| Title | : | Reflected in You (Crossfire, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published October 2, 2012 |
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...
Reflected in You (Crossfire, #2) Reviews
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6+++ stars!
SQUEEE SQUEEE SQUEEE SQUEEEEE!!!!!!!
THIS. BOOK. WAS. ABSOLUTELY. UTTERLY. PERFECT.
I loved every, single moment of it!
If I had custom ordered this book straight from the deepest book desires of my heart, it could not have been any better.
Gideon Cross (oooo even his name gives me shivers) and Eva Tramell are one of my TOP favorite book couples ever. It was absolutely beautiful to watch a couple who were just so messed up but who wanted, with every fiber of their beings and every corner of their hearts, to do everything in their power to make their relationship work. Who were willing to sacrifice anything for each other. Who were willing to apologize. To never give up. To try again. And again and again and again until they made it work. Together.
Absolutely beautiful!!!!
The strength of their attraction, desire and need for each other is palatable. You can feel it rolling off the page. It hits you every single time. Its scorching. Consuming. Riveting. Intoxicating. But lust isn't enough to make a relationship truly work. In order for their love to have the room to properly and healthily develop, they have to learn to trust each other. And that truly is what is at the heart of this book. Trust.
With a couple with as many issues, hang-ups, and fuck ups as Gideon and Eva, yes, I admit it was sometimes frustrating to read through their problems. But the thing was, despite some of them being irrational and over-the-top, I sympathized with both of them about their insecurities and worries. Everything they felt, I understood. Sometimes it was painful, but always understandable.
They were not perfect people. They both had secrets. They both had a lot to learn about how to trust each other, find safety in each other, heal each other, save each other... and in doing so, find a way to save themselves.
But as messed up as they both were, they worked through EVERYTHING!! A couple after my own heart. **SQUEEEE**
“I didn't know I was looking for anything until I saw you.”
Gideon is the epitome of a complex, tortured, flawed, and mysterious hero. But my dear God does he make my heart (and my panties) melt!!! I swear, flaws and all, that man is pure perfection to me. I absolutely adored everything about his character. Everything.
And we get a lot more insight into him- into his secrets, his nightmares, how he became so rich, what he felt when they first met. For a story told entirely from Eva's perspective, we do learn a lot about him in this book.
Eva is one of my favorite heroines as well. Never once have I wanted to throttle her. She, just like Gideon, is seriously flawed and scarred by her past. She has real insecurities, jealousies, worries, but I sympathized with them all and loved her spirit, her dedication and her decisions.
As a couple, they were just so functional!! Watching them work so hard at their relationship, where no matter what went wrong, letting nothing tear them apart... it was inspiring, heart warming, and beautiful.
This book put my heart through a delicious ringer. It made it race, flutter, melt, burn, freeze, drop, pound, stop... It broke my heart and it healed my heart. I loved every minute!!!
Let me tell you though, in this book, Gideon will test your trust, patience and faith in him to the absolute limit. He asks for Eva's trust, but as the reader, I felt for her SO strongly that it was MY trust I was putting out there. I realized before all the drama started that I had a choice and a decision to make: Did I trust him? Or didn't I?
I realized that I loved his character enough to trust that he wouldn't ever betray her... I was patient with him way past the point where I'd have lost patience with any other character. But again, and again, and again I trusted, he tested, I waited, I trusted and he tested some more. Serious props to Ms. Day for putting me RIGHT in the heroine's mind. When you feel for what a character is going through with all your heart, that's a sign of absolutely brilliant writing.
Please please please... if you are going to read this and hit that point where you think you are going to lose faith in Gideon, just hang on. Trust me, the ending is worth every moment of heart ache!!!
He caught me to him, his arms banded tight around me. His face pressed into my throat. "Where do we go from here?"
I held him. "Wherever this takes us. Together.”
I can't tell you how absolutely happy the ending made me!!!! Seriously, I felt like I could fly!! *happy dance*
And on the note of the ending... IS IT DECEMBER YET??!!!!??!
****PS. If you haven't read book 1, BARED TO YOU, yet, do be sure to start with it. This is a continuation of the story that started there, it is NOT a standalone.
MY CASTING: (see above)
“I am obsessed with you, angel. Addicted to you. You're everything i've ever wanted or needed, everything i've dreamed of. You're everything. I live and breathe you. For you.”
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2.5 Stars!!
So here I begin my rant. I am pissed after reading this book because it merely came upto 10% of what I was expecting it to be.. So this is me going on about it in biker language.
Ok, So let me begin with a little good first, The sex was HOT, Like seriously good and HOT! But it was SO fucking clingy andI dont even have the right words to say how effing clingy it wasIt was so like I need to fuck you because I am an insecure person, for both of them. It was them fucking, not making love.. There was steam and sizzle, but not a single ounce of the chemistry that they had in the first book.
WHAT THE FUCK was with chapter 1-13.. I could have fit that shit into 2chapters. Seriously? I didn't know one could drag shit like that for 13 bloody chapters.. It pissed the living hell out of me, 13 chapters of the same repeated crap. SAME. BLOODY. CRAP.
The last 4-5chapters were nice, thats what I was expecting from the whole book, So the 2.5 Stars the book has gotten from me, its ONLY FOR THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS. There was still absolutely NO details what so ever about Gideon and his abuse. It was like 2pages. 2bloody pages!!! *pissed*
Seriously Eva, Grow a spine and Gideon, you stupid idiotic fool! I love you but damn boy did you piss the shit out of me in this book..
I feel pretty pissed as I'm reading the book.. 35% into the book and the same drama is on about how Gideon isn't telling Eva anything and how's she's getting pissed and asking him questions and he is still not telling her anything and how he is using sex to get around the questions she is asking him and how they are insecure and want to be close to each other even though he is very secretive and she is always pissed...
75% into the book and its the SAME crap! SAME. Do you know how frustrating it is? Waiting for a book for months hoping to get a load of stuff out of it and what do we get? Nothing.
After 75% did the book pick up, gave us a little tiny bit of information.
The book barely stirred any emotions inside be appart from angry.
I know I expected a lot from this book, but hell.. it didn't even live up to 10% of Bared to You.
I could have fitted this whole book into like 5chapters of Entwined with You. Hate it how authors now a days want to drag shit out. I mean.. YES we love detailed stuff, and we do like out books moderately long but this is like pushing it a little too far by unnecessarily dragging stuff out.
Clingy non chemistry sex(fucking) not love making is so not a turn on for me. So this book was a total BOO for me.
I just hope Entwined with You is as good as Bared to You and nothing like this book.
Look down and see how bad I've waited for this book. I am utterly disappointed. :( -
“I’m caught up with you, Eva.” With his head tilted back, 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.”
I didn't read this book - I devoured it!
If you liked Bared to You, there is no doubt that you are going to totally love Reflected In You. We rejoin Gideon and Eva right where we left them at the end of the first book and the story springs into life immediately and takes you on one of the most emotional and exhausting journeys you’re ever likely to see in erotic fiction. Never was the expression ‘Love Hurts’ more appropriate.
Eva and Gideon are in so deep with each other they are practically drowning. They complete each other but their traumatic pasts cast a lengthy shadow over their lives today and nothing is ever going to be easy for them. Eva is still wearing her heart on her sleeve, spilling her secrets to Gideon, telling him she loves him. Gideon is still holding everything back and just demanding that he trust her but she’s not sure she can and his reticence is causing her to lash out and inflict pain in retaliation.
“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.”
There were times when I wanted to bang their heads together, to scream at them to stop what they were doing and just talk to each other but then again, I really do love the characters in the books I read to suffer and Eva and Gideon truly do suffer. There’s so much raw pain and angst here – their love for one another is all-consuming but also extremely destructive. They’re jealous, obsessive, possessive and very alike and it makes for an explosive relationship both in the bedroom and out. They can’t live with each other yet neither one can survive without the other.
Eva and Gideon ride an emotional roller coaster throughout this instalment leading them both to the depths of despair and Gideon could have made things easier with just a few words but he chooses not to but it does lend wonderfully to the air of angst pervading the story but they really are put through the wringer and it makes this book so very hard, nigh on impossible, to put down. Their pain is, quite literally, palpable.
I just totally adore Gideon. He’s a wonderfully attentive powerhouse of a lover, a controlling, domineering uber-alpha hero and drop-dead gorgeous. His traumatic past is still giving him violent nightmares he can’t control and my heart went out to Gideon the little boy when his awful secret is finally revealed. No wonder the poor man has nightmares. He loves Eva so much even if he can’t give his feelings words but is scared that he’s going to hurt her and will go to extraordinary lengths to see she is not harmed. In my head, he’s always looked like the gorgeous David Gandy (quite a few of my fictional boyfriends do!)
[image error] -
This won't be a greatest hits review.
2.5 stars. I apologize in advance. I actually spent an hour typing out a review, hit post, then decided to scrap the entire thing and start over because I didn't want to subject you all to my extreme ranty side that comes when I am so wrapped up in the negative that I fail to see the positive. The sarcasm was out in full force tonight. There were to be no fun headers or witty scripts. It was just a rant-o-rama with a side of 'fetch me my gun.'
Take TWO! Let me start with the positives first this time, so those of you who want to exit the show before it goes south can make haste and leave while the getting is still good.
*pause for a moment of reflection and a sip of liquid refreshment* There. I'm feeling better already.
Positive Number 1 : Gideon is still sexy as all get-out. In case you forgot, your memory will be refreshed until your mind has been beaten into submission and you are able to recite details about his person for memory. This one is actually sort of a plus-minus for me. I like being refreshed as long as we're not consumed with repetitiveness.
Positive Number 2 : Gideon can kick ass. And when he's not personally kicking ass, he has the money to hire someone to kick ass for him. Because sometimes, it's just not worth it to get that suit dirty.
Positive Number 3 : Gideon can talk the talk and walk the walk. Dirty talk coupled with dirty sex is always rewarding.
Positive Number 4 : I thoroughly enjoyed the middle section of this book. The restaurant scene and the concert scene (which was quite yummy) were top-notch.
...and end positives. If you want a story with a sexy, protective, alpha-male who can satisfy his woman to mu-mu-mu-mulllltiples, there you go. Get on this asap. I have to stick around and finish this review.
Negative Number 1 : The first half of the book probably contained more romance cliches than any romance book I've read in a while. My all time non-favorite showed up
in this status update. I was also not-vibing over Gideon using the word "milked" in reference to what a girl part does to a boy part. That is romance lingo 101 - not actually something a MAN would ever say.
Negative Number 2 : The story was all over the place. There was more running away and then return makeup-fucking than needed for one book. Compare this book to putting every single kidnap scene from the Kristen Ashley Dream Man series in one book (oh snap...I did go there, guess the snark didn't fully go away). That's how much running and re-coupling happened.
Negative Number 3 : Gideon was a controlling jackass. Alpha is fine. Protective is fine. Controlling is not fine. I didn't think Eva's counter-reacting was enough of a get-out-of-jail-free card for his behavior. Eva did give it back to him, but she should have stressed harder boundaries if he wasn't fully ready to heal/change just yet...it is possible to love someone through their flaws as they're learning to change, while still maintaining self-dignity. Her little games with Gideon to prove that she knew what he was up to were just that - games.
Negative Number 4 : The story could have been stronger overall. HOT MAN plus HOT SEX does not equal greatness in storytelling. It equals "hell yeah, that was an enjoyable chapter 3, 7, 14, and 29" (I don't actually recall which chapters had the hot sex, but you get my point). I hated that we didn't really get to start learning more about why our characters needed therapy and healing until the end of the book. I could have used a few more breadcrumbs of substance to balance out all of the extreme obsessing and jealousy issues. Just a few!
...and phew. I managed to point out my negatives without turning this review into a hate-filled rant. Overall, the book was alright with a few glaring issues. I do find myself more invested than I was with book 1 (which felt like a better-written version of Fifty and left me underwhelmed), so I'll probably give book 3 a shot.
So, I managed to snag a small portion of my commentary from the original review. I couldn't bear to send it all to the void. Here you go :
I'm a little alarmed over the "new" romance standard that's crept in over the past year or so. Oh, who are we kidding? This hasn't been a creep...this has been a steamroll.
The first few "extreme drama" books that I read were fun before it got old, fast. I'm ready for this high/low style of writing to die out soon. When the trend started, the style was new and different - it quickly became the kind of story which made us raise an eyebrow and excitedly start comparing notes with our friends about what the hell was going on. Now it's just turned into a free-for-all of storytelling which has become prone to an over-saturation of carnal obsession and unwise decisions.
What happened to smart characters and engaging stories? How are we falling for this recurring story of ultimate dominance wrapped up in a smooth-talking, panty-dropping package? Do the 'golden' attributes of wealth and sex appeal give a person license to be a total controlling jackass? Are trust, honesty and good character no longer valued qualities for the contemporary woman?
You can chew on that and spit it out if you want. My opinion does not reflect the general population. Most people love these books. What can I say? I did rate this one higher than the first, so something must be growing on me.
This book was provided from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. -
Español - English
El nombre del libro es totalmente apropiado para Eva y Gideon, ellos reflejan en el otro amor, posesión, celos, inseguridad, dolor.
A pesar de que Gideon lo sabe todo sobre Eva, este no logra abrirse y dejarse conocer, cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles el trata de silenciarlo con sexo y le funciona.
Además de esto tendrán que enfrentarse a más de una ex amante disgustada de Gideon y muchas otras situaciones del pasado que harán que se distancien.
✨✨✨
The name of the book is totally appropriate for Eva and Gideon, they reflect on the other love, possession, jealousy, insecurity, pain.
Although Gideon knows everything about Eva, this one does not manage to open up and let himself be known, when things get difficult, he tries to silence him with sex and it works for him.
In addition to this they will have to face more Gideon's ex-lover and many other situations of the past that will cause that they split apart. -
Review posted on 10/16/2012
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AT READING, EATING AND DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF
At first, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about Reflected in You by Sylvia Day. Honestly, the beginning of this novel drove me crazy. It reminded me of the Fifty Shades trilogy by E.L. James. In addition, Eva was a whinny pushover and Gideon was a silent, selfish bastard. Their relationship was basically at a standstill for the first half of this novel. They avoided all of their problems and used sex as a replacement for talking, a way to avoid the real issues, and a way to deal with arguments. I felt like the characters and their relationship were going nowhere. I just wanted to scream at the characters, especially Gideon. Eva said it best when she said, "I get two answers from him: Trust me and wait."
At about 70% or so things really picked up. It was like BAM! Eva picked herself up off of the floor, grew a pair, and showed everyone that she wasn't a weak, whinny plaything after all. I really admired her attitude and, quite frankly, her audacity. Gideon, unfortunately, remained silent. The story line also became a lot more intense and exciting. And, I absolutely loved the way this book ended. The big speech at the end, given by someone who is not a main character, was hands down the best part of this book. The wheels were turning in my mind the whole time they were talking and everything clicked into place. It wrapped up this book nicely.
Gideon and Eva made some progress in this novel. Granted, it didn't happen until the last 30% or so of this book, but I'm glad there was some improvement, individually and together. There is still a whole lot for them to work through and I'm very curious to see how this series concludes.
Again, the beginning of this novel really reminded me of Fifty Shades, but I will say this, the author did a great job of moving away from Fifty Shades at the end of this novel. I think the conflict and the dramatic ending really made this book stand apart.
I gave Reflected in You (Crossfire #2) by Sylvia Day 4 STARS. Ms. Day is an extremely talented author. Reflected in You is a SEXY adult romance novel that will captivate readers. I strongly recommend this series to adults who like domineering men, wounded characters, and emotional roller coasters.
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
Written on 5/4/2012
I really don't like to be negative, but I can't let this go...
All I could think about after I finished Bared to You, the first book in the Crossfire series, was how freaking similar Bared to You by Sylvia Day was to the Fifty Shades series by E.L. James. Since I have finished reading Bared to You, I have noticed the "alternate" Bared to You book cover and the Reflected in You book cover - both covers, in my opinion, are Fifty Shades knock offs. To be frank, I am really mad about this. I know Fifty Shades isn't "my" series so I don't have any right to get mad over this...but COME ON!!!! The characters, plot, etc. from Bared to You are just like the characters, plot, etc. from Fifty Shades. Wasn't that enough? Did the author/publisher/whoever really have to have the same freaking book covers too?
Am I overreacting? Does this bother anyone else? -
Review posted at:
Swept Away By Romance
4.5 Stars!! No shades of grey here…Sylvia Day writes in full blown TECHNICOLOR! She paints Eva and Gideon’s intense, passionate, tumultuous relationship, in rich vivid detail. Just when you think their troubles are behind them, think again!
“You’re the greatest risk I’ve ever taken.” His pressed his lips gently to mine. “And the greatest reward.”
I was on the fence in the beginning about the plot. I found myself wondering where this was going, and willing the story to move forward, but Sylvia Day was weaving a tale that was very unexpected; a delightful intriguing surprise! My initial annoyance at the story’s pace, the character’s inablitly to commit, namely Gideon, left me grinning in after thought. How it was revealed; painstakingly slow… made for some intense heart-pounding moments. I knew something was coming, but I was never quite sure what it was. The author has the reader suffering along with the characters…and she does a damn good job of it! I feel compelled to read the last half of the book again, to appreciate the way Sylvia Day manipulted the characters and played with the reader’s mind.
“No one’s ever seen before, Eva. You’re the only one.”
A huge part of this story is the need-based, extremely sexual relationship between Eva and Gideon. It borders on desperation and obsession…correction they ARE are desperately obsessed with one another! Only they can understand, give to each other, what is necessary to heal the pain of the past, but yet I have to wonder if they are only hurting each other more. At times they are sweet and loving, but at a moments notice, that love, insane desire, lust, becomes gritty and raw. You are brought to the edge…each and every time! There is some down and dirty “goings-on”!! WOW! Warning…do not read this in public!!
“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.”
Eva’s strength and determination to do find out what haunts Gideon, made me appreciate her even more. She’s been somewhat of a strong character, except when it comes to him. Her insane jealousy clouds her thinking and has her actions bordering on stupid. However, she defies him in her quest to find out the truth, takes no prisoners, when she rolls over everyone to get answers. Little more is exposed about Gideon’s past, although there is a heartbreaking moment where we get confirmation of what we already know. He is a contradiction; a powerful confident entrepreneur, yet when it comes to Eva, he is easily shattered. She is the only one who he reveals his vulnerability too. Their relationship is one that is not easily remedied; it makes for a compelling, but somewhat frustrating read.
My only complaint would be the constant reference to the blessedly endowed Gideon. I have no doubt that he has the goods, you don’t need to tell me multiple times, once, twice…is enough. I get the picture…as a matter-of-fact, it’s a vision I can’t seem to get out of my head, not that I want too!
While I wouldn't deem the ending a cliff-hanger, so many questions remained unanswered and new ones have come to the forefront However, I was satisfied when I turned the last page; for all intents and purposes it had a conclusive ending, with a little imagination on the reader’s part needing to be thrown in.
Once again, Sylvia Day has earned the right to hold the title “Best-Selling Author.” I have no doubt this book is going to be a hit, it certainly was with me. She has written a sensual, captivating, powerful second installment in her Crossfire series. It is sure to please readers, leave them breathless, and have them eagerly waiting for more!!
*ARC kindly provided by Sylvia Day and Penguin Group Publishing(USA) via NetGalley* -
★★★★★! Reflected in you (book 2). The continuation of Gideon’s and Eva’s epic, spellbinding & addictive story with suspense, challenges, self-discovery and their intense dysfunctional love!
“The only way I’m keeping my hands off her is if I’m dead. Find another way to fix us.”
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 in the Crossfire series must be read in order:
Book 1:
Bared to You
Book 2:
Reflected in You
Book 3:
Entwined with You
Book 4:
Captivated by You
Book 5:
One with You
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.
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.
“I’d rather argue with you, angel, than laugh with anyone else.”
Six words to describe Gideon: Unforgettable, intense, ruthless, enigmatic, dominant and captivating.
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.”
For me the theme song for Gideon’s and Eva’s story is:
♫ Listen to Otis Redding’s soulful rendition of “My precious love” ♫. The lyrics so simply depicts the intensity of Gideon’s love and need for his Eva.
Epic! Spellbinding! Captivating! Addictive! Unforgettable! In my humble opinion likely to become one of the best love stories of all times!
“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
*******************************************
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. -
Totally bared. Our pleasure reflected in each other.
Gideon Cross and Eva Tramell, together for less than a month, both seriously broken, are trying to build a relationship.
This is the highly anticipated sequel to Bared to You following on the next morning where the first book left off.
This is in my opinion a more polished and professional book than Bared to You. A fairly impressive installment. And I'm surprised that I liked it as much as I did. The relationship, the characters, the childhood sexual abuse, etc read much more believably. Even Cross's business success (which I had a really hard time believing in the first book for a twenty-eight year old) has been given an explanation, and though not completely plausible I did buy it, making me smile.
In Bared to You Gideon and Eva's relationship, based initially on a strong sexual attraction, didn't seem to move on from there. But this time around, it's much more. There is plenty of sex, although not quite as much as I'd imagined there would be. Their relationship plays out a little bit d/s (but no real bdsm) which is kind of surprising as I thought that was the direction it was headed in Bared to You. But in my opinion, it all worked much better.
Even though Eva and Gideon manage to connect successfully through sex, the other parts of their relationship are still tumultuous. However, the added dimension of some suspense and a bit of intrigue to the storyline, lifted it above being simply focused on their sexual and emotional ups and downs. The second half of the book was totally engrossing.
Now Gideon at last reveals some secrets about his childhood abuse. Cary, Eva's friend has a major problem to deal with. Eva has part of her past come back to haunt her, with Gideon becoming involved. And Gideon makes an unexpected confession.
This was a far better read for me than Bared to You, ironing out some of the problems that really bugged me about the first book. The constant references to how Cross smelled. The overwhelming number of beautiful people. The inconsistencies in characterisation. The plot holes.
Though this is not without some faults. Both Gideon and Eva are way too needy. Their relationship though passionate and consuming, is also obsessive and unhealthy. Eva's insecurities and Gideon's possessiveness makes for an angsty, emotional read, but they also come across as somewhat weak and immature. The first half seemed to concentrate on this and stalled the pacing. The second half is where this book really came together.
Reflected in You is a superior story to the first book and a surprisingly absorbing read. I had no intention of reading this sequel but I'm glad I did. This was a more mature, developed storyline, the writing, plot and characterisations more consistent, subtle and realistic. In all, Reflected in You is entertaining, intriguing and well worth reading.
Steam: 4
ARC courtesy of Penguin Group (USA) via Edelweiss -
3.5 stars. 2-stars for the first half, but 5-stars for the ending. What started as a VERY FRUSTRATING story does end up with a great twist, so glad I stuck with it. Looooved the ending, but this story should have been titled “Head Games”. It really reminded me of that popular rock song ...
"Head Games, its you and me baby
Head games, and I can't take it anymore
Head games, I dont wanna play the...
Head games"
(By Foreigner, 1979)
Reading REFLECTED IN YOU was like attending a sexually charged relationship drama-festival, complete with death defying roller-coaster rides, crazy ass clowns everywhere, and the song HEAD GAMES by Foreigner blaring out of speakers at 150 decibels! Whew, my head is still spinning from reading this book!
The headliners of this show, Gideon and Eva, start off as two seriously fucked-up head-cases who believe sex can solve all problems, and who appear to thrive on angst, jealousy, anger, fear, and control. There is very little ‘peace, calm and cozy’ about their turbulent relationship. Sadly, if it wasn’t for the last 15% which provided a great solid ending that left me anxious for the next story, I would have rated this even lower.
RIY starts off where BTY ended, then spends far too much time (the first 2/3rds of the book) just spinning in circles as we learn over and over (and over and over!) just how jealous Eva is, how secretive Gideon is, and how playing head-games to lash out at the other never solves a damn thing. Sex, on the other hand, apparently solves everything. If the choice is either ‘talk’ or ‘cock’, the cock wins every time.
When I first read that this series was going to be stretched into three books instead of the originally intended two, I immediately had some concerns. According to the author Gideon and Eva’s ending was already planned out, which made me worry that we might get filler content not originally intended for the story. Unfortunately, I think that is what most of the first half of the book contained: filler content.
The first 2/3rds of REFLECTED IN YOU spent a lot of time just showing the emotional, jealous and obsessive side of both Gideon and Eva, which stalled the actual pacing of the series IMO. It felt as if they were still back at the beginning and making no progress whatsoever. It was scene after scene of them stuck in a repetitive cycle of jealousy, anger, hurt and then makeup sex. I enjoyed the hot make up sex, and loved how devoted Gideon was to Eva, but watching these two fight over and over without making any progress got old quickly. I was ready for the story to move on.
Fortunately, the ending solved that and even shined some light on why Gideon kept so many secrets. We also learn more about his abuse story, so be prepared for an emotional jerker when it comes. I loved the ending, and it now feels as if the series is well back on track. It wasn’t until the last 1/3rd of the book (and most of it comes in the last 15%) when the story really started to come together. Eva finally pieces together many of Gideon’s secrets and reveals quite a shocking conclusion!! And best of all, I loved the Gideon and Eva we see toward the end. Just maybe (fingers crossed!) they have moved forward in their healing progress. (knock on wood, please!)
The Story
Gideon and Eva are trying to make a go at having a relationship, but Gideon’s ex-finance Corrine doesn’t want to walk away nicely. Eva feels threatened and very jealous, which calls into question her trust of Gideon. She is unsure about what is transpiring between Gideon and Corrine, and can’t come to terms with the amount of secrets that Gideon is keeping from her. Questions such as ‘where were you?’ and ‘What were you doing?’ go un-answered, he only tells her to trust him.
The fighting and arguing between Gideon and Eva felt non-stop. Even when they were together and having sex – they were still fighting!! And while he hates the constant fighting, he will only play this by his rules. He does not give up his friendship with Corrine, nor does he feel the need to answer Eva’s questions. It was frustrating! I found myself yelling at Gideon over and over!
So when one of Eva’s ex-lovers reappears, neither of them handles it well. I’ll leave it at that, but I will say I was really pissed off at both Gideon and Eva. I was equally pissed off at how they ‘resolved’ that problem between them. This plot device felt overly contrived too. It was just more drama and head-games that could have easily been prevented.
Gideon’s obsession with Eva is staggering; he practically devours her every time they are together. They cannot have sex enough, and he needs to know where she is and who she is with at every moment they are apart. He continues to spy on her, have her followed, and disrespects her privacy – all in the name of loving and protecting her. In fact, he professes his ardent desire for her every time they are together, which may re-assure her but oddly it made up far too much of their typical conversations.
They spend time visiting Dr. Petersen, a therapist, but make little progress. They are still both dealing with nightmares and significant issues form their childhood abuse. Cary plays a significant role as Eva’s bi-sexual roommate. He has his own storyline, and I am routing for an HEA for him too. It wasn’t until the ending that I felt that – just maybe—both Gideon and Eva have made progress with their healing, and could possibly have what it takes to truly have a healthy and loving relationship.
The sex scenes were plentiful, and some seriously hot. But I didn’t really connect with most of them as Gideon and Eva were often using sex in lieu of communicating with each other. When things went wrong (and it did often!) they would use their bodies instead of words, and it felt as if they measured their love in terms of sex and orgasms. And while I enjoyed all of the hot sex scenes, the lack of relationship building was off-putting for me, despite how much it fit with their personalities.
Final Thoughts
Despite not enjoying the first 2/3rds all that much, I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. The ending of this one made up for much of my issues I had early in the book, and even renewed my belief that Gideon and Eva are meant for each other. I have great hope for Gideon and Eva now! I would love to see more of the Gideon and Eva we saw toward the end of this book. Fingers crossed they don’t revert to the jealous and emotionally unstable couple we see through most of RIY, the ones playing non-stop head games with each other. As the lyrics say "Head games, and I can't take it anymore". My thoughts exactly.
ARC provided through Edelweiss by Penguin Group (USA) Inc. -
Spoiler Free Review
3.5 STARS out of 5
Genre: Adult Romance Erotica
"You know what happens when you run, angel." Gideon nipped my lower lip with his teeth, and then soothed the sting with the caress of his tongue. "I catch you."
Gideon Cross is one smooth EVASIVE motherfu**er, this book only solidifies that fact.
Reflected in you has Gideon and Eva trying to move forward in a relationship that seems impossible for them to uphold. Their passion for one another is like a Tornado. A Tornado that is unstoppable and can change it's course at any given time. It can never be predicted, and that's exactly how their relationship felt. Chaotic, it could go from zero to sixty in a nano second. I found their love to be desperate, extremely intense and possibly reckless. Yet they fought for it with every breath that escapes their lungs.
Thoughts
I.. What... Wait, let me start over. **inhales then exhales**
This book was the SUPER DUPER LOOPER ROLLERCOASTER! You know the one I'm talking about. The one that leaves you all discombobulated after you get off! **sighs heavily** This book was waaay to...up and down for me, way to many break-ups and make-ups. Not enough we're together now "happy happy joy joy." Just a bunch of
- I love you
- Great sex
- I need you
- More sex
- I'm jealous
- I want you
- A nightmare
- A break-up
- I need you
- Make-up sex
- More Jealousy
- A break-up
- I hate you
- Sobbing
- False pretenses
- Some bird flipping **chuckles** Eva gave the middle finger gesture twice! I liked that!! A lot!!
I'm sure I missed a few I love you and hot sex moments but you get the gist of it. And I found myself wanting to choke Gideon. Often. YES I know that when we finally reach the end there is a method to his madness/shadiness.... But he still grated my nerves.
I have a true love-hate relationship with this book. Some parts I loved and some I did not. But hey that's me to each his/her own.
This book gets 3.5 stars because I was able to predict every plot twist. I knew exactly what/who Eva's mom saw outside of Crossfire. So the mystery was gone for me. Couple that with the shaky relationship they had and it made the book hard for me to enjoy. I will continue with the series and I am very interested for what Sylvia Day plans to do in book #3.
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- Clever, Intense and Savory
Steam Factor- High/Very Steamy
Overall- I liked it but I did not love it! Do I recommend it? Yes!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads! -
Just finished book one and I seriously cannot wait until October! AH! Gideon and Eva are perfection.
-
Reflected in You (Crossfire, #2), Sylvia Day
Sylvia June Day (born March 11, 1973) is a Japanese American writer of romance novels. She also writes under the pseudonyms S.J. Day and Livia Dare. She is a number one bestselling author in 28 countries.
Crossfire Series:
Bared to You (2012)
Reflected in You (2012)
Entwined with You (2013)
Captivated by You (2014)
One with You (2016)
Sylvia Day has stated that Bared to You will be the first novel in her Crossfire series, with the follow-up novel, Reflected in You, published in October 2012. The Crossfire series sold five million English-language copies in 2012 and international rights were licensed in thirty-eight territories as of January 2013.
Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn't stay away. I didn't want to. He was my addiction... my every desire... mine.
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...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز بیست و دوم ماه اکتبر سال 2017میلادی
عنوان: عبور از آتش (کراس فایر) کتاب دوم: منعکس شده در تو؛ نویسنده: سیلویا دی؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متده آمریکا - سده 21م
کتاب نخست این سری «عریان برای تو»، رمانی عاشقانه و شهوانی، برای بزرگسالان، در سال 2012میلادی، از نویسنده ای کهنه کار، «سیلویا دی» است؛ تمرکز این سری روی رابطه ی پیچیده ی «گیدین» و «ایوا» است؛ «سیلویا دی» بیان کرده، که «عریان برای تو» نخستین رمان از سری «کراس فایر» است، و رمان دوم این سری به نام «منعکس در تو» نیز، نخستین بار در ماه اکتبر سال 2012میلادی منتشر شد؛ سری «کراس فایر» در سال 2012میلادی، بیش از پنج میلیون نسخه، در زبان انگلیسی فروش داشت، و سپس در سی و هشت کشور دیگر جهان نیز ترجمه و چاپ چاپ شد
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 04/12/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی -
4.5 stars
… “For better or worse, he was my soul mate. The other half of me. In many ways, he was my reflection…”
I devoured this book. It’s filled with angst, insatiable raw need that’s intense and a love that’s obsessive and exclusive. The chemistry sizzles and each scorching hot love scene is remarkably filled with an intimacy that’s palpable.
Reflected in You begins right where the first installment, Bared To You left us. Eva and Gideon are still struggling with the demons left over from a horrific childhood of sexual abuse. They both have insecurities and neither know how to have a relationship. Eva worries she’ll make his life hell with her deep seated issues and realizes she can be clingy, jealous and needy. Gideon is still keeping his darkness locked up tight, fearing once Eva learns his secrets, “she’ll run like hell.” Adding to this are the self-worth issues they face, each not being able to see what makes them unique enough for someone to really love them.
One of the things I love about SD’s talent is how she captures the heart of emotion and transfers those feelings to the reader. Here, they’re raw, gripping, powerful, passionate, and at times heart wrenching. Whatever is unfolding, I’m deeply invested, lost in her world of make believe. Wherever she takes me, I’m left reeling from the thoughts and sentiments of the characters.
For Eva, Gideon Cross was her drug of choice.... “He was my drug, and I had no desire to kick the habit.” When it came to Gideon, Eva was more than willing to be devoured. He was her every desire.
For Gideon, Eva was his addiction too... “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 get out of bed every morning and face the world because you’re in it.”
Totally bared. Their pleasure is “reflected in each other.” “...His obsessive and insatiable raw need for me, which reflected the depth of my need for him!”
In this installment, Gideon and Eva battle for one of the most important aspects of a relationship….Trust. The journey is HOT, Sensual, Gripping, Intense and filled with their hunger and need. And a revelation that shocked me! I loved it!
For this reader, Sylvia Day has knocked it out of the ball park when it comes to these installment series! I’ve read many, but none touches me like The Crossfire. I can hardly wait until December and get the conclusion, Entwined With You. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a HEA with a long, drawn out Epilogue. -
I am going to review this within 30 minutes of finishing it because honestly, I cannot spend anymore time with this book. I apologize, for this is going to be a bit of a rant. Not my normal forte but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
Let me first say I LOVED Bared to You...LOVED IT! But this book just fell flat. As flat as my forehead is from banging my head against the desk, wall and Nook while reading it.
I expected the high level of energy that is WHAT makes up Eva and Gideon. I thought that maybe in their four week (was it only four weeks? Sheesh!) relationship they would settle down a bit but NO that couldn't happen. There was so much drama, so much running away, coming back, and running away again that my head hurt and not from the head banging. I couldn't focus on who Gideon and Eva were as separate characters and certainly could not connect with them as a couple. I felt like something was seriously missing. What was I missing? Oh, the five days it took to read the book!
Sex in a book, sex that I know the author is great at writing to create some serious steam that I need to bring a towelette to wipe off my Nook should NEVER be confusing. From the shower scene, the mile high scene, the OH SO uncomfortable ride in the limo to the beach scene. I never felt that welcome tingle and need to rush home or wake up my husband. Ugh.
Don't get me started on Gideon and his creepy behavior. I love a good Alpha Male but there is a line that is crossed in this book, not Crossfire but plain crossed. No is no, unless you have me collared and I have agreed to be your slave I don't need to safe out to get you to stop. Safe-word or not, if you care for someone and they say get off then get off.
Oh, does the man own ALL of Manhattan? Did they give him a key to the city? Should we rename it the land of Gideon? Argh. Having wealth and power is one thing but they way he goes about it is not attractive at all.
Eva did show some signs of a back bone but always ran back to Gideon. I get love, I get loyalty and devotion but there is so much co-dependency between these two it made me sick. They need a new therapist or at least listen to the one they sit in front of.
I had high hopes for this book I really did. The feel to it was so off and I don't know if it was how Bared was self published that made it different or that this just was not the book for me.
This book was provided from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. -
*Slight Spoilers*
This review will be short and to the point. If ya loved Bared to You then you'll love this story. If you're not a fan then get gone.
Reflected in You is appropriately named for Gideon and Eva. Reflected in each other is Obsession, Jealousy, Possession, Love, Addiction and Heartbreak.
Gideon has STAMINA! I could never tire on how "big" his STAMINA is. Once again, I love the visuals my mind conjured up.
Ms. Day writes awesome sensuality and smokin' sex scenes...in the shower(my fave), at a concert(oh boy), limo(very intense) or joining the mile high. She takes us to another level in their relationship whether it was good or bad, I enjoyed the ride. Other characters new and old come into play and maybe we can get side stories on them.
Favorite lines/moments:
Gideon woke up ready to conquer the world, and liked to start that domination with me.
He was my drug, and I had no desire to kick the habit.
"You can be good for me, Gideon," I told him softly. "I don't know how I could ever forget that. Even for a minute."
"See something you like?" he purred, pleasuring himself.
"Oh my God," I breathed, riveted. "You are so fucking hot."
The gleam in his eyes told me he knew what he was doing to me. His free hand slid slowly up his ridged abdomen and squeezed his pectoral, making me jealous. "Could you come watching me?"Me thinking to myself...Fuck Yeah!
Reaching for my hand, he lefted it to his lips and kissed my fingertips. "I love you."
"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."All in all...I effin loved it!
-
Holy sh*t! What an amazing book! I've had nervous knots in my stomach and have bitten down all my nails over the last three hours. What a fabulous second book! Can't wait for the final book.
Reflected in You is the second book in the Crossfire Series, the first being Bared to You. These books have been compared to Fifty Shades, but they are one thousand times better than those books. You still get the sexy screwed-up billionaire alpha male who comes off as so controlling it borders on stalking. However, the heroine is no meek child. Eva is just as screwed-up as Gideon and she's also wealthy. These books are about two damaged people who enter a dysfunctional relationship and work as hard as they can to make it a functional one. The first book set up their story and this book was more about Eva's past history. The story was beautiful as sacrifices are made and they love each other unconditionally. I haven't stopped thinking about the book since I read it a few days ago and I'm even thinking of re-reading it. For those fans of Fifty Shades, this is a do not miss. It doesn't have the BDSM, but still contains plenty of hot sex which Sylvia Day writes to perfection. Once you read the first two in this series, the author has several historical romances and paranormal romances with spice to hold you over until the final book in this trilogy. -
“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 ♥
See this review on my blog! |
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Damn books that make you feel like a yo-yo. It's so addictive. And damn you Gideon Cross. I've fallen for you yet I don't know why. I hate how big of an asshole you are, I hate how you've treated Eva. I understand this installment, but I have many questions. All beginning with Corrine. I.DO.NOT.LIKE.HER.
Again this is an old book, I'm behind the times here. Review will be short and simple. I'm loving this series, one i'd so recommend to you if you haven't read it yet. The characters are so well built. I'm riding this journey right along with them. I have no time for more, I have to read on!!
-
"We were together because we were addicted to each other."
If Sylvia Day's Crossfire series were a drug it would be categorized under the same shelf as some of the worlds most potent drugs. My Kindle was nearly glued to my face while reading this book and I could not put it down from the moment I started. Like Gideon Cross, I went hard and fast with this book and needed to read it like I need air to breathe. REFLECTED IN YOU had me completely enthralled and Sylvia Day left me transfixed on Eva Trammel and Gideon Cross' turbulent and passionate love story.
"Maybe there were people out there whose love could survive anything, but mine was fragile. It needed to be nurtured in order to thrive and grow."
REFLECTED IN YOU picks up the day after the events of Bared to You. Eva and Gideon are working on establishing the foundations of their relationship and in order to do that they must tackle their individual histories plus deal with bouts of jealousy, possessiveness, and insecurities. As if there wasn’t enough on their plate, they also have to deal with friends, family and individuals from their past who are set on making their life a little more difficult.
To say that REFLECTED IN YOU was high in drama would be an understatement. The emotional highs and lows in this book made me want to reach for that bottle of TUMS and start popping them like Tic-Tacs. Eva and Gideon’s relationship has been one major train wreck that I have not been able to tear myself away from. In essence, Eva and Gideon are two people who have no business in being in a relationship, especially with each other. But even when there are so many odds against them, Eva and Gideon fight tooth and nail to hold on to a love and relationship they're addicted to and desperately need.
"I should've become used to the change that came over him when he looked at me, but it still hit me with a force strong enough to rock me on my feet. That look convereyed how hard and deep he wanted to f*ck me - which he did every chance he got - and it also afforded me a glimpse of his raw, unrelenting for of will. A core strength and command that masked everything Gideon did in life."
Even with all the drama that unravels in this book, I still believe that Eva and Gideon really do belong to each other. Some say that two wrongs don't make a right but in Eva and Gideons case, they absolutely do. Yes, their relationship is dysfunctional and stressful but their undying love for each other is undeniable. As flawed as they are, their union only makes sense and honestly there aren't many people in the world who would be able to put up with all of their issues. As per the usual, Eva played the jealous and feisty girlfriend which only made me like her more. I give her props for wanting to claim her man and I really admired her for having balls of steel for confronting Gideon's mother, Corinne and Dr. Lucas. As for Gideon...well y'all already know how much I love this man but after reading Reflected in You my love for him even went deeper. He's protective, commanding, and over-bearing as ever and the depths he will go to for Eva will leave some of you quite shocked. Without giving away any spoilers, I was schoked to find out Sylvia Day took the path that she did with Gideon. I had my feelings about it and wouldn't have doubted it but hot damn, Miss Day went there and left me with my jaw dropped.
"I couldn't imagine that I'd ever fall in love again like I had with Gideon. For better or worse, he was my soul mate. The other half of me. In many ways, he was my reflection."
While REFLECTED IN YOU might leave you emotionally exhausted, the roller coaster ride that is Eva and Gideon's relationship is completely worth the pain and suffering. For a popular series like Crossfire with fans who are so engrossed with the characters, Sylvia Day definitely had her work cut out for her follow up to Bared to You. With Reflected in You as one of my mostly anticipated reads for 2012 I am more than happy to state that Sylvia Day more than delivered in this sequel. The emotional highs and lows, intense, passionate and explosive love scenes, and that jaw dropping ending are just a few reasons why this book is one of my favorites from this year (along with Bared to You, of course). If you were a fan of Bared to You, Reflected in You is definitely one book you'll want to get as soon as it hits shelves.
I know that Entwined with You will be released in December but I am already dying to find out what the conclusion of Eva and Gideon's relationship will be. Crossfire is definitely my drug of choice and after reading each book, Sylvia Day leaves me on the most amazing book high that I've ever experienced.
* ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
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9/21/12
Gideon made me really nervous in the later half of the book. I'm still trying to process everything. All I can say is, Damn.My Kindle was nearly glued to my face. Sylvia Day had me captivated and Reflected in You was a fabulous sequel. Can't wait for book 3!!
*Review to Come (As soon as I process everything) -
Update: 9/8/12! The "fake" review has been removed. I hate that it was bugging me so much, but I can't help but get rankled by the idea the pub or amazon or anyone other than a legit customer left a review for the purpose of selling pre-orders.
BTW: After some consideration, I removed all stars from this review.
Update: 9/7/12! Another "fake" 5-star customer review has been posted on Amazon for this book. It states clearly: Its sitting at a 5-star rating for pre-orders and its completely fabricated. Unbelievable!
Note: when they removed the last "suspicious/fake" review, it lost alot of ground in its pre-orders. Since they put the new one on there, its been climbing. Just saying.
Update 7/28/12! The questionable "customer" review on Amazon has been removed.
Wow.
Here's what I'm referring to: Somehow, a short, very vague "customer" review had been miraculously posted with a glowing rating for the Crossfire series declaring, "Crossfire, better than 50 Shades!", or something like that which put it at a 5-star "customer rating" over the last several weeks during their pre-order bonanza. I have to admit it did look very pretty with all its shiny stars in the top lists in the Kindle Store on Amazon.
I commented to ask the "reviewer" how they were able to post a customer review for this book - no response (and I tried several times). The review/reviewer was not part of the Vine Program and I couldn't come up with any other explanation except that there was some collusion between Amazon and the dreaded publisher, Penguin, to post a manipulated 5-star review for the pre-order period.
Not saying that happened, but if no outsiders have been allowed to post one, how did it get posted?
Anyway, its gone now. Disappeared. Poof.
Original review:
Rant Warning!
As many of you know, I was crazy-bonkers for the first book in this series,
Bared to You, so I was allllllll excited when I saw this available for pre-order. But right away I tripped on the additional $3 over the cost of the original book and now it's gonna be $10. Ugh.
So, I decided that from now on perhaps my ratings will be based on the totality of my experience with that book. That being said, my first experience is that its gonna cost more and "I didn't like that". So its receiving a 1-star rating from me. Actually, it's more of a 1.5 but since there aren't half stars...)
When or if I actually receive the book, I'll add the reading experience to my overall rating. Any experiences with the author as a result of my review will also be added to my overall experience of the book and will be reflected in the rating. I am certainly not saying that I expect to have any of that occur, I am just saying that kind of thing can effect a rating. The truth is I'd probably gush in my review bc I loved the characters so much and fully expected to love this one too *sniff*.
Grrrr. Don't know why it grates me so much that Penguin (Can-Suck-It)'s e-book pricing and lending policies (actually "non-lending policies" would be more accurate as disabling the lending feature of e-books is de rigueur for them) are so unsavory, but it does. Big time. It feels wrong.
As far as I can tell, they are not e-reader friendly at all and I have decided in my own small way I'm gonna do something about it.
Maybe I should be grateful its not $12 or more for the e-book, which is more their norm for a popular author even if it's for a digital, non-paper, unbound book that indie authors are popping out with practically no overhead from $.99 cents to $3.99. Publishing houses are offering them for $7.99 max and that's for popular authors. I have to really like the author to spend even that extra bit for those books.
Get a clue, Penguin! It appears you're in a showdown with the e-reader readers of the world and that you assume to have the upper hand- so you're taking the stance that readers can like it or lump it. Okay then, I will lump it.
Seriously? A higher price point than a paperback? Why?
I can't think of any other answer beyond... opportunistic greed. This makes me want to support indie authors in a big way!
What else could possibly make the next book in this series $3 more expensive than the first one. Oh right, nothing.
Dear Ms. Day. Please consider becoming a self-pubbed author so we can get a better price for your lovely books and cut the big, fat, invisible overhead out of the process.
*sigh*
I have a bit of a temper today.
I loved Gideon and Ava.
I will not, however, bend to these publishing shenanigans. If I don't get my mitts on it at a reasonable price, I will wash my hands of them. -
2.5 stars
I loved Bared to You, so I was highly anticipating Reflected in You. There were things I loved about this story, unfortunately the things that frustrated me far outweighed those.
We pick up the Eva and Gideon’s intense story right where we left off in Bared to You. They’ve got past some of the Corinne drama, are seeing a therapist jointly due to their abusive pasts, and settled in for the long haul. Or so we think. From the get go we have possessive and controlling behavior on both sides. They both seem to thrive on it. Eva and Gideon are not confident in each other unless they’ve pushed the other one to make some over-the-top gesture to control, and consume one another. But let’s face it, we/I sort of love this, to a certain extent.
I can’t complain about 50% of the book because it was HOT and wonderful. Ms. Day really knows how to write some steam, and boy does she excel at getting you hot and bothered. And I’m not just talking about the spice. It’s the push and pull between Eva and Gideon and their overwhelming desire for one another. I have many delicious quotes and scenes highlighted in my Kindle that are sure to make anyone’s toes curl! Here’s a sample:
I found myself pinned to the hallway wall by six feet, two inches of hard, hot male. “You know what happens when you run, angel.” Gideon nipped my lower lip with his teeth and then soothed the sting with the caress of his tongue. “I catch you.”
I would’ve been fine with this situation had Gideon been more forthcoming. Didn’t we all finish Bared to You thinking we’re going to get answers about his past and behavior in this one? I know I did. Eva freely trusted and shared her past with him. I don’t know why he felt the need to hold back so much. Instead we get pages and pages of frustration, and behavior that infuriates with no explanation! Not even at the 80% mark were there answers! I was about to pull my hair out! Add to that is Corinne! Gideon knows what Corinne does to Eva:
Gideon: ”I thought I understood your feelings for Corinne, and, frankly, I thought you just weren’t dealing with it well. But I had no clue. I was a self-centered idiot.” Eva: ”I’m not dealing with it well. I hate her f&%king guts. I can’t think about her without feeling violent. “ Gideon: “I get it now. I didn’t before.”
He GETS it because Eva turns the table on him with jealousy and he gets a taste of his own medicine. But does this stop the Corinne issue? NO!!!!!!!!! All we get is: “Trust me Eva.” When all I wanted to do was SHANK him at this point! Okay, okay, I’ll calm down…..this is fiction after all. So basically I was frustrated for about 40-50% of this book. I can take 20-30% of frustration, I expect it. We must have some hurdle to overcome. But when the frustration and confusion are for almost half of the book, I start getting ticked. I feel like the author is jacking me around. If Eva was enlightened, given a little clue, a breadcrumb, just a little bit before we hit the the 94% mark, I would’ve been happy. We still didn’t even get the full story until almost the last pages!!! In my opinion, this was completely unnecessary! Yes, I know, I am seriously ranty and harpy in this review. Sorry. I finished this story last night and was totally worked up, and woke up even more worked up, and went through the day in a foul mood because I COULDN'T GET THIS STORY OUT OF MY HEAD! This review is the result of that aggravation, I had to vent somewhere. You are my collateral damage.
I will say, I’m dying for the next installment and probably will pick it up the day it comes out. Is that all kinds of crazy?Maybe……probably. Maybe this is a testament of what a great job Ms. Day did in writing this story. Or maybe she’s just an evil genius, and I’m like a moth to the flame.
Thank you to Penguin Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read this. -
I don't even know what to say ... speechless ... it was just FABULOUS! Fan-freaking-tabulous!!! I thought I loved Gideon in Bared To You, now I'm in serious love overdrive! Just brilliant ... I will forever be a Sylvia Day fan girl!!
-
This was one bit hot mess of Eva and Gideon going back and forth and playing mind games with each other. They wouldn't be upfront and honest, purposefully miscommunicated, and just didn't trust one another. I have to force myself to finish this book and am officially giving up on the series.
-
This book really put me through the wringer. It made me hot. It made me angry. And sad. Hopeful. Emotional. Confused. Frustrated. And I mentioned hot, right? After I finished the story, I jumped on Twitter in need of social-media therapy and someone asked me if I liked it. I found that question hard to answer, because it wasn't as simple as that. There were parts that were hard to like because they hurt. But I can say without hesitation that I was completely engrossed. I sat down, started reading, and didn't stop until it was over. I couldn't stop. I had to see how it would all play out.
So what happens? It seems like a lot and not very much at the same time. The book picks up the day after the events of Bared to You. Eva and Gideon are trying to make their obsessive relationship work, but they face all the same stumbling blocks: their individual histories of abuse, Gideon's secrets, his jealousy & possessiveness, and Eva's epic insecurities.
The sex is, simply put, amazing. It manages to hit just the right notes for me - dirty but not gratuitous; a little d/s without being BDSM; frequent without being repetitious. The fact that Sylvia Day does such a good job with this is incredibly important, since the sex is such a huge part of interaction between Gideon and Eva. The other part --the part that involves their hearts and minds-- is much messier.
It would be easy to say that Gideon is the screwed up one here. After all, he basically stalks Eva... tries to control every aspect of her life. He makes choices that hurt her. He doesn't communicate. But the thing is -- she takes it. She stays with him; she craves him; she welcomes his sexual overtures like an eager puppy whose master has been away for a week. All this, even as he wounds her with his behavior and his secrets. It was very hard to read at times, as each of them made destructive decisions and impetuous choices. With Eva's first person narrative, I hurt when she hurt. Yet even with insights into her thoughts and feelings, I just couldn't understand how she held on for so long. Even more confusing and disturbing, though, were Gideon's actions, especially in the second half.
I didn't like many of the things they did, but it was all in keeping with how damaged these two people are. They are at sea --and grasp at each other like life preservers. Even through all the dysfunction, though, I couldn't look away. I had to know where it would all lead.
I said at the beginning that a lot happens --and by that I mean, we finally learn what happened to Gideon in his youth. Something big happens with Cary. Something even bigger happens with a pivotal person from Eva's past. Oh yeah, and my heart broke. But I also said it seems like not very much happened at the same time. That's because despite all they go through, I don't know if Eva and Gideon end up in a much better place than they started.
The ending is a pretty big deal. I don't think I would call it a cliffhanger, but I think it's the beginning of the end of Eva and Gideon's journey. A journey I will no doubt, see through until the end.
Rating: B+
*ARC Provided by Penguin -
Well, this one will teach me not to doubt you, Sylvia Day!! Those slow and annoying bits in the first half are completely forgotten and forgiven, and I bow to your authorial splendor! Hold onto your hats, kids, 'cause this one is a bumpy, angsty, lusty, desperate ride. Sylvia Day broke out the magical writing pen for this one. Damn, woman, did you ever!
And, a personal plea from me to the Author Goddess: please, PLEASE write Brett Kline's story!! You pushed my 'hot rocker' button, now you must deliver;-)
5 Big-Ass, Happy Stars!!! -
Kitty Angel's review posted on
Guilty Pleasures
I was awed by Reflected in You. There is no way to put into words the impact Gideon and Eva had on me in this book. So many secrets, so many insecurities. But, in the end, so much love.
My emotions were all over while reading Reflected in You. I hated Gideon for how he was treating Eva and making her feel like he was using sex to make up for his short-comings. I hated Eva for being so dependent upon Gideon and not standing up to him. I loved Gideon for how he took care of Cary in his time of need. I loved Eva when she became Gideon’s champion and started figuring everything out. My heart broke for Eva as Corinne came back into the picture and I cried for Gideon when Brett tried to come back into Eva’s life. I was proud of Eva when she put it all on the line. I was even more proud of Gideon as he opened-up to Eva. But, most of all, I held my breath waiting to see how they would overcome everything that was thrown at them.
I will not do a synopsis of this book. We start to learn about some of Gideon’s past and more of Eva’s, that’s all that I will say. Too much happened and the only way to explain or even comment about it would be to give the whole story away. There is no way to explain the heartache or the amount of love that just tears you up inside. There is no way to be flippant about anything that happened in “Reflected in You”; the sex, the betrayals or the explanations.
The emotions in “Reflected in You” ran the gamut. Love, Hate, Distrust, Envy, Jealousy, Betrayal. And, you felt everyone of them just as they were happening. You had no idea why Gideon would tell Eva to “wait” when it seemed like all he wanted was to be with Corinne again. And, you had no idea why Eva would want to “wait” with the treatment she is getting from Gideon. But, it all becomes clear as all the pieces fall together. Ms. Day brought all of the pieces of the puzzle together and then shattered them again and she leaves the reader breathless, wanting and waiting for more.
I have read many emotional books but there are few that brought me to the point of being so awed and stunned that I wanted to cry but couldn’t. It’s still hard to wrap my head around everything. The way Ms. Day wove the story in “Reflected in You” was unbelievable. You felt everything that Eva felt; she made her a part of you; she made you feel like you were living her life, her dreams and her nightmares. She brought both Eva’s and Gideon’s pain to life and the love actually pulses right off of the pages.
“Entwined With You” will bring the end to the Crossfire Trilogy. What will she have in store for Gideon and Eva? How will they cross the bridges that need to be crossed to find their Happily-Ever-After? Will they finally face their demons together? Until that time, we will just have to settle for knowing that their love is all-consuming; addicting, and that they can and will face whatever comes their way. -
One of the best series sequels ever! Sylvia Day has outdone herself with Reflected in You. Best of the Best! In Reflected in You, Gideon Cross develops into a dangerously powerful and dark alpha male that takes us on an emotionally charged ride with Eva. Sylvia Day could have written Gideon as the popular generic cliche - the sexy, rich "Christian Grey" character with lots of power and kink, and we probably would have loved it, BUT SHE DIDN'T. Gideon Cross kicks Christian Grey's ass. He's so loving one minute, and disconnected and dark the next, that I couldn't predict what was coming up next. His controlling hot/cold behavior made me feel like Eva throughout the story: uncertain, hot, emotional, happy, worried, sad, full of angst and gutted. All I wanted was a little crumb from Gideon, something to make me believe in him again. The story just got better and better and by the time I read the last chapter, everything made perfect sense and I didn't want it to end.
Reflected in You is one of my top ten faves of 2012. Loved it! -
"I have a Gideon fetish" Yes it's TRUE....I do!! This was my second reading and he was just as yummy!!!
"Need your L♥VE.....Need you" Also TRUE!!!!
The story of Gideon and Eva's intensely passionate l♥ve affair continues in Reflected in You. These two deeply wounded souls work together against their demons looking for their happily ever after....
"He'd suffered brutality and violation, just as I had."
♥"How gorgeous are you."♥
"I l♥ved him insanely, needed him like I needed to breathe."
"I'd give anything to be sucking your cock right now." They are both extremely giving!!! Sexy times!!!
Gideon, for me, is the perfect alpha male, everything he says and everything he does is just simply delectable, delicious, amazing. xoxo Did I mention he is HOT, HOT, HOT!!! The way he uses his hands, his mouth, his body is just.....fabulously wonderful!!! (Sighing & swooooning & melting!!)
"...I treasure you, Eva, and what we have. Even our driving urge to fcuk each other constantly is precious to me, because it matters."
"He tongued me deep and fast, fcuking my mouth, making love to it. I drank him in, licking and tasting, moaning at his insatiable need."
Eva is one lucky lady, she just needs to realise it! And.....
"There's only you Eva." (sigh)
"You're all I want, Eva. There's no one else. There will never be anyone else." (sigh, again!!)
Trust and jealousy are an issue for Eva and Gideon, and it has the ugly potential to drive a wedge between them!!! They cannot bear to think of each other's past relationships, they are possessive which creates a powerful, scorching intensity between them. But... "Possessiveness without trust is hell."
Sometimes secrets can make trust a hard thing to achieve and, Mr Dark & Dangerous has secrets......Eva just needs to have faith in the lovely, gorgeous, loyal man that is Gideon Cross ♥ ♥ ♥
"You're kisses are mine"~Gideon
**BR with the Gideon loving, Pink ladies, Barb & Deanna ♥
**And of course there were lots of other ladies enjoying the fun with us ~ Thank you!!! ♥
