Submission is Not Enough

This is going to be a bit of a hard review for me to write. I ADORE everything Lexi Blake writes, and the Masters & Mercenaries series is one of my ALL time favorite series. And while I did VERY much enjoy this one. I was also disappointed. If that makes sense?


“I'm real, baby. I'm not ever going to play mind games with you. I'm going to be honest. I want you and not only in bed. I want you for selfish reasons. I think you're good for me. I don't want you simply because I think you're gorgeous. I like you. You make me laugh. You put me on my ass when I need it. I've never known a woman like you”


So first, what I LOVED.

-Miz Blake can WRITE. How she keeps all these intertwining plots and characters straight and continues to come up with stories that never bore me, is beyond my understanding.

-I loved seeing all the old gang from McKay-Taggart. As well as the London office gang. Loved hearing about the babies, and Ian getting a new son.

-LOVED Robert. In fact, I liked him more than I did Theo (sigh) Can't wait for Nick's book as well. Also, Simon's brother needs his own book, especially since it was stated he is into menage.

-LOVED Erin. Such a fabulous heroine. Strong, but soft and vulnerable at the same time.

-Great action and some smokin hot sex scenes (mostly in the flashbacks)



So what didn't I love...

-The Theo pity party went on WAY too long. I knew going in that this book was going to be heavy. I KNEW that the Theo we were going to get wasn't going to be the same after being tortured and losing his memory. That said, the Theo we got was, dare I say, a whiny self-centered asshole. He in NO WAY resembled a TAGGART (IMO). Even when his SON was in danger, he showed not an ounce of caring. He remained that way until 80% into the book. I just DID NOT LIKE HIM in any way. I never connected with him, and that made me SO sad because the old Theo was such a sweet and funny character. I would have liked at least a GLIMPSE of that.

-Which leads me to my other issue. I HATED the way he behaved towards his son (TJ) or rather DIDN'T, as in until 80% into the book he referred to TJ as “THE BOY” or “IT” We get ONE tiny scene near the beginning where he holds him for like a second. Then NOTHING until 80%. Oh, we get to hear OVER and OVER and OVER again how he “doesn't feel a connection to THE BOY” But any loving father stuff, no. Again, this had the unfortunate effect of causing me to disconnect from Theo even MORE.

-Lastly, I didn't feel the connection between Erin and Theo. Caused pretty much from the above issues. Plus there was SO much going on storywise, that I felt they never really got any “alone” time. In fact (and I may have forgotten) but I don't think they actually have intercourse in the present time in this book at all. We only get a glimpse of that in the flashbacks.

So see what I mean? Confused, because overall I enjoyed it and it kept me turning the pages. But disappointed because I was SO looking forward to Theo's book, and just really never warmed up to this “new” Theo.

Still, overall this is definitely worth the read. So two slightly confused thumbs up from your truly.