If I Were You (Inside Out Trilogy) [Kindle Edition]

Lisa Renee Jones (Author)

Book Description

The steamy first installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones, in the bestselling tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.

When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she’s shocked and enthralled by the erotic life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer—until the terrifying final entry.

Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca’s life. Soon she’s working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca’s friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager of the gallery and a famed artist, Sara realizes she’s going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she’s not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Now Optioned to STARZ for TV! 

***

Don't miss the connected novellas REBECCA'S LOST JOURNALS out now! 

• Rebecca's Lost Journals: The Seduction
• Rebecca's Lost Journals: The Contract
• Rebecca's Lost Journals: His Submissive
• Rebecca's Lost Journals: My Master

***

This book was tense, exciting and compelling it commands your senses and DEMANDS that you pay attention -- Reviewed by Shauni -- For more reviews by Shauni check out Tea and Book and

Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy

From the Author

Booklist says: Jones' suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann. 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 896 KB
• Print Length: 357 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1476726043
• Publisher: Gallery Books; Original edition (September 13, 2012)
• Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0095VKZUK
• Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,306 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 109 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, sexy, & suspenseful! August 14, 2012

By BookcaseLaura

Format:Paperback

After being teased by the first chapter a month or two ago, I was extremely excited and anxious to finally be able to read this book. I was not disappointed at all! Author Lisa Renee Jones has managed to create a book that is not only a well written and engaging story, but does double duty as a super-hot and sexy romance novel as well. A great feat indeed! It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of her previous work, but If I Were You is, by far, my favorite of hers to date. I just loved it! From page one, it grabs your attention with an interesting and suspenseful storyline and in-your-face sexuality. I could not put it down! I was vacationing in Ireland when I read it, and I found myself wanting to stay in bed and read instead of going out to sight see. It's been compared to Fifty Shades of Grey with good reason - damaged and super-possessive male introduces (somewhat) innocent female into a whole new world beyond her imagination. He's super possessive and super protective (swoon!) and the sex is oh-so-very hot, and I have the feeling it's just going to get hotter in the upcoming books. For those tentative readers who are shying away from the BDSM books, this one would be a good one to start with because it's introduced and discussed without being overly graphic (yet?). I loved the mystery aspect and storage wars theme, and I learned a little about both art and wine while reading it - what more could you ask for in a book?! After having only read book one of a planned trilogy, I already can tell I'm going to like this series even more than the Fifty Shades one. I cannot wait for book two!

I received a copy of this book from the author through NetGalley.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Intense, Passionate and Intriguing August 24, 2012

By Gitte -TotallyBookedBlog

Format:Kindle Edition

Right, so this book is being described as Fifty Shades meets Basic Instinct. Well, I didn't get that at all. Yes there were issues that were of similar nature to Fifty Shades, if anything, at times there were a few similarities to Bared to You. However, in no way did I read this story and think hang on, this is a rip off. These issues of similarities were few and far between and not enough to compare. Perhaps the Basic Instinct comparison becomes apparent in book 2 or 3?

The story was quite unique and had more than one story line running through it. It actually had just about everything you would want in a great book. It had drama, heart break, yummy sexy romance, mystery and tormented characters. It was dark and thrilling and I couldn't put it down, the mystery of it making me want to know more; yeah, I loved it!!! I think this series will be a winner!! If you; like me, enjoy books with passion, dark alpha males and intense intrigue you will love this story!
As with all series, the first book can act as the ultimate teaser, this one is no exception. It had me consumed with its intensity, passion and depth. I was sold right from the start and eagerly await book two as yes there's a cliff hanger but then again all the great series have one of these right?!

If I Were You has two very sexy domineering alpha males, I was drawn to both of them but have a clear favourite (at the moment). One we got to know a little bit, one not so much, he is still a mystery that I cannot wait to uncover (yes I really said that ;0)
This story is written in Sara's POV. Now, I found Sara to be quite intense, perhaps it was the inner dialogue which made me feel like I was in her head a lot of the time. A very emotional place to be for sure. Sara came across very lost and lonely, she has been damaged in her past, unable to find that happy place in her life, so instead she gets sucked into someone else's. Almost like an avoidance ploy. Trying to solve someone else's wretched existence in order to avoid the one she herself leads. Sara has her own fears, heart-break and emotional issues buried so deep; shaping her existence.

The beginning of this journey finds Sara, who is a school teacher, coming across the diary of a girl named Rebecca. The content intrigues as well as shocks her in many ways and she grows concerned for the safety of this girl. The diary contains intense descriptions of her alluring yet destructive affair with a dominant and controlling man who is as yet unnamed. Sara decides to investigate the life of Rebecca in order to return the diary to her. Add to that the lure of an Art Gallery where Rebecca works which houses the true love of Sara's life; Art. Ultimately Sara becomes a "watcher" of Rebecca's life. This is where she meets Mark, the owner of the Art Gallery and Chris who is one of the famous Artists housed in this gallery.

So, we have Mark who is handsome in that stern ruthless way; arrogant and cocky, completely controlling and intense. Overall very enigmatic and sexy in a really intimidating way! Could he be the unnamed man?

Then we have Chris who is a very talented and wealthy artist whom Sara has admired for years, and is instantly attracted to. Chris is also extremely cocky and arrogant and clearly likes control yet he is also very sweet, kind and intensely protective of Sara from the get go, despite proclaiming he has a dark side. Could he also be the unnamed man?!

The relationships between these three characters take over the story. Mark and Chris are intrinsically linked and it seems there is no love lost between them. Chris and Sara embark on an emotionally charged affair that begins to dominate the storyline pushing the plight of Rebecca into the background.

There are so many questions left unanswered in this book, which is ultimately why it is so brilliant. Rebecca, her disappearance and the unnamed man being the underlying theme. Who is he and what happened to Rebecca?

I can highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the next instalment!

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Talk Supe Review August 13, 2012

By Braine @ Talk Supe

Format:Paperback

Full review at [...]

IF I WERE YOU by Lisa Renee Jones to me feels more like Fifty Shades of Grey than Basic Instinct. Sara McMillan reminded me of Anastasia Steele in that she's meek, introverted, smart, a tad insecure and a minx between the sheets. The men linked to her are rich, irresistible and charmingly dangerous it's hard to stay immune to them as they slowly woo Sara into their dark and seductive world. As far as book one of LRJones' new series is concerned, it still straddles the lines of contemporary romance and erotica, kink is non existent but it reared it's ugly head by the end of the story. In a nutshell, IF I WERE YOU is a story about romance and dangerous liaisons that kept me flipping the pages because of the heat, urgency and mystery that Lisa Renee Jones wove together easily.

Throughout IF I WERE YOU I liked Sara enough to keep on reading, it is after I've mulled over the story that I realized she grew on me and I feel for her the way she feels for Rebecca: fascinated and protective. Sara's intuitive, sincere, a little naive but at the same time she's also impulsive and has a little wicked gleam in her eye if you look closely. The recent turn of events had her succumbing to her whims over rationality, she sees the warning signs in neon color and shouty capitals but instead of perceiving it as dangerous, she looks at it as something new and exciting. And even is Sara's back story is not as messed up as Eva Trammel's I still found myself worried over her, Sara has daddy issues and her last relationship was far from blissful so the last thing I want for her is stumbling into a relationship that will surely leave her broken and bruised. Literally and figuratively.

But the real clincher is this whole business with Rebecca Mason. The girl can write some serious erotic tales and like Sara, I want to know what happened to her or if she's even alive and well! Rebecca's desperate cry for help to get out of her relationship is practically screaming at the reader. There's so much about Rebecca that got me rattled, for one she sounds trapped in this thing with her Master, not knowing if she can get out or if he will let her. Next it's quite obvious that Rebecca has become a trained sub and even if she wants to escape, a part of her craves the expert dominance her lover applies on her. Rebecca's story is like a rabbit-hole getting out of it isn't a guarantee.

The ending is no better, after Mark one-upped Chris by telling Sara what a sneaky bastard his new boyfriend is, Chris retaliates by outing Mark and their shared kinky lifestyle. This of course triggers Sara's panic button and I'm so proud of her for standing her ground and walking away from Chris and Mark's power play. Now the last scene put me in suspense, it's one of those WTH?! moments we are not fond (but very addicted to) of reading. Something happened which makes me wonder if Sara is safe or if she was mortally threatened by something or someone.

*copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

More About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT TRILOGY which has sold to more than ten countries for translation with negotiations in process for more, and has now been optioned by STARZ Network for a cable television show, to be produced by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland).

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 30 books with publishers such as Simon and Schuster, Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, NAL, Berkley and Elloras Cave, as well as crafting a successful indie career. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on twitter and facebook daily.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#87 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#4 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Suspense

#6 in Books > Romance > Romantic Suspense

#25 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

#27 in Books > Romance

#30 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Contemporary

#4 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Suspense

#6 in Books > Romance > Romantic Suspense

#25 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

#27 in Books > Romance

#30 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Contemporary