Kindle And Me...: Bared to You (Crossfire #1) by Sylvia Day

27 May 2012

Bared to You (Crossfire #1) by Sylvia Day.
Audience/Genre : Adult/Romance.
Publication : May 24th, 2012 by Penguin Group (USA).

Our journey began in fire...

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

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

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

3.5 Stars

I've read Fifty Shades of Grey and while I understand what the appeal is - hot, sexy, broody billionaire with issues, who isn't attracted to that? - I'm don't belong to the group that loved the trilogy. I did like bits and pieces of those books but over all, the writing wasn't good enough to make me go gaga over it.

So, when I requested a review copy of Bared To You, I kept in mind that while my friends didn't find it as good as E.L. James' novels, we differed on our opinions about that trilogy.

I was right.

Having read this book, I have to say, I have no idea how on earth these two books are similar except for the rich and troubled bachelor part. To begin with, Bared To You was a million times better. Seriously. This book is for people like me, who liked the plot and the characters of 50 Shades but were disappointed with the writing.

Sylvia Day definitely has a way with words. Bared To You is wonderfully written, the words were descriptive and yet managed to be tasteful/classy most of the time. Going in, I really didn't expect to find so many quote-worthy lines.

Eva and Gideon are both deep characters with their own messed-up past to get over. I loved that Eva wasn't naive or easy, she had her pride and wasn't going to give in easily, no matter how rich, hot or mysterious the guy was. The Crossfire Series is not just about the dirty deed, it's got an actual story and romance that bring together two unlikely characters, despite their backgrounds and I loved that.
Sylvia Day mostly kept away from the cliché that followed the success of Fifty Shades and honestly, it was refreshing.

They weren't the only characters that mattered though. The author has not only focused on the protagonists but also the supporting characters. I liked Cary and the relationship he shared with Eva. I loved knowing about Eva's family and her life. They contributed to the the story and increased my involvement/attachment with the characters.

Bared To You is unique and sexy all on its own. Sure, it's a book that'll appeal to the same audience as Fifty Shades but this one speaks for itself. You know how in some of the books, when you're reading about the main characters their chemistry just jumps out right at you? Well, Bared To You gives you that feeling. Eva and Gideon's chemistry/romance was intense, passionate and addictive, it's the kind where you can't get enough and you desperately keep rooting for them to get their happy ending.