Sandy M’s review of Fever (Breathless Trilogy, Book 2) by Maya Banks
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by Berkley Trade 2 Apr 13
Fever is the perfect word for the title of this book. From the beginning, when Jace spies Bethany at his sister’s engagement party, there is a feverishness to his want of her, his need of her, his care of her, his possession of her, his control of her, even his love for her that eventually knocks him off his axis. Jace has a lot of emotions and out-of-character situations to overcome in this journey, and I love him all the more for choosing and sticking by Bethany.
Everything is now good again between these three best friends, Jace, Gabe, and Ash, after Gabe makes a play for and wins Jace’s younger sister. They’re all celebrating the couple’s engagement at one of the friends’ hotels when a delicate, beautiful woman catches his eye. She’s part of the wait staff, someone perhaps he can Ash can hook up with after the festivities. But the closer it comes to that, Jace isn’t sure he wants Ash involved, no matter how many women they’ve shared over the years.
Bethany is glad to have this job, money in her pocket that will last a few days at least. Now if only she had a warm place to sleep, a decent meal, and can make sure Jack is okay, this day won’t end half bad. What she never expected is to be propositioned by two of the most handsome men she’s ever seen. Placing her own conditions on their proposal, Bethany agrees to meet them after her shift has ended.
Thus begins the night that will affect the lives of these three characters for the rest of the book. Jace is taken with Bethany, as with no other woman in his life. When he discovers she’s homeless, learns her past, he want’s nothing more than to take care of her every need. In the bedroom and out. He’s a master at control, and he’s determined to make Bethany his at all costs. Bethany, after getting over a good part of her amazement that Jace would want a woman like her, is happy to let him have control. To not have to worry about where the next meal is coming from, to find a place to sleep for the night, and any of a number of everyday issues on the streets is a blessing for her. She’s never had that.
But after being in Jace’s bed and tasting his possession and control, Bethany isn’t sure this is the place for her, although it feels right to be where she is. What happens when Jace decides he’s had enough of her? Will she be able to go back to her previous life? His lovemaking is off the charts, he gives her pleasure at every turn. All the more reason to really think about it all. Jace, however, isn’t about to let her go. Even when things don’t go that well between them over certain issues and Bethany’s instinct is to run, he about loses his mind when he doesn’t know where she is.
Then there’s Ash. He’s now the odd man out, no woman of his own. In the meantime, he has to deal with Jace’s jealousy over the night the three of them spent together, even though Jace didn’t object at the time. Dealing with his selfish family is also on his plate. And trying to make the awkward embarrassment between him and Bethany not so awkwardly embarrassing only makes Jace spitting mad. The poor man gets dumped on with every helpful thought and action he tries to give his best friend. I so can’t wait for his book, which is titled Burn. I can’t even imagine what Ms. Banks will put me through in that book.
I had the best time when Bethany goes with Mia, Jace’s sister and Gabe’s fiancee, and her friends for a girls’ night out. After drinking and dancing all night and chatting about sex with their men, I haven’t laughed so hard when reading for such a long time. I never imagined all the fun to be had with a woman wanting to be fucked in her heels, and with a man glad to do just that. I love this side of Jace, and I’m glad he’ll finally find more of that side much more often, after talking things out with Bethany when it’s called for. I love it when characters talk instead of taking a misunderstanding and running with it.
While I usually don’t go for heroes who are as much of a control freak as Jace is, most authors just seem to be writing those characters for the heck of it, it works here with Bethany having every reason to give up the control of her life. That doesn’t mean Jace can’t let her take the reins once in a while. Those are wonderful scenes when he’s delighted at her spontaneity in the bedroom. Of course, there has to be a stumbling block for our couple to make it to complete happiness too soon. For Jace and Bethany that’s Jack, her brother – only because of what they’ve been through together since being in foster care. He can’t seem to do anything right when it comes to Bethany anymore, and Jace is ready to kill the man with his bare hands, even though he understands family not of your blood better than anyone.
Three alpha men brought to their knees by the love of three women who command them. All of these characters are going to be very hard to forget for a long time.
Grade: A
Summary:
Jace, Ash, and Gabe: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Jace, it’s a woman whose allure takes him completely by surprise…
Jace Crestwell, Ash McIntyre, and Gabe Hamilton have been best friends and successful business partners for years. They’re powerful, they’re imposing, they’re irresistibly sexy, and Jace and Ash share everything—including their women.
When they meet Bethany, Jace begins to feel things he’s never experienced before: jealousy, and a powerful obsession that threatens him, overwhelms him—and excites him beyond control.
Jace isn’t sharing Bethany—with anyone. He’s determined to be the only man in her life, and it’s jeopardizing a lifelong friendship with Ash. Bethany will be his and his alone. Even if it means turning his back on his best friend.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
