Naked Love originated as a monthly newsletter story, culminating in the final publication of it as a novel. Every month, Jewel E. Ann offered a few chapters, encouraging readers to offer insight into the story. Needless to say, this reader tuned in every month to read more of this story.
This book is a rom-com with everything that is right about rom-coms: funny dialogue, comical situations, an “off-the-charts” chemistry between the H/h, and moments of angst that add a depth to the comedy. This story tenderly offers the message that we all need to be accepted and loved for those parts of us that make us special. It is a message that is timeless.
This is a story of opposites attracting. Jake is the co-owner of a vegan cafe chain. He is everything granola and natural. He lives his life organically, forgoing the materialism of society. Avery is a “princess.” She loves shopping, name brands, make-up, hair, and everything that glitters. They meet and, due to various circumstances, road trip from Milwaukee to California where Avery lives and Jake has a cafe. From the start, the fireworks start. They are so very different. Yet, in their differences, they begin to change each other. It’s these moments of the story that make this story special.
I found myself laughing uproariously at Avery and Jake’s verbal sparring matches and revenge tales to crying tears for the fundamental changes spurred by deep hurts in each of the characters. It’s the ability of this book to mine to the depths of all of the reader’s emotions that makes it engaging. Jewel E. Ann takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions whether it is detesting Avery’s vanity or Jake’s judgmental perspective to empathizing in the hurts of both to laughing aloud at the funny moments of the two.
In the end, acceptance is necessary. Loving someone no matter their foibles is necessary. As Jake tells Avery at the end of Naked Love, “…our love is…flawed and perfect…[…] It’s honest and open. It’s naked, Ave…our love is a naked love.” In a world where everyone seems invested in themselves, finding a little “naked love” is necessary.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In love and romance,
Professor A
