I first came across the Bared to You, the first instalment in Sylvia Day's Crossfire series in 2013 and I was hooked. Making myself comfortable, I ignored everyone around me and sunk into the story of Eva and Gideon, unable to put it down and when I got to the last page I wanted more. The chemistry between Evan and Gideon is intense and scorchingly hot. They are so messed up that I can't help but fear that they will destroy what the feel for each other.
“We don’t fight, angel. We just have to learn not to scare the hell out of each other.”“You make it sound so easy,” I grumbled. To call either of us virgins would be ridiculous, yet emotionally that’s just what we were. Fumbling in the dark and too eager, completely out of our depths and self-conscious, trying to impress and missing all the subtle nuances.
Eva compares their emotional status to virgins - they definitely have intense chemistry and the sex is off the charts, but emotionally they have a lot to deal with, baring their souls and sometimes hurting each other with actions and words. Yet they try their best to overcome obstacles, develop trust and make their relationship work.
The moment I completed Bared to You, I had to get the next two books that completed the series: Reflected in You and Entwined with You. I had to know if Gideon and Eva could make it considering their past and their emotional state of mind.
Reflected in You was just as gripping as the first book. This book delved deeper into the addiction they have for each other. The chemistry between them is of the charts. The sex between them was overwhelming - their need to connect and be one was through sex, outside of that, they struggled to function especially apart. They are overly addicted to each other, overly possessive, overly obsessed and overly controlling.
I’d kill for you, give up everything I own for you but I won’t give you up.
Eva's nightmare makes a re-appearance, and as a reader, I was taken on an emotional roller coaster ride. I couldn't help but feel for Eva when Gideon pulls away, but at the same time, what he does for her - the suppression of emotions, asking for blind faith, made me feel that he was still into her and that whatever was going on, he was trying to protect and keep Eva safe and he will do anything to make sure of that. However Eva's anguish and confusion over his actions comes across fairly strong.
The third instalment of the series, Entwined with You picks up from where Reflected in You ends. Eva knows what Gideon did for her and they resume their relationship after the distance Gideon enforced in Reflected in You. However, as much as they want everyone to know that they are a couple, their relationship is to be kept a secret from everyone and they do so successfully. Gideon seduces Eva to agree to getting married and they tie the knot in a secret ceremony. However, once they are back in the real world, they announce their 'engagement' and continue their dysfunctional relationship.
In this book, the women in Gideon's life (past and present) are out in force to cause a rift between the couple. From attempted suicides, to threats, to national exposure, there is a lot of drama in-between the bouts of intense and extremely hot sex! I must admit, I thought the ending was rather abrupt. Did they survive the external pressures? Did they become stronger as a couple? Did they start communicating with each other without fear of the other running away? Would they actually talk through their disagreements rather than jump each other's bones and try and control the situation?
As this book left me hanging, I turned to Google and found out that there was more to come. Only problem was that there was a bit of a wait - over a year! When I finally got myself the fourth book, Captivated by You, I read a couple of pages and couldn't go on. The story continues, where book three ended and I couldn't recall what the last scene was. As I read the first few pages, some of the story did come back to me, however, I felt that I was missing the connection. So, I shelved it and went back to the start - I re-read all three books in one weekend and got re-acquainted with the drama that is Eva and Gideon. I am now wondering if I should have waited till book 5 is released as I am bound to be in the same situation when that comes out!
Nevertheless, I read Captivated by You, that same weekend and the drama is still there, Gideon is still making decisions for Eva, not communicating, and not doing much of anything other than dominating her senses.
“I told you I was going to fuck this up. I’ll fuck up again. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but God… I love you. I love you so fucking much. I can’t do this without you. I can’t live without you.”
The sex is still hot; they are still trying to make their relationship work and are planning a future together. However, Gideon's past still haunts him, he is still can't sleep in the same bed as Eva and still makes decisions that he thinks is best for her without consulting her or telling her when it is a bit too late. One particular decision causes her to see red and they break up! The positive I got from this is that, Gideon is now ready to face his past in order to save his future! Not only that, the story ends with them talking through what they are feeling rather than jumping each other for another bout of extremely hot sex!
So, the Crossfire series, which I initially thought was three books, is now five and there is no date as to when the final book, One with You will be released. Hopefully, it will be soon as I would very much like to know how it ends and if they have the strength to take their love for each other and build a successful and healthy relationship.
