We've invited four guest reviewers to share their thoughts on some of our recent ‘we can’t stop talking about them’ favorites.
Banner made by Jenny Kate
Watch and See by JiffyKate
Her sexual experience is limited, at best. She's never found pleasure in it, so what's the point? Now, though, she wants what he's giving. Seeing the women fall apart against his window has her yearning and wanting to the point she almost combusts sitting on the ledge, merely an observer. What would it be like if she were one of them? Rated M
VampiresHaveLaws ~
Do you love a bit of stalking?
Do you love some exhibitionism?
Do you love ice cream?
If you answered “yes” to all the above (especially the last one), you don’t need to go home, you’re not drunk, and you’re going to love Watch and See by JiffyKate.
When the girls kindly shared a sneak peek with us a few months back, I knew I was going to be all-in with this one. What hit me instantly, was how much fun the story was. There was something harmless about Bella’s voyeurism, despite the context. I mean, yes, she’s spying on her neighbour as he does the naughty with his conquests, which isn’t everyone’s day-to-day life, but this Bella is relatable. She has mother issues, and confidence issues, and comes across incredibly lonely sometimes. She takes her needs into her own hands—quite literally.
And that, right there, really stood out for me.
It’s unusual for Bella to be taking the more dominant role like that. But this story isn’t just about hot neighbours and finding release. It’s smart, and incredibly well-written. There are a lot of layers here. Bella has deep-rooted pain. Edward’s exhibitionism seems to be more of an addiction. Like he needs that physical release to mask whatever else he’s hiding. It’s almost like a therapy session for them both. They’re both gaining from Edward’s conquests. And this Edward … there’s more to him than meets the eye, and a twist I definitely wasn’t expecting.
If you haven’t cracked open this story from this gorgeous duo yet, pull up a chair, find a quiet moment, and come watch and see. Kim xx
JennaRay ~
For me, it all started in a Dallas hotel room. I sat across from both incredible parts of JiffyKate, hanging out and talking fic. It was then that the pearly gates of epic fic opened up and JiffyKate gave me the inside scoop as they began telling me about their next fic. Something out of the box. Something I hadn’t read before. Something that took a creative mind and admittedly, probably a brave soul, too.
In our community, we take a lot of creative liberty in playing with Edward’s. It’s difficult for him to do wrong by us, and we’ll pretty much take him any way he’s served up. But as Jenny Kate lounged across her bed and characterized their new Bella to me, I began to wonder if we would be so accepting of an out-of-the-box Bella. A Bella with a hobby so far removed from our standard issue heroin.
A voyeuristic Bella.
As unsure as I was of how my peers would react to her, I was immediately teeming with excitement to get inside her head. Coming off a fic slump where nothing seemed to be holding my attention, I was hoping this one would be the gem that would suck me in. And I was right.
More blessings rained down on me from the Fic Gods, and I was asked to pre-read the new story titled Watch and See. For weeks following our trip to Dallas, my anticipation of this fic grew and grew. I tried to be patient, but I can’t say that Jiff and Jenny Kate didn’t get their fair share of “So, that story…” nudges from me. Admittedly, I had high expectations of Watch and See going into it. And in true JiffyKate form, they managed to exceed them.
Having read Jiff and Jenny Kate’s work before, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. But perhaps I wasn’t quite prepared for this one to shoot so quickly so high up on this picky reader’s all-time-favorites list. Watch and See is full of everything I’d hoped for and delivers so much more at the same time. Did I expect to be entertained by the inner monologue of a voyeuristic Bella with stalker tendencies? Of course. Did I expect to lose myself in the skillfully crafted words of two of this fandom’s most talented writers? Duh. But did I expect to find this Bella so relatable? To empathize with her so greatly? Hell no!
Admittedly, I probably have more in common with this Bella than most because of similar family issues. However, regardless, I should probably be concerned with what it says about me that I identify so much with this Bella. And I would, if it weren’t for the rest of this fandom losing their shit over this story just like me! Watch and See is something special – something different in a vast sea of stories that can inevitably become pretty repetitive. Yet, in its uniqueness, JiffyKate manages to still deliver themes that we all know and love. With a mysterious Edward that we’re all dying to figure out and an alternate love-interest vying for Bella’s attention, this story is so much more than raunchy smut for the sake of raunchy smut.
It is unlikely that anyone reading this isn’t already reading Watch and See, but if you’re not, you need to be. I know you’ve seen people flailing over this one on Facebook and Twitter, and let me tell you, this is not the story to toss on your TBR list and forget about. This is the story to hit pause on your list for and read right now. The first chapter will suck you in and in a way that may surprise you, compel you to stick by Bella’s side on this journey.
If you haven’t started this one, you’re in for a treat! Turn down the lights, grab a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, and dive into Watch and See to be swept away with the rest of us! (Alone. Because the steam-factor in this one isn’t advisable for public reading!)
Driving Edward~
Drop everything ladies!! I sure did!! When JiffyKate asked me to pre-read their latest story, "Watch and See", I pounced! After their last amazing story "The Other One", I couldn't wait to see what this incredible duo had written. What I didn't realize is that, as I read this story, I would be craving ... wait for it ... ice cream! A great way to cool down when one is feeling "hot" from the summer heat and a fantastic plot point. This story starts out with a bang. Literally. The prologue introduces us to a lonely Bella sitting in her apartment with a pair of binoculars watching hot steamy window sex out her window. Bella has been watching this man out her window every night. And, it's not just about watching him have sex. It's simply ... him.
"Sometimes, I like watching what he does after the women leave almost as much I enjoy watching what he does while they're there. Almost."
Why does this man have a revolving door of sexual conquests? Are they lovers? Is he an escort? She is drawn into his world, without knowing the what, the whos, or whys. As the story begins to unfold, we find Bella is a librarian, with her coworkers Alice and Rosalie. She lives in the city to be close to her mother, Renee, who is in rehab. Renee is a despicable excuse for a mother. When Bella attends a family counseling session, she is shocked to discover that Renee's counselor is the man from the window ... Edward Cullen. Flabbergasted, Bella begins to navigate a professional and somewhat personal relationship with Edward. Each chapter reveals Bella's self-discovery of herself, her relationship with her mother, and her newfound feelings for Edward, the man behind the window. What she is now seeking, beyond her fantasies, is what makes this Edward tick, and how, if ever, can she fulfill her own fantasy with him. But what she begins to realize is that she wants more than the fantasy.
This story is as hot as an egg frying on the sidewalk in the Georgia heat! Yet, beyond the heatfilled moments, one can't help but want to delve deeper. JiffyKate masterfully pulls the reader in, wanting and hoping that each new chapter will give us more insight into both of their worlds. To find out, we will have to "Watch and See".
MoniNP~
Let's admit it... we all have a little voyeur in us.
Watch and See, by JiffyKate, has become my summer naughty pleasure.
We have our little voyeur, the inexperienced, "almost" innocent Bella, living across the street from a gorgeous, sexy Edward, who is an exhibitionist himself, so we start off with a very naughty prologue, a voyeur's dream complete with binoculars and "flavor of the night" ice-cream binge. But there is so much more to this story, we quickly learn of Bella's history dealing with Renee's addiction, the reasons why Bella seems so alone, and become emotionally connected to her. I always love a character that can accomplish that.
The way our dear duo JiffyKate write this story, is perfect, I love the descriptions of her emotions, her strengths, her weaknesses, her explorations into her sexy side, courtesy of her sexy unaware neighbor, her struggles to do the right thing, with a perfect balance of serious, naughty and funny. We are learning a little bit more about Edward with each chapter, and I am looking forward to that, we know of Bella's addiction, looking forward to learn Edward's.
I would invite you to give it a go, embrace your inner voyeur with a little ice-cream in hand.. what is your favorite flavor? Bella's selection for chapter one is Red Velvet Cake...
Enjoy with us, this sexy summer fic! xo - M
PS - I got to meet Jiff & Jenny (JiffyKate) last May, in Dallas. They are every bit as sweet and nice in person as I imagined!
~~~♥~~~
We’d like to thank VampiresHaveLaws, JennaRay, Driving Edward, and MoniNP for sharing their thoughts on this amazing fic.
