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Review

4 stars

This is the fourth book in the Quantum series, and could probably be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading it in order to fully appreciate the characters and their relationships. While the first three books focussed on one couple – Flynn and Natalie – this book brings us the story Flynn’s Director and best friend, Hayden, and his dedicated Assistant, Addison (Addie), and OMG, it’s a fantastic love story! Functional yet still slightly angsty, it’s the story of two people who are desperately in love (and HIGHLY sexed), who want to be together but live very different lives. It’s about discovering who they are, what they want, and finding that common ground, and I loved it!

At the end of the last book, it was Oscar night and in his moment of triumph, Hayden grabbed Addie for a celebratory kiss that was seen around the world. It was an unexpected kiss, but one that meant so much as it was the first time either of them had shown any sign of the attraction that they have had for each other for a long time, but had never acted on. It’s also the kiss that changes everything because afterwards, there is no more hiding for either of them.

“I didn’t want it until I had it, and now it’s all I want. She is all I want.”

The chemistry between these two is sizzling! Their physical attraction is intense, and there is lots and lots of hot and steamy sexy time, but more than that, they have a deeper connection. They love each other, and they know it without a doubt, but while Addie is thrilled that Hayden finally seems to be returning her feelings, he is holding back from her, and he won’t tell her why.

Hayden has a secret – he is a sexual Dominant, and is heavily into kink (though nothing too terrifying), and he doesn’t want to expose her to that. He craves control but knows that she isn’t submissive, and he believes that there’s no way a relationship between them can work. So there is quite a bit of back and forth, with Hayden pushing Addie away only to be stripping her naked again at the next available opportunity; but you can see that underneath it all the two of them are trying desperately to make it work, so it didn’t become too annoying. We see Hayden’s confusion as he is torn between his love for Addie and the needs of what he considers to be his darker side. He wants to protect her from being hurt, and it’s easy to see that he genuinely has her wellbeing at the forefront of his mind. And deep down, he’s afraid that letting her into his world, and allowing her to see his darkest desires will change her feelings for him.

I love her, I want her, I need her.
I can’t have her.

But there is so much more to Addie than he ever knew. She is an absolute spitfire! She loves Hayden fiercely, and she goes after her man with single-minded determination, not allowing him to push her away. When she learns his secret, she is shocked, but she takes it in her stride and is open to idea of exploring it with him – and she does it without coming across as a doormat, WIN! She is strong and confident, she knows what she wants, and she fights for it. And when Hayden refuses to include her in his world, she takes it upon herself to research the lifestyle, learning the physical and emotional aspects of and what would be expected of her. I love her tenacity, and how she doesn’t let Hayden walk all over her. She’s a great heroine who doesn’t hold anything back, and I liked her a lot.

“You’re the only one I want. You’re the only one I’ve ever felt this way about, and I’ll never feel this way about anyone but you.”

If you’re concerned about the BDSM, don’t be. Yes, there’s a heavy emphasis on the lifestyle, but I thought it was addressed and explained sensibly and respectfully, without sensationalising it. It’s definitely something that the characters explore, but it’s in the bedroom only and most of the sex in the book takes place before they enter into that sort of relationship and it’s actually pretty tame – hard and rough and very descriptive (Hayden seems to have supernatural stamina!), but definitely vanilla. There are a few Dom/sub scenes, and some kink (some featuring Hayden and Addie, and other stuff that Addie sees while she’s exploring), but even those are fairly tame compared to other books that I have read, and I thought it was handled really well.

But the focus is definitely on the romance, and this is such a gorgeous love story. Hayden and Addie are both so sure about their feelings, open about the fact that they want each other badly, and desperate to be together, but unable to get on the same page about how, or whether, it can actually happen. The feelings are intense and the sex is off the charts hot, and I really enjoyed their journey as they discover what they truly want and find a way forward together.

“I never should have doubted that you were exactly what I want and need. I should have trusted my heart because it kept leading me to you.”

The rest of the Quantum group are all a part of the story – especially Flynn and Natalie – and I loved getting the chance to catch up with them, as well as get a hint at possible future books… please!!

I really enjoyed this book. Hayden and Addie’s love story is beautifully written – engaging and exciting with a great mix of drama, romance, sex, and some funny lighter moments. I listened to it as an audiobook and loved the dual narration, and I thought the narrators did a great job at telling this bringing these characters to life.

A great read – 4 stars.