SYNOPSIS
The worldwide phenomenon continues as Eva and Gideon face the demons of their pasts, and accept the consequences of their obsessive desires…
From the moment I first met Gideon Cross, I recognized something in him that I needed. Something I couldn’t resist. I saw the dangerous and damaged soul inside–so much like my own. I was drawn to it. I needed him as surely as I needed my heart to beat.
No one knows how much he risked for me. How much I’d been threatened, or just how dark and desperate the shadow of our pasts would become.
Entwined by our secrets, we tried to defy the odds. We made our own rules and surrendered completely to the exquisite power of possession…
PEPPER & MICHELLE’S JOINT REVIEW
MICHELLE: I was so excited about the third installment of the Crossfire series. I love these books. I just cannot get enough of the intense, obsessive and explosive love between Eva and Gideon. I know that in real life it’s insane but in book life it is EVERYTHING!
PEPPER: Well, to be honest, and don’t hate me, but I was like- gah - I don’t know how much more of these two I can handle. But, I wanted to finish the series. So I jumped in. And I actually liked this book A LOT. I mean, yes they are way to intense for me, but it’s SO good if you think of it in a fantasy world. I even caught myself highlighting stuff he said to her, because it really is sweet. Like:
…”I’ll love you better than anyone else could. I’ll take care of you and make you happy. I know I can.”
MICHELLE: It is! Then again, I have always loved this couple. It is totally twisted and unhealthy but I can’t help loving it. I mean you often see romantic sentiments where people say they would kill or die for someone.
Gideon is not all talk.
He is a man of action. And I like it.
PEPPER: True! And I love that he has the means to accomplish it. I love it when a man is so untouchable that he can do what ever the fuck he wants and people are scared of him. It’s hot. And super alpha. Like this:
MICHELLE: Oh yes. Power is so sexy.
As I am going through the book in my head, I realize this book is hard to review without spoiling it because so much happens. I mean so much major stuff goes on and not just for Eva and Gideon. And after everything that went down in Reflected in You I was hoping these two would get a break and some normalcy. But no.
However, we can talk about one very important thing- we can talk about the sex.
PEPPER:
OH.
MY.
GOD.
Oh my God. Seriously-the best sex ever, in a book, EVER!!!! At first this was me:
And then:
MICHELLE: Seriously!
Two of the hottest sex scenes I have ever read were in this book. And I read a lot of sex scenes in any given week. But these are just in a league of their own.
#1 The club scene. I was so hot and bothered after that I actually did not know what to do with myself.
PEPPER: #2?
MICHELLE: The airplane. I actually might have achieved orgasm just from reading.
Literally the hottest use of the word “scrotum” in the history of writing. By then I just felt like:
PEPPER: Right?! I was wondering why it took me so long to finish this book. And then I realized it was because I had to stop and get my vibe out every 5 seconds so that I could continue. And I know you think I am joking right now. But, I. AM. NOT.
MICHELLE: Our readers might think you’re joking. People who have not read the greatness that is Sylvia Day might think you are joking. I know that you are serious. Because yes.
Now, since we cant give anything away, here’s what else I liked about this book besides the obvious smoking hot sex.
Eva and Gideon have been through the most ridiculous stuff as a couple. I mean no two people have ever spent so much time protecting each other. But what I love in this book is that they finally seem to find their rhythm as a couple. They’ve figured out how to be together, their learning to trust and understand each other and its nice. It’s like:
PEPPER: Yes, I agree. I mean they are both letting go of their trust issues with each other and really believing that they love each other. I was worried there would be a constant back and forth of angst and freaking out about what the other was doing - but it was a nice change of pace having them fully submit to their relationship - see what i did there??
MICHELLE: You’re so witty! Seriously though if I can have a sex life half as hot- no, 1/8 as hot- I will die a happy woman. Sorry- can’t get over the sex.
PEPPER: Girl, don’t be sorry!! If we ever were lucky enough to interview Sylvia Day, I would totally want to ask her how she comes up with these sex scenes. I mean, it’s just so damn real. and HOT. and arousing. Is that weird that I need to know this information?
MICHELLE: No i totally agree. I mean if she is drawing from experience- she deserves a round of applause.
Anyways… some readers were upset that this was not the end. And to them I say- look… We get more Gideon. We get more of the hottest sex ever. And honestly, I feel like I have a lot of questions. I mean I have new questions of course but there is a lot from Bared and Reflected that hasn’t been resolved.
PEPPER: Right. And I am one that CANNOT stand it when the author just abruptly ends the book and wraps everything up so freaking fast. I think having a book 4 and 5 will be nice to work through some of the stuff with a better pace.
MICHELLE: Yes! I hate it when the book gets wrapped up so quickly your head spins. Plus, Sylvia Day gives you so much about the secondary characters. It isn’t just about Eva and Gideon. I am invested in everyone. I am totally in love with Mark and Steve- especially in this book. And of course I love Cary and all the crazy that goes with him. Even Eva’s parents. Some great stuff in this book with them.
PEPPER: Speaking of - I really want a spin off of Victor Reyes and his love life. I am obsessed with him.
MICHELLE: Yes! How can a fictional dad be so hot?!
PEPPER: I don’t even know! But I do love all of the supporting characters. And can I just say, I cannot wait to see what happens with Cary in book 4!
MICHELLE: Tell me about it! I am dying to know more about everyone!
PEPPER: I just have to say one more thing. I really have a lady boner for Eva. This is who I picture:
HOT!!!
MICHELLE: Oh of course. She is amazing in this book.
PEPPER: I wasn’t sure in the first two books and even at the beginning of this one. But I am pretty sure now I want to do her. Or at least be her BFF.
MICHELLE: I agree. She has really come into her own and that is so hot. She knows what she wants but she also sees the whole picture and I love her for it. I think this book really gave us a chance to see the characters grow. Even Gideon has learned how to be a boyfriend. And Eva has learned how to be in a relationship with Gideon.
PEPPER: Yes! I was really rooting for them the whole time. Whereas before I was kind of like:
MICHELLE: Ha! Well I’m so glad you enjoyed this book as much as I did!
PEPPER: I did. I’m interested to see what happens next.
MICHELLE: Same here. Well there you have it folks. Sylvia Day does it again. No, the story does not end here and we are OK with that. Now we have more Eva, more Gideon and a lot more of the hottest sex ever to look forward to!!
AUTHOR INFO
Sylvia Day (aka S. J. Day and Livia Dare) is the #1 New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of more than a dozen award-winning novels translated into over three dozen languages. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Author and her work has been honored as Amazon’s Best of the Year in Romance. She has won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award and been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® award twice.
I totally agree with your review above. I LOVED this book and thought that the relationship has evolved and that they are talking and trusting - the way only they know how. And they understand each other and trust the feelings they have for one another. I loved how some loose ends that I didn’t feel needed tying up were tied up. Many more characters introduced with some plot thickening presence. Can’t wait to see where this all goes.