Bared to You

Oh my god this book. First, I loved it. It was so good. The amount of highlights I have in a book usually depicts how much I liked it and this one had 246 (surprisingly kinda low but the book was on the shorter side). I fear I have a problem with highlighting as I will mark things that are extremely important to the actual plot and not just the characters themselves. So, if I happen to take a break form the series, I can go back and look at the big moments and get a better detailed summary before diving into to the next book.

At the moment, I am writing this review AFTER finishing the second book, Reflected In You. Currently regretting that decision, but I was excited about getting to the next book after I loved this one so much; I shouldn’t have set my hopes that high…

Anyways, there was A LOT going on in this book. God they are so toxic but it’s so addicting to read LOL.

3.5 stars

This was utter utter trash, but really, I knew that going in. I wanted smut and was served it on a, hmmm....silver platter seems to good for this.

I wanted smut and something that was even I modicum of improvement over Fifty Shades and it's How-To Guide to Abusive relationships.

God knows how I finished this and the sequel, considering both required such an extensive suspension of belief that I'm surprised I believe in anything anymore.

But I think the fascination of two entirely fucked up people going everything they could to make it work was just engrossing enough to keep me reading.

It is a slight improvement on Fifty Shades, and not nearly as abusive (though still hardly a healthy relationship). But it was interesting to see two fuck ups in their prime.

It was pretty good, the storyline had a few weird turns and be cautious of the trigger warnings, but overall, pretty good. Very similar to the 50 shades storyline, at least the first book, but Eva is much more of a spitfire than the 50 shades girl. Definitely continuing the series.

Lots of smut, as one can very quickly figure from the way even the first chapter is written. The smut is definitely written better than, say, 50 Shades, but let's be honest— that's not particularly difficult. As much as I couldn't STOP reading, there's no plot, which therefore makes it an insanely easy read, and perhaps that's where the success of this book lies.

Lots of smut, as one can very quickly figure from the way even the first chapter is written. The smut is definitely written better than, say, 50 Shades, but let's be honest— that's not particularly difficult. As much as I couldn't STOP reading, there's no plot, which therefore makes it an insanely easy read, and perhaps that's where the success of this book lies.

The second time was for science.

Would've been a four star read but, the last 30-40 pages were dragging, felt a bit like they were just there to reach a page count number/or for another conflict after there was already so many conflicts. Other than that, it was an enjoyable read. Anyone who already likes BDSM, troubled people kind of genre would like this book.


(sort of a) Minor Spoiler Ahead:



Also, (although it does seem to just be used for the friction) I would assume that someone with trauma of their own would be more understanding of someone else's, that they wouldn't just demand answers then walk out on them when they don't say the right thing. Maybe I'm wrong, but it felt odd.

Comparing this book to Fifty Shades of Grey does this book a major disservice. Especially if you want someone who thought that book was hot garbage to read it. Yes it was hot garbage. FIGHT ME.

Eva Tramell is young, beautiful, rich and completely messed up by a rough past. Gideon Cross is young, beautiful, even richer then Eva and completely messed up by a rough past. Eva is well aware of her flaws, upfront about them, and has taken steps to try and piece herself back together ( i. e. Therapy). Gideon past is also fucked all the way up and he thinks he's fine and it takes coming across Eva to realize that's he's seriously the fuck not and his billionaire self needs therapy as well. AND THERE'S NO SHAME IN THAT.

This books gets way intense at times. Both Eva and Gideon feel very real. Yes they are young, rich, hot AF and the sex is B-A-N-A-N-A-S...but that's half the reason we read these books. The other half is to feel that connection with two people just trying to deal with life and their past and moving forward and maybe with that one person who'll stand by you when you're on top of the world and when you feel like the whole world is against you.

I felt like this book was giving me whiplash from all the running back and forth Eva was doing. She was quick to say EFF ALL THIS IM OUT GIDEON. And I'm not mad at her for it.

I only read to Chapter 6 and had to stop. I figured out the plot by this point and there was no necessity to read all the smut.

I chose to read the summary and it was as I guessed. I gave this genre a second chance and I don't think I'll ever revisit.

I know there's a huge following for Sylvia Day (and romance in general) but I just can't wrap my mind around the lack of content. There is absolutely nothing but sex and the most ridiculous ways to describe it.

DNF at 19%, but I was really done at 10%. I'd skimmed to see if it got any better.Ok, Sylvia Day took [b:Fifty Shades of Grey 10818853 Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1) E.L. James https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385207843s/10818853.jpg 15732562] and rewrote it. That's cool. All sorts of reviews rave that it's way better written than Fifty Shades, and I guess it is. Sort of.This is obviously erotica. Awesome. I'm totally here for the smut. The thing is is I need a decent story and characters. There will be no swooning from me when all I want to do is repeatedly throat punch the lead male character, Gideon Cross. This man is a lecherous boss in a position of power who will use and abuse his power because he thinks he's entitled to... well, everything. There's nothing sexy about sexual assault, which is what was continuously happening. No really does mean no. It doesn't matter what her body is telling you, pal.Cross said nothing until the car was on its way down; then he pushed the call button again and asked, “ Are you sleeping with anyone?”Um WHAT??? This is one of the first dialogue interactions they have and this is what he says? And when Eva asks him why the heck he's asking her:“Because I want to fuck you, Eva. I need to know what's standing in my way, if anything.”She tells him maybe she's not interested and from then on out no matter how many times she says no or pulls away he's trying to grope or kiss her. Just because the readers hear Eva's thoughts about how she finds Cross attractive her words and actions don't always show that. She's torn. But for all he knows she's not really fully interested. But he's not listening.It turns out Cross owns the building Eva lives in. Of course he does. But Eva finds out and is rightfully horrified. His reaction?“I accessed information you voluntarily made available to me.”“Not to you! Not for what you used it for! That has to violate some kind of privacy law.” I stared at him, more confused than ever. “Why would you do that?”He had the grace to look disgruntled at least. “So I can figure you out, damn it.”My skin crawled. Not only is Eva's livelihood in his hands, but so is her living situation. He's now pretty much completely able to cut her off and isolate her if he chooses. Or at least coerce. If you cajole someone into consent it's not really consent.The writing may be better than Fifty Shades of Grey in certain ways, but the story is just as abusive and disgusting and is nothing to emulate.Eva, run. Leave everything and run.

I just couldn't get into this and gave up around the halfway point. Probably better than 50 Shades, but not what I was looking for. I might go back to it at some point.

before i write my review i want to say this is a reread for me because i am dying to read book five but felt lost so here goes the review.
Two emotionally F'd up individuals hoping to find some kind of happiness. In my opinion I think it's better than Fifty Shades and it may have to do with Sylvia Day being a seasoned author. You can be the judge of that.

From the moment Eva and Gideon meet, there's a connection they can't resist. Initially it's a physical attraction that creates interest. They try to keep it casual, however one broken individual can recognize another and that's what Eva recognizes in Gideon. Although he tries to deny and in the process hurts Eva he always finds himself chasing after her because she sees him. Accepting the knowledge brings them closer, but not wiser regarding their relationship. They understand they'll need to take baby steps if they want their relationship to work. You do see them grow and learn from their mistakes.

How can two dysfunctional individuals make a relationship work? Their relationship is emotional, intense and complicated. They're obsessed, possessive and jealous of each other. Put all that together and the sex is explosive, their love is sweetly intoxicating, their relationship at times is stormy but when they're happy it's beautiful.

Yes. Late to the party again or shall we call it fashionably late? In any case THIS MAY HAVE SPOILERS as I figure anyone who was jonesing for this jumped on it a while ago. This was a Free Audiobook for me which was perfect for my weekend activities. Hands free ;-) And I enjoyed it. It was done by [a:Jill Redfield 6421428 Jill Redfield https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1353841639p2/6421428.jpg].I think it's needless to rehash who came first [b:Fifty Shades of Grey 10818853 Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1) E.L. James https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385207843s/10818853.jpg 15732562] or [b:Bared to You 20448515 Bared to You (Crossfire, #1) Sylvia Day https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433411511s/20448515.jpg 18973111]. It hardly matters. I think the more important aspect is how [a:Sylvia Day 19823 Sylvia Day https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1484817078p2/19823.jpg], [a:E.L. James 4725841 E.L. James https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1308409727p2/4725841.jpg] etc. honed in to a vibe in the zeitgeist and the flood gates to these types of books were busted open.Once again we have young, impossibly beautiful people meeting and becoming instantly obsessed with each other in every aspect. Of course they can't have it all or there'd be no book so dark, painful pasts rear their ugly heads and our MCs own insecurities threaten to tear apart what is clearly a match made in romance heaven. But I sound snide and I don't mean to. I very much enjoyed the book. Although it was an audio I can tell that it was well written and the moments of justified crazy from both MC are resolved rather swiftly and it helps that both Gideon and Eva are aware of their issues and seem willing to work on them.The smexy times did not disappoint. I can well appreciate why Gideon Cross is a favorite book boyfriend. That level of commitment and adoration is enviable except I guess when you actually have it. Or maybe it's just me. But as a fantasy guy I'll take him any day.My misgivings come from the fact that I now know that the author has made this into what seems an interminable series thereby I'm sure adulterating the love affair between these two and giving the readers filler & nonsense that will make you forget why you loved the first book.Maybe I'll just stop here as the ending has them heading out to work on their HEA and isn't that what we are all doing in our daily lives anyway.

Not what I expected, not what I enjoy, and not interesting. A general disappointment for me, overall, due to the themes, the complete lack of realism, and even the vocabulary. Since it was so highly rated, I hoped for something more compelling.

Short review: Read it over the long weekend (along with the second book). Not bad. Nothing out of ordinary with the genre.

But it made me decide to write a (long) post on thoughts about reading trashy novels as a Christian.

http://bookwi.se/thoughts-on-reading-trashy-novels/