tell me. Lol

Maryse: And there’s a twist you wont see coming but as soon as you realize it, you’ll be all YEP! That’s a Jewel E. Ann story!

Jennifer: I love JEWEL E ANN! Omg she’s one of my fave!

Maryse: Me too 😀 It’s clever and what has me is that I have NO idea where it’s going. NONE. Supposedly it goes crazy in #2, and people thrilled over that. And some people were not happy. Which just makes me wanna know more. LOL!!!

Jennifer: Ohhh this’ll be good! I’m gonna have to start reading.

I mean… it’s got a hint of super-steamy (and I was almost in shock at one point ’cause I totally thought it was… *ahem* going somewhere) and I’m still not sure it’s not gonna head there… and I’m a bit scared. And let’s be real. Titillated. 😉 Oh yes… I usually skim the usual steamy stuff, but this was out of the usual for me and I didn’t even realize I was still reading until it was too late and I was thoroughly freaking out. Er… and ummm….  also *blush*… HOOKED. LOL!!!!

Maryse: Ohhhhhh myyyyyyy… 😲🥵 *fans self* Where is this book taking me? *whoooooo*

Nicole: OMG. I just finished reading The Life Series. It was sooooo good! I’m sitting here looking at my kindle saying, “What. Did. You. Do to me?”.

Maryse: HOLY. MOLY.

But in reality this story is so much more than that. Truly. I have a feeling that steamy stuff is gonna factor in and cause a serious ruckus, but right now, this one is so crazy-unique, and totally typical Jewel E. Ann storytelling.

The minute you clue in to what’s happening, you’ll smile to yourself and think Ahhhh yes. I see where this part is going.

But do you?

Did I? I thought I did until the end.

And I know I have to start #2 IMMEDIATELY to get to the bottom of this one. I literally have NO clue. None.

What mess is this going to make of us? I don’t even care. I AM SO IN!!!!

4.5 STARS <— Kept me intrigued and reading and makes me want to continue on to the next one right away!