Written By: Sylvia Day
This Billionaire, Work Place Romance series is the first series I would suggest for Fifty Shades Fans. This series has it all and quickly became one of my favorites when I first read the series. Keep reading for the synopsis, series breakdown, comparison to fifty shades, and my review.
Billionaire - Workplace - Love After Abuse - Erotica - BDSM - Curvy Heroine - Possessive Hero
Synopsis of Bared to You
The series follows the quick progression of Eva and Gideon. The two meet on Eva's first day at the Crossfire building as a secretary. Eva later finds that Gideon owns the building (and a lot of New York City it seems). In an elevator encounter, Gideon offends Eva by saying he wanted to fuck her. He is determined to sleep with Eva, but he does not date. So he proposes a friend-with-benefits relationship to which Eva is not opposed.
Eventually, they sleep together but it is obvious to both of them that there is more there than friends with benefits. Though the two have an obvious pull toward one another there is possession and jealousy. but the secrets one holds often tear you away from the ones you hold closest to you. So Eva and Gideon have to Ask themselves if they should hold each other or the secrets.
What Books Are In The Crossfire Series?
There are times I appreciate a series stopping after the main series and this was one of them. Did I still have questions, yes but that is the fun of it. If every question is answered, where would that leave a reader? Lackluster. I am still thinking about the book a week after reading and isn't that what an author wants?
The series includes 5 books:
- Bared To You
- Reflected In You
- Entertained In You
- Captivated By You
- One With You
Thoughts on The Crossfire Series
Crossfire vs Fifty Shades of Grey
Who Has Good Writing?
I read Fifty Shades of Grey before I read this series, and I am glad I did. Although Fifty has a good plot the writing was poor. But in comparison, the Crossfire Series has good writing and a good plot in some books. Both books had the similarity that sex was always on the mind.
One In The Same Fan
But after reading Fifty, I looked up "books to read if you liked Fifty Shades of Grey". I looked at multiple lists and they all had this series at the top. So I gave the series a try and I could see how a Fifty fan and a Crossfire fan could be one and the same.
Christian vs Gideon
The need to better yourself and your struggles in order to keep the one you care about most in the world are similar. And we love a possessive, protective boyfriend that will give you the world; and both Christian and Gideon aim to do that for their partners. Gideon at times could come across as controlling, but it felt like he was doing it out of love. I did not get the same feeling when Christian tried to be controlling.
Heart Attacks
(DISLIKES)
The Downside of Eva's Character
In the first couple of books of the series, I found Eva, needy and catty. When she became jealous, she would throw a fit and storm out (and it seemed often). Eva repeatedly demanding Gideon's need to share was sometimes hostile and toxic. It would not have been toxic if Gideon had not told her repeatedly, he was not ready to share. Eva threatening to leave him if he did not share was unneeded and added to the toxicity.
Eat Your Heart Out
(LIKES)
Eva and Gideon's Love
After reading "Fifty Shades of Grey", I found it refreshing to read about a man showing emotion toward his partner (other than anger). The connection and the love between Eva and Gideon were jumping off the pages and I just wanted more. I enjoyed the bond they shared through their common struggles, it made the characters understand what the other was going through, and thus the connection was stronger for that.
Just The Right Amount of Side Characters
There were not too many side characters, ensuring that the focus was on the couple. But I enjoyed the dynamic between Eva and her best friend and the other side characters.
Um... What About The Sex?
Sex Scene Writing Techniques
I wanted to end this review by saying that Sylvia Day's description of intimacy in the sex scenes was hot and well-written. Though there were quite a few adjectives within these scenes, I did not mind because I was too engaged in the scene to care. I was immersed in the heat radiating within those four walls; you could feel it with every scene.
Crossfire Turned Me On
The scenes definitely turned me on and would describe these as some of the hottest scenes I have read thus far. I also enjoyed the variety brought to the scenes. I was not reading a missionary pose with every scene, it felt like each scene dipped its toe into a different "fetish" or position.
Overall... Reread the Book 2 More Times