Author: Maya BanksBook #1 in the Breathless SeriesBuy on Amazon – CLICK HEREBuy on B&N – CLICK HEREGenre: Romance/Erotica/BDSM Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking…When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.
Brandee’s Review:
Let me start off by explaining a little something about myself to you first so you can take my reviews for what they are worth and that is “my” opinion. Sure, there will be books that I love and you not so much (maybe LOL) and there will also be books that we ALL love together. But more often than not each reader is looking for something different in their books – and even at different times, readers are looking for different types of reads for even themselves.Before I start my review, I want you to understand, that I am the type of girl who, while did read and enjoy the Fifty Shades Trilogy, I was not sold with Christian in the first book. Sure he had his moments, but I usually have to get more into the male character to see more of his redeeming swoon worthy qualities before I start to fall head over heels with my male heroes. I think a hero can be dominant and swoon worthy without being such a selfish, controlling, jerk!Do I read all these series, Fifty Shades, Crossfire, Up In The Air, Dark Duet, this Breathless Trilogy? ummmmm absolutely, but I want you to understand for me it is not love at first book usually. My history of rating these books on my goodreads is the first book gets 4 stars because I like the book and maybe the male hero is redeeming himself to me or is becoming swoon worthy. Again, as history proves with me, I usually enjoy book 2 and 3 more and typically the male lead has won me over and the book becomes a 5 star for me. Is the writing better or different after the first book? No, not necessarily, but like I said, I am all for the swooning – and it seems to take these heroes till then to get there.So, here we go… while I enjoy a good Maya Banks book and she definitely can pull off the whole BDSM storyline, I really struggled with Gabe’s character. I DID NOT LIKE HIM for most of the book. See, I said “most” of the book as he starts to redeem himself about ¾ of the way through the book. There were times while reading I was sooo mad at him and then in turn at Mia for putting up with it in the first place. I can understand how it all started for her to fall under his spell, but there were times I could not believe the things he would be doing and she was ok with it…..ok she was more than ok with it…..which is what bothered me. Until he pushed too far and did the unthinkable just because of his own personal issues (don’t want to spoil anything here so I won’t tell you – but I am sure you will feel my pain when you read the part I am referring to).What usually does not happen in these trilogies is that the male hero is not able to win me over at all in the first book because it is just the beginning of the story. However, with this Breathless series, each book will be about one of the trio Gabe, Jace and Ash. Each book will have their own story and touch back on the previous characters and story, but I am also assuming each book would be able to be read as a stand-alone type of book – so if you are totally turned off by a BDSM type of story, I am sure the future books could still be your thing.This book would be another 4 star rating for me and the story pretty much wrapped up and I overall am happy with the book in its entirety because the last ¼ of the book won me over. Don’t get me wrong here the first 3/4 of the book was not bad, I just want to swoon 😉I can honestly say that I am REALLY excited to read Fever, the second book in this trilogy, which is coming out April 2nd because it seems like more of a “Brandee” read. There is a teaser for Fever at the end of Rush that definitely got my attention and I will be waiting on book Fever now.
Author: Maya BanksBook #1 in the Breathless SeriesBuy on Amazon – CLICK HERE Buy on B&N – CLICK HEREGenre: Romance/Erotica/BDSM Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking…When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.
Bookworm Brandee
Well said! Reading is a completely “personal” experience. And I’m right there with ya about redeeming qualities and the swoon factor! 😉 Great review!