Reflected in You (Crossfire, Book 2)

Review by totallybookedblog.com Gitte: I am in absolute awe of Sylvia Day. The journey of Gideon and Eva got even more sensual, obsessive, raw and emotional in Reflected in You. It was exhausting, gripping and my heart hurt more than I can say as I devoured it in one sitting. Jenny: I had seen the snippets of this book on Sylvia's page and couldn't wait to get my hands on it and it didn't disappoint. I couldn't put this book down. I was drawn in from the very beginning. This book is intense, emotional, at times frustrating (yes...I'm talking about you Gideon...you tested me at times!), passionate, sensual and at times sad. It had everything for me. Quote: "I'm obsessed with you, angel. Addicted to you. You're everything I've ever wanted or needed, everything I've ever dreamed of. You're everything. I live and breathe you. For you." - Gideon Gitte: I felt like a voyeur, one minute sighing with relief that this emotionally damaged couple had found in each other a way to heal and know they are worthy of love and love in return without conditions and the next frustrated at the game playing and the circles they run around each other. Their journey is both painful and emotional yet erotic and addictive. Jenny: There's no getting around it. Eva and Gideon are scarred and damaged. Their pasts haunt them and we are taken on the rollercoaster that is their relationship and we get the whole gamut of emotions with this one. These two use sex as a way of dealing with their feelings instead of talking, but soon realise sex isn't enough to sustain the relationship they want to nurture. There are times you want to shake them both, especially Gideon. They are extremely passionate in their emotions and their sexual encounters are so hot and sensual you will need to fan yourself. These two absolutely set the pages on fire. Quote: "You know what happens when you run angel. I catch you." - Gideon Gitte: If at all possible I fell even more in love with Gideon and Eva. We re-join them in their continued fight to exist together in their relationship. So dependent on each other it is an obsession and addiction. Gideon and Eva cannot function without each other. They need each other. Both are tortured survivors of sexual abuse which has left them with open wounds so deep that translated into behaviour, their love for each other becomes this obsessive and almost violent entity. Jenny: Gideon and Eva have "survived" - violent, abusive pasts. Up until they meet they have simply gone through the motions of dealing and have used sex as a coping mechanism in their lives. These two need each other like they need air to breathe. They can't function a day without each other. Both are sensual, sexual, passionate and emotional people. I love Eva. She is one of my favourite book heroines. I love that even though she is damaged and openly admits her faults and even thought her desperate need for Gideon borders on obsession she still remains a strong character and is such a good equal to Gideon. Gideon......just when I thought I couldn't love him more I do! This man is one of the sexiest, alpha characters I have read. He worships and adores Eva and loves her without exception. The scene when he is brushing her hair............just wait...that did me in! Quote: "My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We'd never work. It was too hard, too painful... except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity. We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession." Gitte: They know this and acknowledge it by seeking couple therapy in order to understand just what a healthy and normal relationship really is and learn how to trust one another. What Gideon and Eva don't lack is sexual compatibility. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts; intense, powerful and will literally set you on fire. Jenny: You are spot one GG. These two have sexual chemistry that just burns the pages. Every sexual encounter with these two is off the charts. Quote:: "You hit me the instant I saw you. I couldn't look away. I wanted you immediately. Excessively. Almost violently." - Gideon Quote: "A delicious shiver moved through me. When it came to Gideon, I was more than willing to be devoured." - Eva Gitte: YEAH DON'T WE ALL!!! Especially when we picture Gideon as the gorgeous David Gandy! Jenny: As if Gideon isn't hot enough...add David Gandy into the mix and whoa!!! Quote: "His kisses were gifts. He kissed with everything he had, with power and passion and hunger and love. He held nothing back, giving everything, exposing everything." - Eva Quote: "You're the greatest risk I've ever taken. And the greatest reward." - Gideon Gitte: Gideon is such an enigma. But what an amazing, gorgeous and sensual dominating enigma. I LOVE him. Truly, madly, deeply! This man shares nothing about his past or even his present. He does, however, show Eva how powerful his love for her is. Jenny: I loved Gideon in Bared to You but in this book....apart from the times he was so secretive I wanted to slap him - oh who am I kidding, even then I loved him. This man is intense, domineering and so alpha, yet he shows his love for Eva in so many ways. There is nothing he wouldn't do for her - she has become his reason for living. His reason for breathing. He cannot function without her. Gitte: Besides the sexual intensity, he also shows it through control and demand, protection and comfort. My heart broke for him, the thought of this little boy who suffered; who grew up and is still suffering through horrific nightmares. Nightmares through which he is petrified he will eventually harm Eva. Ultimately secrets will out but until they do insecurities and doubts will flourish. You put your heart out there it may eventually be hurt by both truths and lies. Jenny: My heart broke for him too GG, especially with how he would deal with his nightmares. He was hurting and so was Eva but they had to do what was necessary for them both to get through their turmoil. I did feel that both characters grew such much at the end of this book. Quote: "Are you hurt anywhere else?" I asked, feeling so emotionally raw after the long night we'd had. He caught my wrist and pulled my hand down to press flat over his heart. "Here." Gitte: The anticipation of not knowing was frustrating and heart breaking but once you know the why's and things come to light, you understand and WANT Gideon just as he is and you will realize that the love he has for Eva has no limits. Even Eva who is a strong heroine already, shows some real back bone in this story and the pair of them as dysfunctional, possessive and jealous as they are also show extreme vulnerability and tenderness. The ending will leave you stunned. It will literally blow your mind...it's going to be a long 3 months until we get Entwined with You!! Jenny: I must admit there was a time in this story when I got so frustrated with Gideon. I can't say much because I don't want to give anything away but boy did he test me. Eva really came through in this book. What a great character she is. I adore her! Her love for Gideon is beyond question and in return he has a love so strong for Eva there is nothing he wouldn't do for her. These two will take you one hell of a ride that's for sure! There will be times when you'll wonder just what the hell is going with these two - I found myself actually wanting to skip pages to see what was going to happen because I became so anxious! Just you wait! This story is so well crafted when the ending comes it will leave you breathless and chomping at the bit for Entwined with You! I know I can't wait and I also know what I'm doing on December 31st!

"If I lose you, Eva, ... I have nothing. Everything I've done is so I don't lose you." I have never so anxiously awaited for a sequel like I have for this one. It is no understatement when I say that I was literally counting down the hours to its release date, desperately clinging onto the little snippets that the author fed us along the way. And, for me, it was definitely worth the wait. Eva and Gideon's relationship is still relatively in its early stages. Their love for each other is all-consuming, possessive, raw, almost primal in so many ways - they constantly crave each other's touch, presence, affection. The intensity of their connection might make it appear like they have been together for a while but the issues before them are those of a new couple. Trust is their biggest hurdle at this point, giving rise to endless scenes of jealousy and bouts of self-doubt. Their insecurities make them explosive with one another, violently addicted to each other and yet endlessly passionate. "Most couples didn't spend every free moment together, but we weren't like most people. We both had hang-ups, insecurities, and an addiction to each other that required regular contact to keep us functioning properly. I hated being apart from him. I rarely went more than a couple of hours without thinking of him. ... We were together because we were addicted to each other. I was never as intoxicated as I was when we were happy together, and I knew it was the same for him. We were putting ourselves through the wringer for those moments of perfection between us, but they were so tenuous that only our stubbornness, determination, and love kept us fighting for them." But their story is definitely not a Hallmark movie. It does not take a psychiatrist to see how unhealthy their almost-symbiotic relationship really is. We see all its faults, all its destructive streaks, and yet we can't help ourselves from wanting to give them their happy ending. We want them to make it, to overcome their hideous pasts and mend their broken souls. In any other scenario, we would be cringing at some of their interactions, but when it comes to Eva and Gideon, we just want to accept the dysfunctionality of their relationship for what it is, pat them on the shoulder and cheer them on. If you can just allow yourself not to over-analyze the toxic nature of some of the scenes, if you can become blindly consumed by the magnetism between Eva and Gideon, if you can take the raw pull and sexual chemistry first and everything you might believe makes a healthy relationship second, then this story will take you on quite an emotional ride. "Angel, if I needed you more, I couldn't function. And I don't care what anyone else thinks. We've got our own rhythm and it works for us." The attraction between the main characters is compelling, sizzling, irresistible in its intensity. These are `faulty' characters completely aware of the obsessive and borderline-destructive nature of their relationship but fully embracing it as neither of them is willing to step away from one another - "Failure isn't an option." The events unfolding in this book show us just how far they are willing to go to protect each other. Their tragic pasts inevitably made them as they are - I'm almost surprised neither of them have become abusers themselves but I guess abuse comes in all shapes and sizes. They are ultimately abusive towards themselves and I believe this is where their relationship redeems itself by breaking that pattern of abuse and offering an alternative. They are in a way each other's punching bags, if by `punching' you mean really really hot sex. Sex is used as a currency between them, both to express feelings as well as to punish one another. They heal each other in their own messed-up ways, offering the kind of comfort and solace that they are unable to find anywhere else. They are raw before one another, totally stripped from protective façades and emotional defenses. They have a direct `feed' into each other's most primal selves and they definitely speak the same language. Eva brings the tender and vulnerable man in Gideon, she is his one and only weakness - "I loved the powerful businessman in the suit and the dominant lover in my bed and the broken child who couldn't hide his tears and the tender partner who held me when I cried." Gideon makes Eva feel safe enough in his care to be able to do the one thing she has never been able to do - give up control. I never felt that Gideon's caveman tendencies made Eva any less his `equal' in their own dysfunctional equation. She doesn't just lay back and take it, she pounces on him, takes control, makes demands, sets her own boundaries and rules and is never ever afraid of just walking away if that is what she truly wants. They are each other's perfect match in every single way and equally the worse possible one as well. "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. ... I'm obsessed with you, angel. Addicted to you. You're everything I've ever wanted or needed, everything I've ever dreamed of. You're everything. I live and breathe you. For you. ... I don't need anything else. I get out of bed every morning and face the world because you're in it. ... Because of you, the world makes sense to me in a way it didn't before. I have a place now, with you." Eva And Gideon's insatiable relationship is not meant to be pretty. It is not romantic in the traditional sense of the word and it is as far from ordinary as it gets. This is not the kind of relationship you would brag about to your hairdresser. This is the kind of relationship you would discuss with your shrink. Daily. So, give the rational part of your brain a holiday, take a seat, make yourself comfortable and dive in expecting lots and lots of hot lovin', drama, misunderstandings, jealousy, obsessive behaviour, addictive personalities and ... have I mentioned hot lovin'? Simply switch off your brain and allow other parts of your anatomy to take over. Advocates of healthy relationships have no place here. Fairy-tale romantics have no place here. Heck, 99% of my brain had no place here but that shameless little 1% was happy as a clam. I LOVED this book. It was everything I expected it to be, nothing more and nothing less. I expected the level of obsessiveness between them to be even more amplified in this sequel. I counted on it. The development of these characters in Bared to You did not allow for anything different. I felt there was growth in their relationship, there was change in their dynamic and they are ultimately moving forward as a couple. This book brings some new problems to the table, takes a few away but it never stops being interesting or unpredictable. It explores human obsession and extreme emotional addiction just perfectly. The characters might drive you mad at times, you might want to shake them or even slap them into oblivion, you might not agree with parts of the storyline or some of the things that Gideon and Eva do `in the name of love', but your addiction to this series will stay intact if you are anything like me. I personally have an unhealthy love affair with this trilogy and I'm not ashamed to admit it. It does exactly what it promises to do, no unrealistic premises, no false pretenses. These books are not how-to guides on functional relationships, they are literary crack in its purest and most delicious form, and I have no desire to kick the habit any time soon. ~ N ♥

** spoiler alert--I do discuss the ending ** I read this book while on vacation with my family, so unfortunately, I wasn't able to write the review when it was fresh in my mind. I loved it, but I wasn't as wild about it as I was with the first book in this series. It's hard to write a sequel that tops the first, but that's not to say this book wasn't terrific. It took some spectacular twists and turns I wasn't expecting. There were all the elements present I had come to expect from Sylvia: angst, humor, sizzling love scenes, and lots of baggage with these messed up people. I enjoyed all of those aspects, but for some reason it felt a little lacking to me, like something was missing. I think I was expecting more growth from Gideon. I was hoping he'd talk to her more, open up. Instead, he did the reverse--he gave her a little bit and then almost shut down completely. There was a reason for it, and it's not revealed until the end. I loved what he did in regards to her past and what happened as a result, but I spent most of the book wanting to hammer him over the head, rather than sit and drool over him. There were some great moments with Cary and Eva, and I grew to adore their relationship even more. My favorite line was when he was in the hospital. Gideon asks Cary how he's feeling. This is Cary's response: "Like I got hit by a bus . . . or a bat." I laughed so loud on this I started my kids in the room. You have to read it to understand why. I also loved this narrative line. It describe perfectly the feel of this entire novel in terms of Eva's tumultuous relationship with Eva: We stood there for a long moment, surrounded by steam and secrets, physically close yet emotionally distant. Yes! Great writing! Loved it! I equally loved it when they were in therapy together and Gideon's reaction when the therapist tells them to stop being intimate for a while so their relationship can center around something other than the physical part: "Doctor," Gideon set one ankle on the opposite knee and settled back, creating a picture of unyielding decisiveness. "The only way I'm keeping my hands off her is if I'm dead. Find another way to fix us." Uh, cue swooning sound effects here. And can I say I wish I had written that fabulous line? So much power in such a few simple phrases. It sums them up very well and their undying passion and need for each other on every level. I enjoyed finding out what the deal was with Gideon's past with Dr. Lucas. It was also great to see more of Gideon's sister, Ireland. That was a great scene when they came to dinner to meet Eva's dad. I also liked how this novel didn't take it into the typical BDSM dom/sum relationships that you see in most novels of this genre. That was refreshing. It kind of hinted in the last novel it would go that route, and when it didn't, I was pleased because it seemed more realistic for these people in the state they were in to not go that way. They have so much to figure out before they can even step a toe in that pool. What bothered me though in this book was the way Gideon handled things behind the scenes, making it look like he was having an affair with Corinne. I understood the public had to believe it to protect himself, but he didn't have to do it in such a way he shattered the trust so completely with Eva. It made it hard for me to believe Eva went back to him so easily at the end. I thought for sure she'd make him build that trust back up somehow. It seemed incongruous with her personality. I mean, the woman went around exactting some type of retribution on all of the people that messed him up. Her conversation with his mom was very satisfying--adored that scene! But the ending left me feeling kind of annoyed with Eva. Where was that tough woman then? I know she's gotta have him (I agree since I feel the same way about that man) but with the amount of distrust he produced, even with her understanding why, it seemed off for her to almost jump back in his arms without any talking, reservation or argument. Ultimately, this is where the 4 star ratings comes from and why I felt a little let down. I had a hard time believing this damaged woman that was taking Krav Maga classes and standing up to him all the time on other issues would cave so easily. It was unbelievable to me; too inconsistent. That's something Gideon would do, not her. He would forgive without explanation or reservations because he doesn't want to talk, he almost doesn't want to know. But isn't that the crux of their problem Eva has with their relationship? He doesn't talk, doesn't want to explain. He did offer some of himself, and I loved what he shared, of course I wanted more, but it still wasn't enough for her. So, why, for the love of all that's Eva, would she simply fall at his feet. Yes, he saved her from her demons, but still. I'm sure it's just me, and my desire for her to continue to be feisty and slightly defiant, but, man, I expected more from her. And I'm hoping to get it in the next book. I hope she gives him hell for all he put her through before they make-up. That's something I'll definitely look forward to and long to see... I'm hoping it tops what she did to get get back at him when he had somebody watching her every move and interfering in Vegas, making her life difficult. That was hilarious! Loved her wicked imagination and sense of fairness and equality. Can't wait for the next installment! Want more touching "I love you!" scenes, more delving into his hideous past with his family, and more growth from him. I simply can't get enough of that man!

Reflected In You - Sylvia Day DARK AND DANGEROUS SEX AND MODES OF TRANSPORTATION What can I say... the best book I've read this year... maybe even EVER!!! Maybe because it's been a while since I've revisited Fifty Shades of Grey, but at this very moment, I can honestly say that this book, this series is WAY better!!!! Of course the plot is what it is... Eva trying to get Gideon to break down some walls and Gideon not giving an inch!! For a sequel, this was AWESOME... usually (for me) the more books that come out in a series, the less I like them... not true here... this was better than it's predecessor Bared To You! You throw in some "Rock Star" and a deranged rapist and you've got yourself the next New York Times Best Seller!!! Kindle version says it's about 432 pages and for me, this is the first time I've ever read a book this long in one day... 14 hours to be exact... I couldn't put it down... each chapter just flew by like it was telepathically implanting itself into my brain... So much going on in this book... but not hard to follow... dealing with childhood sexual abuse, molestation, and the ripples that affect a life later on if not dealt with. I myself am a victim of this very same thing and while reading this and the things Eva and Gideon went through at their young ages, my heart just broke and at the same time I was getting pissed!!! Pissed off at parents who shove things under the rug, pissed at doctors who do the same, and just pissed all the way around this... but then there's the sex... oh the sex... the hottest "mile high" sex I've ever read about... I found myself wanting to call my husband to come home for a "nooner!!!" Unbelievable and by far the best sex scenes I've ever read in my life... throw in some hilarious humor and you're good to go!!! My favorite character in this series in Gideon, he's mysterious, dark and dangerous as Eva calls him... and just an all around uber hot, controlling billionaire who can dominate me anytime he wants!! He definitely needs to deal with his past and soon. Like Cary says, "He's a ticking time bomb!" However, the way he gets Eva to deal with her past and how he gets her to bring it out and to the surface, I'm sure would never work for him... bwahahahaha!!! Although he can't bring himself to say the three words... the things he does say melt my heart... like... "I'd rather argue with you, Angel, then laugh with anyone else!" or "I don't need anything else. I get out of bed every morning and face the world because you're in it!" Ahhhhh, he's sooooo dreamy!!!! Reading this in one day, I guess you could say the writing just flowed... it kept me interested at every turn. Trust me when I say, you'd better block out and entire day or two or three depending on how fast you read, because you're not going to want anyone or anything to bother you while your living in the world of Gideon and Eva!!! There are too many highs and lows to mention, but one I would like to touch on is the rock star deal... HOLY HELL!!! That part of the book I could feel a little touch of S.C. Stephen's Thoughtless and Effortless chiming in... made me feel al warm and gooey inside... AND turnabout is fair play!!! Go get `em girl!!! All together... this book was simply put.... AWESOME.... It made me cry, made me laugh, made me mad as hell, and made me uber HOT... Sexy, dirty, thoughtful, HOT, and emotional... you get it all in this little 432 page book... 10 stars all the way!!!!

To say I am emotionally spent after finishing this would be an understatement. I love angst, drama and conflict and this book was packed with it. The characters are both emotionally immature and extremely broken. They are learning to love and trust together and their relationship is an addiction of sorts, one that comes with highs, times of extreme euphoria, and then falls to extreme lows. Their love affair is strong, their inexperience apparent and the combination of those to thing can come together like a bad chemical reaction. Reflected in You reveals more about the secrets Eva and Gideon keep and it was all very sad, however, I admire both characters even more after learning about what they have overcome. Eva is one of my favorite heroines ever. She is strong, dedicated, honest, and loyal. Those who meet her would never know the demons she hides inside. She stumbles at times but then gets right back up and continues on. I admired her relative normalcy and down to earth demeanor. Eva got extremely jealous a times in Reflected to You but when you have such a good thing, I can imagine the fear of losing it is high. Eva has to use some of her inner strength to learn to trust and let go of the doubts in her head. This isn't easy when you are dating Gideon Cross. What most woman would give to get in the back of that limo with Gideon Cross...The man is intense, bossy but yet there is an incredible, kind, loving side to him. Anytime there is a hero who can be bossy one moment and beyond sweet the next, I just want to eat him up. Now Gideon had his moments in this one...I was a little upset at him a couple different times and wished he would be more emotionally available to Eva but every frown inducing thing he did seemed to be followed by two things that made me smile. He could be very romantic.. "It's what you see in me, angel," he said quietly, his features softening. "That you can know what I have in me and still want me as much as I want you. I go to sleep every night afraid I'll wake up and you'll be gone. Or that I scared you away...that I dreamed you-" *** "I'd rather argue with you, angel, than laugh with anyone else." *** "I'm obsessed with you, angel. Addicted to you. You're everything I've ever wanted or needed, everything I've ever dreamed of. You're everything. I live and breathe you. For you." These two are INTENSE! You take two broken people and stick them in a committed relationship and issues are born. When these two broken people have such passion and love for each other, things really get interesting. There were some moments in this book that had me holding my breath (limo, lipstick, letter) because they were so intense, raw, and extreme. These two belong together but they have to work at it. I loved the up and down emotions I felt from going from a happy, sexy moment between the two to an intense, dramatic one. Sylvia Day is a master of angst! "I'm going to fall," I slurred, drunk with pleasure. "I'll catch you, angel, I'll always catch you." I still love Cary and his ongoing sexual confusion. He did not have an easy time in this book and I am hoping he gets his HEA in book three. Oh, and then we were introduced to Eva's former flame, Brett, who just happens to be a freaking rock star. Okay, so she already has Gideon, rich, sexy, controlling Gideon, and now she has a rock star who can't let her go. Can we all get that lucky? No, but seriously, Brett needs his own book because I kind of fell in love with him and his song writing abilities! I am going to be 100% honest and admit that I like the Crossfire Series more than Fifty Shades of Grey. Why? I feel there is more of a storyline with this one and a little less time is spent going between the sheets. I loved Fifty Shades and don't want to take anything away from it but this series does a little more for me emotionally. To say I am hungry for Entwined to you would be an understatement! What more can these two possibly have to go through?? I need to know how things end up for those two strong, emotional characters. There is the part of me that never wants this to end.

"The only way I'm keeping my hands off her is if I'm dead. Find another way to fix us." The Crossfire saga is as good as it gets as far as whirlwind romance, all-consuming story line and captivating and unforgettable characters. Best experienced, The Crossfire series is Gideon's and Eva's epic love story, both broken, flawed and co-dependent and yet so determined and relentless for their elusive happily-ever after. Follow them through sky-high ups and rock-bottom lows as their relationship is tested with demons from their pasts, envy, jealousy, secrets and lies. Yet their biggest obstacles will always come from within. It's their journey of self-discovery and fulfillment and about pushing all limits and surrendering it all for love. Books must be read in order: Bared to you (Book 1) Reflected in you (book 2) Entwined with you (book 3) Untitled (book 4) Untitled (book 5) Reflected in you (book 2) picks up right at the ending of book 1. It follows Gideon and Eva in their budding romance, as their love is tested over and over. They have so many obstacles to overcome, both from within due to their damaged pasts and from the outside with villains and more. "You're the greatest risk I've ever taken." His pressed his lips gently to mine. "And the greatest reward." Just like book 1 it's a rollercoaster filled with surprises and shockers. In this story Sylvia took a risk with the direction. I am content with the unfolding events, which will remain partly unresolved through the next-coming books. Again no cliff-hanger ending, instead it leads you right to book 3. Hero: Gideon G. Cross/28 years/Founder-Ceo of Cross Industries/Black hair/blue eyes/$$$$ (New worth $12 BIL.)/Forbes #25 Heroine: Eva L. Tramell/24 years/Ad agency assistant-recent College graduate/Bland hair/gray eyes/$$$ Gideon Cross is my ultimate hero. His combination of larger-than life personality and uncanny good looks; enigmatic and elusive; intense and in-control; broken and flawed; ruthless and unyielding, yet when it came to his Eva vulnerable, relentless and human. Six words to describe Gideon: Unforgettable, intense, ruthless, enigmatic, dominant and captivating. "I'd rather argue with you, angel, than laugh with anyone else." Like it or not, but Eva Tramell is everything Gideon needed. Five words to describe Eva: Endearing, needy, tenacious, smart and fragile. "Don't take that tone with me, Gideon. I'm tired of being an open book for you while you hoard all your secrets." Epic! Spellbinding! Captivating! Addictive! Unforgettable! In my humble opinion likely to become one of the best love stories of all times! Thanks Ms. Day! "Gideon pulled me down for the sweetest of kisses, his firm lips moving gently beneath mine. "I'd kill for you," he whispered, "give up everything I own for you... but I won't give you up." *** Hero rating: 5+++ stars Heroine rating: 4.5 stars Sex scenes rating: 5+ stars Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars Storyline concept rating: 5 stars Storytelling skills rating: 5 stars Story ending rating: N/A Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 5 stars ************************************************ Overall rating: 5 stars Would I recommend this series: Yes. Would I re-read this series: Yes. Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

I keep going back in forth about how to rate this book. Sometimes I think a 3, then a 4, then a 3.5. I guess I'll just stick with the middle and go 3.5. Here's why: I reread Bared to You right before I started Reflected in You because it had been 3 months since I was last engaged with these characters. Since I had everything refreshed in my mind, I thought I would dive right in and guess what happened? I was left with a regurgitation of Bared to You for several chapters. I mean seriously people, this is a contingent series. Read the first book if you want to know what happened, but don't make the rest of us suffer through endless reiterations. I had a fleeting thought to start skipping chapters, but I sucked it up and kept reading. The story started to move along but I found myself ridiculously frustrated. The back and forth made me want to pull my hair out. It felt like, "you hurt me so I hurt you and then you retaliate so I'm gonna hurt you back worse and push the limits until we are forced to have crazy sex and then repeat the cycle again." I don't mind some tension and angst but DAMN. Can we get some storyline here? I know both Eva and Gideon have both been traumatized to the nth degree, so I can allow for some dysfunction while they try to navigate a romantic relationship in the best way that they know how. However, instead of all of the back and forth, I wish that space would have been filled with more detail and storyline. I'm all for steamy scenes, but I honestly think that the sex scenes got in the way this time. They were hot, but I was craving a progression of the storyline because I didn't want to think that I waited months to just read a book of sex scenes. It got so over the top that I started to skip through the sex in order to get to the plot. Band aid sex can only fix so much, and if it has to fix it 10 times a day, it gets really old and you end up looking like a mummy. This is a break down of the book: 15% review of what happened in the first book 35% sex 35% game playing/back and forth/break up to make up (that eventually leads to sex) 15% plot (and 10% occurs at the end of the book) One of the things that really got to me was how evasive Gideon was about EVERYTHING - his past, his past relationships, who he went to dinner with the night before, etc. There were times when he could have easily cleared things up with Eva, but he remained elusive, and for what reason? It just led to more fights and more tug of war. As controlling as he was, he thought he could keep meeting up with Corinne and Eva was supposed to be ok with that? I can kind of forgive him in the end for being so evasive because he wanted Eva's reactions to appear genuine to the police, but he could have still threw her bone. Something other than, "wait for me" or "just trust me" or "just feel me". I mean the whole point is that they are both emotionally damaged, in what world would he think that would be enough? Eva's not innocent either. I was pissed when she reconnected with a former fling, and the times she tried to make Gideon jealous infuriated me. Seriously, DO YOU WANT THIS TO END? How many times do you have to do the same thing over and over again before you realize you are just INSANE? There were things that I really liked. After having just reread Bared to You, I felt more involved than the first time I read about their relationship because I had time to distance it from my feelings about Fifty Shades of Grey (which I had read right before I read Bared to You the first time). I could view the story more independently instead of just looking at it as a better written copycat. Since I felt more invested in their relationship, I was able to appreciate their tender moments and closeness better while reading Reflected in You. Even though this book picks right up where the last book left off, the time I had to wait for this book to be released seemed to somehow make me feel like their relationship had been going on longer than it actually had. This was a good thing because it made their 'love at first sight' romance seem more real. I liked that we got to have more one on one time with the Eva and Gideon. I believed in their bond and I have several quotes highlighted in my kindle that I thought were touching and beautiful. The last 10% of the book started moving really quickly. Pieces started to fall into place and I got all excited and worked up and then, I got blue balls. Serious blue balls. I stayed up all night reading this book and by the time I finished it was light outside and I was so pissed I didn't even want to sleep. I don't appreciate being jerked around like that. I would have cut out half of the sex just to learn more about Gideon's past and be able to spend more than five minutes with the characters when they were actually getting along and not playing childish games with each other that drove me mad. Was there not enough material to make this a trilogy? Did we need to cram all of the excitement into the third book and use the 2nd book as a filler? More evidence that when there's a hot trilogy, wait until the whole damn set is available before embarking on the journey. When will I ever learn? Of course I'm going to read the last book. I need some relief. I am intrigued enough to want to know what happens with Brett, Corinne, Magdalene, Christopher Vidal Jr. and the rest of Gideon's family, Dr. Terry Lucas, and of course the much anticipated HEA of Gideon and Eva. After the emotional tornado I just experienced reading this book, there better be a HEA. As frustrated as I may seem, I did enjoy this book and if you were a fan of Bared to You, I would recommend reading it. If you are like me and hate to wait (especially when you feel somewhat unsatisfied), you may want to read this book a bit closer to when the final book of the trilogy is released.

I read Fifty Shaded and was captivated. Then a friend recommended this series and I became even more captivated. I fell in love with Gideon immediately in Bared to You...despite all his "insanity". The more I read about him the more I became fixated on the loving/sweet side of him over his possessive/controlling side. This is the second book in the series and it is a lot racier and more suspenseful. Once again I couldn't put this book down once I started it. I became engorged with various emotions all over again...some good and some not so good (frustration/anger is good ones). I will admit that at times I found myself cursing at this book, especially when it came to all the insecurities Gideon and Eva still have towards one another and at all the games they continue to play. But yet I find myself feeling for them and wanting them to work through all the mess over and over again. I wished that some of their problems would finally get resolved already in this book but just when you think they are finally getting somewhere we are hit with another curveball and more bombs are dropped on us. Gotta love Ms. Day - she has a way to keep her readers on the edge of their seats waiting for a resolution that doesnt seem possible but will stick with her through thick and thin to find out! One thing about this series that frustrates me to no end is the fact that bad situations are always fixed with sex. SEX, SEX, SEX....if you don't like to read about it then don't even contemplate ever reading this book. There is sex on practically every page and it is described in great detail. I admit that I enjoy reading sex scenes as much as the next person but after a while I just found myself skipping over them as they became too much. After a while I was no longer turned on and found myself rolling my eyes with boredom. I mean how many times can you read about the same thing over and over again?? After the 20th time reading about it I knew what was going to happen. So, like Bared to You, bout halfway through the book I again found myself skipping right through most of the sex scenes and tried to just focus on the rest of their torrid relationship. Despite my complaint about all the drawn out sex the book was a FANTASTIC read and very well written. I continue to be drawn to these characters and their love story. If you start reading something and cant put it down then you know the author did their job and did it right! I cant wait to read the final book and see where Gideon and Eva's relationship finally takes them. Despite all the "abuse" they inflect on each other, I am confident that they will get through it and have a happy ending. I cant wait to find out!

Crossfireシリーズ第二弾！ 第一巻に続き期待を裏切らない内容で初めから終わりまで二人の関係にドキドキしながら一気に読めます！ 億万長者でイケメンセクシーなGideonとブロンド美人のAvaは誰もが羨むカップル。しかし、二人とも過去にうけた性的暴行からトラウマに苦しみ続ける。 EvaとGideonは埋められない心の隙間を体を求めあうことで埋めていた、が、けっして心の中を見せようとしないGideonにAvaの不満はつのる。そして、AvaはGideonともと婚約者に対する嫉妬や彼の謎の行動にふりまわされる自分に自己嫌悪を感じとうとう別れをきりだす。 しかし、そこにはGideonの全てを捨ててもAvaを愛する深い愛情があったのだ。 女性読者ならAvaに対するGideonの情熱的で独占的なまでの愛にうっとりとすること間違いなし。ベッドシーンはかなりディープですが美しい二人なので許せてしまいます。 読み終わった後はしばし妄想の世界にひたってしまいます。

Gideon... U did it again... And yes i was waiting for you to say I Love You to Eva.. Amazing.. The scars of your past made you find love of your life , together u two fight against it & when you said , even sky cried with you.. This love is so amazing.. Cheers to Gideon & Eva!

Would recommend

Nach dem ersten Teil, wollte ich natürlich die Fortsetzung unbedingt lesen. Und ich bin nicht enttäuscht. Der zweite Teil ist noch besser als der erste. Ich freue mich bereits auf Teil 3. Einer der besten Liebesromane, die ich bis jetzt gelesen habe. Und für mich - stilistisch und inhaltlich- paar Stufen höher als Fyfty Shades of Gray. Sorry Miss James , Sie haben natürlich eine Marklücke entdeckt, aber Silvia Day hat es besser gemacht!

Todas las comparaciones son odiosas y es evidente que cuando lees este libro, inevitablemente, haces comparaciones con la trilogía de Grey. Así que aún no tener el tono de las escenas eróticas, no sé si me ha acabado de convencer o si debería haber esperado más tiempo a leerlo desde haber finalizado la trilogía de Grey.