ENTWINED WITH YOU by SYLVIA DAY

There’s Bared To You then Reflected In You; now here’s Entwined With You.

The third installment in the Crossfire series, Entwined With You is the turning-point chapter for the kind of people Eva and Gideon have become as they pick up the pieces of their relationship after such a character-defining incident in the previous book.

Day One of my life was the day I met you. – Gideon Cross

First things first, the romantic gestures, both the simple and the grand, are a foolproof winner for me. I’m a sucker for such things which this book has plenty of. It kept my grip of the novel tight.

Favorite part would be the wedding at the Caribbean. That would be every cheesy girl’s dream, and it couldn't have gotten any better than that. Hearts all over the place! It was more of the intimacy of the ceremony and the purity of each other’s intentions that made it a very fitting wedding for Eva and Gideon.

If souls could be mated with wishes, ours would be inextricably entwined. – Eva Tramell

Now onto the criticisms.

Entwined With You felt more like just a continuation of book two, in a way that I didn’t actually open up a new book, just a new chapter covering a very long denouement.

There was nothing in particular that stood out for me. Sorry but I think the first half of the book could have been skipped without missing much. I mean, most could have just been mentioned in passing, not combed through, because they somehow took the life out of the story gradually. What’s that word again, dragging.

Worst of worsts, I was not satisfied with the ending. It was too abrupt! It could not have ended right there and then, but it did. Whaaaaat? I was left hanging at the last page of this book and not in a crap-that-is-a-killer-ending-i-need-to-read-the-next-book-asap kind of way, but in a what-is-it-really-the-ending-it-does-not-seem-likely-it-is-too-soon kind of way. Yes, there were many issues such as Eva’s video, Anne Lucas’ surfacing, Cary plus Tatiana plus baby, Corinne minus the baby, the secret marriage, and Eva’s clash with Gideon’s mother which all feel like a lot but are actually not that much. Frankly, even when combined, they still did not suffice to awaken the excited reader in me. Book two’s climax was a real climax; this wasn’t.

Angel, a crowd of millions couldn’t hide you from me. I found you once. I’ll always find you. – Gideon Cross

In general, I guess I was more disappointed than thrilled with how the story went down. As it turns out, Crossfire is not just a trilogy, which I initially thought, but a five-part series. Rumor has it Captivated By You and the last book have yet to be released on November this year and sometime around 2015 respectively. And because I went through the first three books, I might as well read the remaining ones for closure’s sake.

Are you done reading this book? Share your thoughts!

xx

Photo source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15731779-entwined-with-you

REFLECTED IN YOU by SYLVIA DAY

Reflected In You picks up where the story of Eva and Gideon left off with Bared To You with more outside forces – their families, friends, shrink, and mainly previous relationships – and more action and more drama getting involved along the way.

This sequel digs deeper on the effects and repercussions of the traumatic sexually abusive pasts of both central characters, acknowledging the fact that in the first novel said history was only introduced and barely discussed. In great connection, trust issues are brought up once more. But above and beyond all their problems, this book shows how deep their love for each other has gotten into them physically, emotionally, mentally, and romantically.

“You’re the greatest risk I’ve ever taken. And the greatest reward.” – Gideon Cross

First off, this book is too graphic! There was too much sex happening! And it did not fail to document every detail of how things went down where that aspect was concerned. Haha! I mean I knew what I was in for, but it still surprised me when I read line after line after line of raw and carnal sex. Haha!

“Because of you, the world makes sense to me in a way it didn’t before. I have a place now, with you.” – Gideon Cross

If Eva and Gideon have proven anything, it is that them holding on to the love they have for each other, no matter how quirky and crazy it is, is worth everything. Though their appreciation for and treatment of each other are quite hard to dig and relate to, the resulting actions of their extreme degree of love is still pretty romantic stuff. Indeed, love knows no bounds.

Talking about quirks and craziness, their fights became tiring at times. It was sometimes hard to empathize because it felt more like an exhausting game, going from attachment to detachment and back, between Eva and Gideon with all their trust issues and lack of communication and impulsive reactions all throughout the story. And I was just helplessly observing and there was nothing more I could do.

Truth be told, it took me a longer time to finish reading this one because I paused for moments since apparently the hassles of their relationship got into me, and I just felt tired after every heavy argument, which was the least of what I’d wish to feel while into a book.

Halfway through Reflected In You, I realized it was not as romantic and tear-jerker for me as it should have been. Sure, there were sweet exchanges of promises and acts of love but they did not overshadow nor equal to the stresses and problems of them as individuals and as a couple.

“People get over love. They can live without it, they can move on. Love can be lost and found again. But that won't happen for me. I won't survive you, Eva.” – Gideon Cross

This was why I was surprised to be facing suspense near the end of the book. It was in the last pages leading up to the murder and investigation when I regained my interest to continue with it. I had to find out what had happened, and when I did, I could not believe it. Damn. Now, there really is something to look forward to in the final novel.

I didn’t expect that the plot would build up to such conclusion, and it left me intrigued enough to want to get started with the last book of this trilogy asap. I’m ready!

Are you done reading this book? Share your thoughts!

xx

*Photo sources: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13596809-reflected-in-you

BARED TO YOU by SYLVIA DAY

(Late post!)

BDSM-themed novels are in full bloom nowadays, and they are something still new to me. Only now am I being introduced to these erotic stories, starting from the Fifty Shades Trilogy. And I must say they are very interesting novels indeed. Haha!

Bared To You is the first of the Crossfire Trilogy. It is one erotic-romantic novel about Eva Tramell and Gideon Cross.

With just one good look at each other, Eva and Gideon already feel the irresistible and affectionate connection between them. Circumstances tell us this love story is going to be anything but uncomplicated, though. They both have pasts that keep haunting them, which, in turn, affect the relationship they are still trying to build. Many times sex is their only way to reassure themselves they are still willing to make whatever it is they have work.

I’m going to try hard not to compare everything about this book with the Fifty Shades Trilogy although there really are so many obvious similarities! There’s just no way you won’t be reminded of the former. Ugh. Haha.

Bared To You is an encouraging book for readers because it is an easy-read. The story has complications, but the book itself is a very simple one. You just got to go with the flow, and everything shall sail smoothly.

I want there to be happily-ever-afters for the fucked-up crowd. Show me the way, Eva honey. Make me believe. – Cary Taylor

I kind of like this novel since it is a fast-paced fiction. A lot of things have already taken place in just a short period of time, and that just about adds excitement to the plot. Maybe this is because the story delves in to detail but not in too much detail. J

Of course there are erotic scenes, many actually, but I consider them to be a vital part of the story. Besides, they are pretty bearable. (No need to safeword Crossfire. Haha.) I can say they are erotic but not way over the top erotic. Or did I just become too used and naïve with all the carnal sensuality after reading the Fifty Shades Trilogy? I don’t know. Haha.

I think the story has no climax. If there is any, maybe it did not stand out as the highest point of the novel. All the story’s complexities seem to be at par with each other, so the turning point is not as convincing and noticeable, which I consider kind of sad. Maybe it’s also the reason why the story as a whole does not have an impact to its readers, or at least to me.

Anonymity was my friend. – Eva Tramell

Fifty Shades of Grey or Bared To You?

Still Fifty Shades, because I do think that it has a more unique and hooking story.

Okay, I failed. I said I wouldn’t compare, but I still did. I just couldn’t help myself. They are so the same! Haha.

But hey, there are still a lot to know in the sequel. I am intrigued with Gideon and what he’s going through. Heck, he was about to rape Eva while sleeping, how’s that? And why’s that? Hmmm, need to read Reflected In You ASAP! J

Don't. Tell me when, then. And before you say never, take a good look at me and tell me if you see a man who's easily deterred. – Gideon Cross

Are you done reading this book? Share your thoughts!

*photo source: http://www.biggie.co.nz/article/win_bared_to