EDIBLE (Exquisite #3) by ELLA FRANK – REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Reviewed by Jenny & Gitte

4.5 yummy Cole Stars!

Gitte: Without doubt my favourite of the series so far. I had a feeling I was going to LOVE this one and I truly did. For so many reasons like, Cole, Caramel Sweets, Cole, Caramel Cole oh and Cole (never have I ever wanted to be a wrapped piece of caramel sweetie as much as I did reading Edible!). But it’s not all about Cole, I’ve always been intrigued by Rachel and there was so much more to her than I ever suspected, loved her even more in Edible.

The chemistry between Rachel and Cole is beyond sizzling. It’s burning hot and the fact that their meeting in Entice is still a strong memory for me upon starting Edible just shows the strength of these characters and their explosive connection. I give my utmost praise to Ella Frank for her brilliance and her excellent writing when creating these characters.  I devoured this book, spending most of the time sat in my freezer with my burning hot kindle in hand.

“Beneath his tamed and polished exterior, Cole was a fucking animal, and she wanted to be devoured by him.”

Seriously, what I absolutely loved about Cole is how composed, calm and controlling he is by day in his suit. He doesn’t even have to raise his voice, all you need is his eyes on you, his eloquent but demanding words and you’d follow him anywhere. Then, get him in the bedroom and this man has one passionate filthy mouth on him…

“You know, for a man so immaculately dressed, your mouth is filthy, and your manners are terrible.”

“I don’t really think it’s my manners that you’re interested in.”

Days later I’m still fantasising about a sexy composed lawyer in a suit (that hides a body made for sin) with that compelling, confident and hypnotising look in his eyes….Yeah I’m fantasising about Cole! Seriously…wow….just wow!!  Now, Cole wears a suit WELL…but…he also the way he sheds that suit….even BETTER….I replayed it in slow-motion many times in my head…Hmm should I be admitting to this openly Jenny?!

“Cole was a man who exuded confidence. He projected strength and determination in every aspect of his life, and it only made sense that he would carry it over to the bedroom. This wasn’t a man who was playing at anything; this was a man who lived the only way he knew how.”

Jenny:  Ummmm Damn straight! Admit it! Say it loud and proud girlfriend! I’m right there with you in regards to “Sex on Legs Cole”  In and out of a suit! He’s hiding a lot under that suit that’s for sure……Hmmm where was I? Oh yeah..review…

I absolutely adored Exquisite, but have to say that Edible is hands down for me, my favourite out of the series! I was a gonner immediately and once Cole came on the scene…well, snared is an understatement.

I had high hopes for this book after falling for Cole in the previous little snippets we had of him and Rachel has always intrigued me. Together I expected their story to sizzle, but I have to say their story actually exceeded my expectations.

“Oh no, please. I’m not married. You can call me Rachel.”  Oh I plan to call it – when I’m deep inside you while you’re screaming my name

It wasn’t just the sexual chemistry between Cole and Rachel in this book, we learned so much about these two…their secrets, their sorrow, their pain and there really was so much depth to both these characters. Sure they sizzled…holy hell did they sizzle! But they both had me in tears at various times through the book.  Theirs was an emotional tale and what a perfectly told one it was.  Yep! I loved everything about this book!

Do not even get me started on Cole. I. Have. No. Words.  Of all that is holy, that man is one of THE sexiest male characters I have read.

“Hmmm, that’s much better. Whenever you are waiting for me, always wait as though I’m above you and about to slide inside you. Always be ready for me.”

GULP! This man is still consuming my thoughts too Gitte and what he did for a suit…..well, Armani should bag it and tag it because wow!

If she thought he had been dangerous with clothes, removing them had just made him lethal.

All I can say is lucky the law firm where I work doesn’t have guys like Cole because us ladies would get no work done!  Cole really was like night and day. One persona out of the bedroom and good grief….a whole different persona in it and I LOVED them both!

Gitte: I loved Rachel for being who she really is without changing herself for others. Prior to reading Edible I thought she was the fun, sassy, and quirky sister of Mason and I really loved her self-assurance. In Edible we see a more serious side as we learn secrets of her silent suffering. During all what she’s gone through she never lost herself or who she is instead she safe guards herself with rules control as she tries to ‘survive’ and move past what has marred her life. I thought this girl showed great strength and her values and views on life were admirable. When Rachel wants something she doesn’t hesitate, she will question, maybe even drag her feet but ultimately she will go for it when she knows it’s right. Such a lonely, sweet, funny and compassionate girl with a huge heart.

“Rachel knew she was outside the box. She was okay with that; she had people in her life that loved her because of that. Mason, Josh, Wendy, and now Lena and Shelly all loved her just the way she was, but when she was alone in bed late at night, she found that it wasn’t enough anymore.”

A girl who’s got a penchant for bright colours, leather trousers and a man named Cole who doesn’t take no for an answer and who may be a bit of a stalker.

As for taking what you want. Yeah…the LUSH Cole knows exactly what he wants, he knew the minute he saw Rachel in Whipped. He wants her and the taste is long overdue. So when he meets her unexpectedly in the street…bring out the ultimate fighting weapon. The wrapped caramel sweet! Who would have thought a man eating a sweet would ever be so damn sexy? Cole is arrogant, he’s demanding and craves power and control but ultimately he wants Rachel for her, not to change or to have and then be done with. He actually wants her for her and realises that she needs encouragement and time to get over something bad.

“….In that case, I repeat, I won’t touch you again…until you ask me to.”

“And what if that’s never? She countered.”

“It won’t be,” he answered with far too much confidence.”

He’s intrigued…he’s infuriatingly cocky but his intentions and what he strives to get is all good. This man exudes perfection.

“This crazy, spirited, bright haired woman needed to be his permanently.”

Their journey is addictive, passionate, beautiful and extremely sensual and sexy. Ella Frank is the master of anticipation by building the reader up dangling that proverbial carrot, in this case sweet and spicy caramel in front of us as we inhale every word in this story.

“Rachel was finding it harder and harder to breathe. The man is too fucking much – cocky, arrogant, sexy, and bad…”….”When I look at him, I swear I can feel the power radiating from him. It isn’t that he is trying to project it; it’s just such an innate part of who he is..”

Yeah….I’m with Rachel on this one!!!

There were moments in this story where Cole’s past and his ‘life’ had my heart melted into a puddle on the floor. His interaction, the significance of the caramel sweets. The vulnerability in one aspect of his life. Heart breaking!

So many emotional and tender moments too as realisation and the intensity of feelings overwhelmed Rachel and Cole.

“I had no idea it would be you.”

I have to add that I loved getting more of Mason, Lena, Josh and Shelly. We got more of the whole gang together and separately and I enjoyed every minute of it.  They really are fab characters and hearing what they were up to and how they were getting along was brilliant.

Now, surprise surprise…..I may have screamed in excited anticipation when I read the teaser for the next book in this series. Ella Frank…you made Gitte a very, VERY happy reader because your next book….well I don’t want to spoil it but I CANNOT wait!!

Jenny:  One of the things I love about the Exquisite Series, is how Ella Frank has woven the family bonds as the invisible string that holds all these characters together. The family they have, the family they had, and the family they have created with each other. It binds these stories, the characters and it’s something I absolutely adore about The Exquisite series. Siblings Mason and Rachel have a truly unique and wonderful relationship and never is that more apparent than in Edible.

Now for Rachel and Cole.  Well, as I said, I was already head over heels for these two. The heat between them was off the charts and you really do need a freezer to sit in while reading this one!

They have an intensity between them. A lust, a passion that just emanates off the pages. Everything between these two is experienced by the reader.

“Would you like a taste, Rachel?”

There was a naughtiness about Rachel, a cheekiness that I always loved. I was dying to get underneath Rachel’s façade as I knew there was more to her that met the eye.  I didn’t, for one minute, expect what was delivered in Edible. Her story broke my heart and endeared me to her even more. This woman has known pain, hurt and insecurity and hearing the depths of what Rachel had experienced in her life really was a revelation. It was heartbreaking.

The tender moments with Cole, his life, his secrets…well, they just completely stole my heart. I certainly had tears streaming down my face reading these moments. They will melt you completely.

“He looked pained, like someone had ripped out a part of him and told him he couldn’t have it back. “

Edible had it all. It was so much more than a hot read. It was sensual, moving, passionate, steamy, full of emotion with wonderful characters and an truly addictive and at times, sad  storyline. This was an absolute winner!

“How is it that you make me want so many things I had sworn I could do without?” – Cole

I will NEVER be able to chew a caramel ever again without getting hot and bothered and caramel sauce?? Well, I won’t be ordering THAT in public for fear of making a spectacle of myself.

Oh and as for the next book in this series??? OMG! Gitte and I screamed when we read that what it was to be. Talk about a treat and a half! To say we’re happy is an understatement! WE CANNOT WAIT!!!!!