2nd Read Review: Bared to You - Sylvia Day

Our journey began in fire . . .

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness - beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily . . .

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become he mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds . . . and desires.

The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart . . .

Crossfire Series:
Bared to You (Read my original review here)
Reflected in You
Entwined with You
Captivated by You
One with You

Visit Sylvia Day's website for more information.

Review:
The first time I read Bared to You I had just finished reading Fifty Shades of Grey and was looking for something to fill the Christian shaped hole in my life (you can read my original review here). I felt that Bared to You was better than FSoG in so many ways but I think because I read both books so close together I didn't fall for Gideon as hard as I could have done. I felt that the writing style was a million times better, that the characters were easier to relate to and far less irritating and that the sex scenes were so much hotter but I didn't find myself quite as addicted to BtY as I was to FSoG.

In the run up to the release of Reflected in You I was starting to get more and more excited about revisiting Gideon and Eva and I decided that I was going to treat myself and reread Bared to You first. Since I started blogging I've hardly reread any books, in fact I can count on one hand the number of books I've reread in the last 3 years, so this isn't usual reading behaviour for me. I have to say that I'm so glad I changed my pattern though - I really liked Bared to You the first time I read it but I LOVED it the second time around and have now moved the book onto my favourites shelf! This is a book I would recommend to fans of FSoG but I would also tell you not to let the fact that the two books are compared to each other put you off. If FSoG pushed all the wrong buttons for you then I would still recommend checking out Bared to You - it is the start of an emotional roller coaster that will have you on the edge of your seat!

I can't get enough of Gideon and Eva. They both have their problems and have been messed up by their pasts but I love the fact that they are prepared to work through their issues. They know that it will take hard work to make their relationship successful but that doesn't stop them wanting to try. Their chemistry is off the charts steamy and everything about this book makes for addictive reading.

I'd forgotten how much I liked Eva's equally messed up room mate Cary too - I really hope we get to see him start to deal with his own issues as the series continues. Eva and Cary have been through a lot together and I love the fact that they are so honest with each other. They are true friends who cut through the bullshit and tell it like it is, they are protective of each other but they won't sit back and watch their closest friend press the self destruct button. I really hope that we see more of this supportive friendship and that Cary gets his own happy ever after too.

There are so many questions I want answers to, in particular I want to know what happened to Gideon and Cary to make them act the way they do (we have already found out about Eva's past). I really want to see Gideon and Eva make it work despite all the things stacked against them. I love this series for the drama and the angst but most of all I love it for the passion and the flawed but likeable characters.

I can't review this for a second time without pulling out a few of my favourite quotes to share with you (these may contain mild spoilers so you have been warned!):

“I’ve always seen you, angel. From the moment you found me, I’ve seen nothing but you.”

“He was the kind of guy that made a woman want to rip his shirt open and watch the buttons scatter along with her inhibitions.”

“You forget who submits, Eva,” he said gruffly. “I’ve given up control for you. I’ve bent and adjusted for you. I’ll do anything to keep you and make you happy. But I can’t be tamed or topped. Don’t mistake indulgence for weakness.”

“Oh, Eva." He rubbed his cheek against my damp face. "I must've wished for you so hard and so often you had no choice but to come true.”

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

“Keep looking at me like that," he warned, leaning casually into the counter and sipping his coffee.
"See what happens."
"I'm going to lose my job over you."
"I'd give you another one."
I snorted. "As what? Your sex slave?"
"What a provocative suggestion. let's discuss.”

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review but I have also purchased a copy of the UK paperback.

Other Reviews:
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