Sandy M’s review of Giving In (Surrender Trilogy, Book 2) by Maya Banks
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by Berkley 6 May 14
As much as I enjoyed the first book in this new trilogy by Maya Banks, I was immediately taken with Jensen and Kylie, knowing their relationship would be fraught with emotion and an intensity that would keep me reading into the wee hours. I got that and much more.
Kylie basically goes through life like an automaton, going to work, heading home alone, and doing it again day after day. The only variation is when she gets together with her best friends, but she very rarely shares anything of her life. Now that Dash, her boss, has taken on a partner to replace Kylie’s deceased brother – which is part of the reason for her monotone existence – Kylie gives him a wide berth as much as possible. The man is too dominant and demanding, something she can definitely do without because of the abuse in her past. But suddenly she’s seeing him differently when getting to know him a bit better when he makes it clear her talents are wasted as an administrative assistant.
For a dominant man like Jensen, being drawn to Kylie probably isn’t the ideal situation, but there’s not a thing he can do about it – he wants her and if giving up control in the bedroom is the way to have her, that’s exactly what he’ll do. And he does. This man steals your heart in every scene when it comes to making Kylie feel safe and protected, something she hasn’t truly had since her brother died. Both Jensen and Kylie have their demons, and eventually, once trust is established between them, they share their pasts as best they can. Not without consequences, however.
The scenes in which Jensen gives himself over to Kylie are full of emotion. Her feelings sway from one emotion to the other as fast as she can blink, always ending in fear when her past rears its ugly head. But the soothing understanding from Jensen gives her the peace she needs in each successive scene so that you see her confidence grow, her fear receding. Of course, things aren’t always that easy when it comes to such backgrounds as theirs, and when the unexpected happens, it’s Jensen who can’t continue when it comes to Kylie’s safety. Little does he know that’s exactly what Kylie needs to make that last jump into “normal,” at least as she sees it at that point in time.
We also get to catch up with Dash and Joss, the main characters from the first book, as well as Tate and Chessy who are featured in the last book, Taking It All, due out later this year in August. I’m quite intrigued with them and the disharmony that has been growing so far in the story arc. I really enjoy the friendship between these three gals – all women need their girlfriends – and they support one another unconditionally, as do their men. As an example, Dash and Jensen give advice when it comes to that disharmony, and it’s nice to see their concern.
I’m enjoying this trilogy quite a bit. Each book so far is different in sexual content, not the same ole same ole you get in most erotic novels. I’m hoping that continues in the last book for a Triple Crown run.
Grade: A
Summary:
Kylie sees the way Jensen looks at her. The dark promise in his eyes. That rough edge of dominance she knows he possesses. But dominance is the one thing that frightens her above all else. She and her brother barely survived a childhood steeped in violence and abuse. She could never give up total control and submit to a man. Especially a man like Jensen. Could she? Jensen sees the shadows in Kylie’s eyes. Knows he has to tread very carefully or risk losing any chance he has with her. All he wants is the opportunity to show her that dominance doesn’t equal pain, bondage or discipline. That emotional surrender is the most powerful of all, and that to submit—fully to him—will fulfill the aching void in her heart in a way nothing else ever will.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
