Sandy M’s review of Reflected in You (Crossfire, Book 2) by Sylvia Day
Contemporary Erotic Romance ebook published by Berkley 2 Oct 12

Gideon and Eva are back! I know a lot of us have waited so very impatiently to read more of this uniquely addictive couple. I sure have. And I’m glad Sylvia Day never gives us the usual in her books. Love of these two characters will keep us going, and they need that love in big heaping measurement, because despite the all-consuming need Gideon and Eva have for one another, all is not well in the Crossfire world.

Of course, all hasn’t been well in the Crossfire world since the beginning when these two first get together in Bared to You. You should definitely read that book first. A lot of groundwork is given there and you’ll need it to survive right along with Gideon and Eva. Both of these characters are quite damaged by events in their pasts – Eva’s we know fully and Gideon’s we’re still learning little by little as he opens up when Eva insists. She’s tired of secrets, as well his calling the shots in her life. When Gideon goes too far in his possessiveness, Eva retaliates to show him how it feels. He seems to get the point here and there, but he can’t help himself when it comes to Eva. He has to have her near, he has to make sure she’s safe, he has to keep other men away from her, and so many other similar things running around in his mind.

Their relationship is so dysfunctional that even their therapist believes they’d be better off apart, especially when their nightmares get out of control and hurt the other, but that’s non-negotiable for them. Trust is a huge issue for them. Eva doesn’t trust Gideon when old flames are near. She feels Gideon doesn’t trust her enough to share his past or his current secrets with her. She does try to understand his point of view when it comes to that subject, but her need for trust always overrides any logic in that area. They both have jealousy issues, and Gideon strikes out when an old love of Eva’s suddenly reappears. All of this, and so much more, causes a break in the relationship, Eva needing to move on and stop her spiraling downward, a place she doesn’t wish to revisit. Gideon asks her to trust him, to wait, but for what, she doesn’t know. And, believe me, when you find out, suffice it to say it’s an ending you won’t soon forget.

I also like Eva’s roommate, Cary, and his troubled life continues to plague him just as Gideon’s and Eva’s plague them. He intentionally sabotages any good that comes into his life, especially when it comes to the latest man interested in him, Trey. He’s great at doling out advice to Eva concerning Gideon, but he can’t seem to apply any of that advice to himself. I like the man and I hope he’s headed toward a HEA along with Gideon and Eva. That is if they do get one. It’s hard to tell.

Their relationship is so very unhealthy, but you want them together just as much as they want to be. Your emotions swing from one end of the spectrum to the other, even more so than the first book because this one is definitely darker. At points even the sex is darker, but it’s some of the most explosive and heartfelt I’ve ever read. Both of these characters need that physical connection with the other. It’s almost like breathing for them. All of their problems may not be solved through such physicality, but I think as long as they have some connection, however slim it may be, there’s hope for Gideon and Eva.

I have faith in Sylvia Day. Gideon and Eva may have a long way to go for survival in this relationship of theirs, and in the hands of any other author I might have doubts they’ll ever get there. She keeps putting roadblocks in their way – so much so I find myself saying, “Will these two ever get a break?” just as I do when reading about Gabaldon’s Jamie and Claire – but that will make their final triumph all that much sweeter when it comes. I won’t say more, you have to read this book for yourself, if you haven’t already. It’s not to be missed.

December can’t get here fast enough for me. And that’s not for Christmas!

Grade: A+

Summary:

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…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Entwined with You – December 2012