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BEING JADE- Simon & Schuster book review :
4.31 out of 5 based on 37 reviews.

BEING JADE

by Kate Belle

A tragic death. A family divided. Only truth can set them free.

Banjo Murphy is killed on the night he finally walks away from his wife, Jade, after twenty-five years of her adultery. In the aftermath, Banjo is bewildered to discover he still exists, and in despair he watches Jade collapse into deep depression and his daughters, Lissy and Cassandra, struggle with their unexpected loss.

Lissy is tortured by the mystery surrounding her father’s death. What compelled Banjo to leave the night he died? And why won’t Jade talk about what happened? Despite their volatile relationship, Lissy believes her parents’ love to have been enduring, but sensible

Cassandra sees things differently. When Cassy discovers a sketchbook chronicling Jade’s affairs, the truth of their parents’ relationship begins to unfold and Lissy’s loyalties are divided.

Searching for answers, Lissy contacts Jade’s ex-lovers. And watching from afar, Banjo aches as he discovers what these men meant to Jade – until Lissy’s quest reveals an explosive truth …

Being Jade is story about the passion and the bond that is hard to explain but impossible to erase from one’s mind.

Available as eBook or paperback from all major book retailers.

$29.99 paperback, $9.99 eBook


Published 9th July 2014


  • Terrific book !!

    Once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down !!
    Very intriguing, interesting & suspenseful book.
    Loved it !! 🙂

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  • Couldn't put it down

    Riveting from the first page, the author has great story telling abilities, the descriptions were so great that you could picture what was happening and what it looked like. Loved the characters, you felt like you knew them. Can’t wait to read more.

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  • Fantastic read. didn't want to put it down

    Great book. Drew me in and made me feel what the characters felt
    I love a book that i cant put down because its so good and this book did that.
    Fantastic

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  • A good read

    I found the story different and interesting. The characters were well rounded and very real.
    I enjoyed that the story wasn’t predictable.

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  • emotional, thought provoking, encouraging you to question social values

    I have enjoyed reading this novel. It had suspense as it unraveled who Jade is as a person. At times I felt sorry for her whilst other times I was left sheathing at her apparent selfishness. As the ending unraveled I was left still disappointment in her. I understood her behaviour better in some aspects but I felt her pride against Banjo’s incorrect assumptions was devastating. I would read a sequel.

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  • Great book

    This book is just amazing it is so hard to put the book after you read the first page. The story line feels like a real story. I’m in love with the book.

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  • Amazing, enthralling and moving

    I’m supposed to post two reviews on this book one when I start it and one when I finish it but I can’t. I was so enthralled with this book that I couldn’t put it down, I had it read in 5 hours from front to back. The story shocked me and moved me, I even teared up at the end which was a credit to the author. The storyline was dramatic yet you believed it all and you felt it all. Simply amazing, I can’t wait to read another book by the incredible Kate belle.

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  • I read it in one sitting

    BEING JADE by Kate Belle is difficult to review as it is not your typical book. There’s an intriguing plot and vividly drawn characters that engage you in such a way, you can’t put the book down. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting, I wanted to read it that much.

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  • Captivating and enthralling

    I really enjoyed this book. Captivating and enthralling it held my interest from start to finish. Part of the ending I guessed at but, the rest I didn’t see coming. It’s not a light hearted book, rather heavy at times, making you question things you probably would never of thought before. I highly recommend this book.

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  • Fantastic Author. Well written

    Loved this book from cover to cover. Spellbinding, intriguing, mesmerising. So well written you thought you were in the story with the characters. Heart wrenching at times.

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  • Jade needs to be read

    Being Jade is a wonderful book. Kate Bell brings the characters to life so the reader really cares what happens to them. It’s a book you can’t puts down. It is suspenseful and interesting, I loved it and have lent it to a couple of friends who love it as well.

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  • Being read

    I lent my copy of Being Jade to a friend who loved it. She is now wanting to buy her own copy so she can re read it and then hand it on to her family members. Nice to have a positive report when recommending a book as it can be a personal thing where tast differs.

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  • Interesting

    This is a suspenseful book that will test your emotions. It covers lots of contraversial topics. It is a book you will find hard to put down and overall it is a good read. The author is very talented and even though this is not my usual type of book to read, I’m glad I took the time to enjoy it.

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  • Reading Jade

    Not my usual type of book to read but it was a good read. A well written novel by a very talented author. The book covered many emotions. I found Jade to be selfish and her morality questionable. Having said that, once I started reading I couldn’t put the book down.

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  • Overall a great book.

    This was a really good read as with all by this author.
    I read it in a couple of days so for me not to put it down much says it was quite good. A friend of mine and my mum have read it and also enjoyed it.
    Love the variety of reviews on mouths of mums. It helps us busy mums make easy decisions about absolutely everything. Thank you. Enjoyed it and would recommend to other mums.

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  • Being Jade

    Being Jade is a throughly entertaining book.
    From the start, and all the way through to the end, it captivated me, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.
    It’s not your normal romantic novel, and can be quite brutal in describing the behaviour of Jade however, I think that is part of the appeal, what will Jade do next?
    I have read this book a few times now and whenever I get others to read it, the majority have enjoyed it to.

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  • Great Book!

    Being Jade is a book that I really enjoyed reading.
    From start to finish, this book grabbed my attention and held me interested as the story unfolded.
    Some of the story I could see unfolding, other bits caught me by surprise.
    It’s not the usual lighthearted chic lit but rather deep and heavy.
    I throughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

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  • Terrific book !!

    Once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down !!
    Very intriguing, interesting & suspenseful book.
    Loved it !! 🙂

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    Would you recommend this book to other Mums?
    Would you read this author again?


  • I read it in one sitting

    BEING JADE by Kate Belle is difficult to review as it is not your typical book. There’s an intriguing plot and vividly drawn characters that engage you in such a way, you can’t put the book down. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting, I wanted to read it that much.

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  • Sad but interesting

    I found this book quite sad. It dealt with some pretty dark and serious topics, death, adultery, depression, but also love. It came down to all being about love. Some of it was a bit predictable but it was still enjoyable. There were some ‘if only’ moments. Jade and Banjo had great love for each other and it was really interesting going back over her extra-marital “relationships”. Not your usual love story.

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  • Recommended

    Being jade
    After reading the reviews I thought I’d give this a read. I’m sure glad I did.
    It’s an interesting plot, with vividly drawn characters that keep you reading I’m finding it incredibly easy to imagining myself in story. Its seems like its getting more interesting as I go
    I’ve not come across this author before, but will definitely follow through on another title to see if she is this strong across all her writings.

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  • Being jade

    It’s an interesting plot, with vividly drawn characters that keep you reading along each night – I had trouble putting the book down at the end of a chapter to go to bed. The author has a clever narration that makes the book flow really well.
    I’ve not come across this author before, but will definately follow through on another title to see if she is this strong across all her writings.

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  • gripping

    After reading the reviews I thought I’d give this a read. I’m sure glad I did. I couldn’t put it down.definitely not what I was expecting,love, drama, suspense and at times depressing. Give it a read you won’t be disappointed

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  • Not your typical love story

    I just finished reading BEING JADE by Kate Belle for a second time. This novel is a really great read. Be warned however, that it is not your usual chic lit romance story. It is dark, sad and at times depressing. A love story that endures, even though it is not typical of this genre.

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  • I love this book!

    I loved this book. I’ve read it twice now, I just couldn’t put it down! It was amazing and gripping
    It was emotional and heartfelt
    It was cold. But inviting
    I could keep writing things but I loved it so much I want to go and read it again 😀
    I would recommend this book to anyone
    It was one of the best books I’ve read this year
    I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to read it and fall in love with it



  • Captivating & Sad

    I borrowed this book from the library and have just finished reading it. It was captivating but I thought the story itself and the character Jade was narcissistic and sad. It left me thinking about my own life situation and it is a thought provoking book but I would prefer a book with a happy ending as for me reading is an escape, so while it is a worthwhile read, if you are looking for happy and uplifting, this isn’t it.

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  • NOT TOO BAD

    I brought the book an don’t mind it at all… I’m finding it incredibly easy to imagining myself in story. Its seems like its getting more interesting as I go 🙂

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  • Captivating and enthralling

    I really enjoyed this book. Captivating and enthralling it held my interest from start to finish. Part of the ending I guessed at but, the rest I didn’t see coming. It’s not a light hearted book, rather heavy at times, making you question things you probably would never of thought before. I highly recommend this book.

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  • addictive

    Was a very good book to read, one of those where you thought you were part of it. Couldn’t wait to read it again after I finished a chapter

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  • Not my style of book!!

    I can’t say I enjoyed this book. A bit abstract for me… I like books that even though they are fiction, they could be about real life situations! Banjo’s character still around is not believable and also I found this book depressing. I like novels that have uplifting moments and hopefully a happy ending! Life is hard enough and I like to escape into literature!

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Best SIPS’ Chapel Hill Enlightened Wines review team put the Rosé and Pinot Grigio through their paces, and the feedback was unanimous: both are fresh, light and perfect for summer sipping without the unwanted morning crogginess.

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Women trying Chapel Hill Enlightened Rosé.
A summer staple … on the lighter side

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Keen to get these in your cart? Leave us a comment below!

  • The warmer weather tends to make alcohol go to my head faster – I’m not a big drinker, but just for that reason I’d seriously consider a low alcohol wine. The Pinot Grigio particularly sound as if I might enjoy it. I might well buy a bottle or two for Christmas.

    Reply

  • Looks delicious, would be keen to try their wines based off the reviews. Love anything local and the light wine is just an extra win – low alcohol content would be fab for nights with friends where we all still have to drive home afterwards so would be buying for that type of event!

    Reply

  • Chapel Hill Wines do have quite a good reputation. I like the fact that it is low alcohol content. Personally, I like a very sweet wine but many would like these as they are not so sweet. I wish them well with sales and think it’s good they are doing something about lowering alcohol level.

    Reply

  • Thanks for sharing this review. It sounds that the taste is good, the price is good and the alcohol content is really low indeed. I do like the fact that they’re light. One of the things I don’t like when you’re drinking a couple of glasses that it fills you up and it affects your appetite

    Reply

  • I appreciate all the reviews and think this is an excellent way to get your brand out there and known.

    Reply

  • I like the sound of the Pinot Grigio and will look out for it next time I’m at the bottle shop.

    Reply

  • I just asked the forum for recommendations on zero alcohol, but this is an attractive option as well! I do enjoy a Rose, so will try this one after all the positive reviews. It’s a shame they don’t have a sparkling in their collection yet! Would have been prefect for all the celebrating at this time of year.

    Reply

  • I dislike rose, but the pinot grigio sounds like it might suit me. To be honest, the alcohol content doesn’t bother me all that much – I rarely drink more than a glass or two anyway – but it would probably be nice from a general health point of view to know I’m consuming less alcohol.

    Reply

  • This sounds like the perfect glass. I do love being able to have a few drinks and not be all over the place about me. And as a bubbly girlie from Adelaide myself, I’m sure I’ll find a lot to like about this drop. Crisp and not too sweet, I’m sold and will have to try it.

    Reply

  • It was the first time for me hearing about the chapel hill brand. And i still recall when i picked up the Pinot Grigio from my local, the staff there actually stopped me and said i picked a winner! She said that it was probably the best Pinot they had available to sell.

    Reply

  • I’ve heard a lot of good things about Chapel Hill wines and the reviews are always good. I like that they have low alcohol range as I like to have a few glasses when I finally get to have one. Not being too sweet is a bonus that suits me well.

    Reply

  • The idea of having a lower alcohol content wine without compromising taste is really exciting. There’s nothing worse than feeling “under the weather” from the effects of alcohol. This lovely wine ticks all the boxes, lower alcohol and a refreshing flavour. I’m keen to get the Pinot Grigio in my cart and into my fridge!

    Reply

  • This wine sounds delightful and really refreshing to enjoy on a summer afternoon. I love that it tastes fresh and crisp and still has the same punch as other wine. It sounds like an absolute delight. I will have to give it a try next time i am at the bottle shop looking for some wine.

    Reply

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