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Review

I LOOOOOOOOVE THIS BOOK!!!

I started it wanting to get swept away in an intense, emotional love story, and that’s exactly what I got. Yes, it’s similar to Fifty Shades, and the Crossfire books, but I love those, so I figure what’s wrong with adding one more to the pile of dominant, controlling and sexy-as-hell billionaires? It’s all good!

Having said that though, I’m glad I waited until I was in just the right mood to read it. Otherwise I probably would have been amongst those readers who wrote it off as too similar to other books out there.

James and Bianca’s story had me sucked in from the very first page. Their sizzling attraction to each other is evident from their first meeting, where Bianca is the flight attendant in the first class cabin where billionaire Executive James is seated. There is some intense eye fuckery between them, and James immediately begins his relentless pursuit. Promising her things beyond her comprehension, it doesn’t take James long to coax innocent Bianca into his world.

“I’m not into any of that stuff, so we are clearly not compatible.”
He ran a long finger down his own tie the way he had done to mine. “I’m not sure if that one was a lie or if you just don’t know how pleasurable ‘that stuff’ can be. Or how well suited you are to it. I can show you. I would love to show you. When I’m done with you, I’ll know your body better than you do, and you will be begging me for it. Every inch of your body is submitting to me, even as you’re turning me down. Can you honestly tell me that the thought of submitting to me in bed doesn’t make you wet?”

Yeah, he’s not exactly shy!!! But he is respectful and considerate, and he never pushes Bianca into something she’s not ready for. And when they do get together… HOT DAMN!!! There are some serious fireworks!!!

But behind the hot and steamy sex, and the developing romance between the two of them, they both have nastiness in their past. Bianca, in particular, is still dealing with a tragedy in her childhood that continues to haunt her. She is cynical and untrusting and doesn’t quite know how to deal when James comes crashing into her life.

“You scare me … But I’m irrevocably fucked up, so you excite me in equal measures.”

She acts unaffected and plays games with him. Convinced that he’s just using her, she keeps herself closed off from him, and is determined not to get too deeply involved, always looking for some sort of sign from him that shows that he’s going to leave her – therefore justifying her keeping him at arm’s length. It’s annoying, but understandable once you learn her backstory.

And can I just say – I freaking love James Cavendish!!!! He’s quite the contradiction! Hot and dirty, but also incredibly tender – being patient with Bianca while she comes to terms with all of the things he is introducing her to, and caring for her so beautifully. Yes, he is dominant and controlling, but he is always respectful of her and at times, is also quite vulnerable. Bianca’s behaviour drives him (and me) crazy, since he has no clue what the trigger will be that will make her want to run. And watching him trying to make her feel safe, and get her to open up to him was just gorgeous!

Their relationship is very intense from the beginning but, as I discussed with a friend, we all know that obsessive, controlling, instantly-in-love men may be creepy and weird in the real world, but in fiction land, they are the best… AND WE LOVE IT! There are dramas and fights, heaps of steaminess – which thankfully never overshadows the actual story – lots of tender and swoony moments, and an ending that has me clamouring to get my hands on the next book in the series.

Huge shout out to Stephan for being one of the most incredible best friends EVER! He is protective, supportive, funny, and the bond that he and Bianca have is amazing! I loved how they are there for each other, no matter what, no questions asked. They share each other’s lives, and I loved how he encourages Bianca to take a chance on James, and supports their relationship all the way. “Somebody is smitten with my Buttercup” Perfect!

With just the right mix of drama, emotion, swoon and sex appeal, I was completely swept away by this story, and am going straight on to book 2.

4.5 stars 🙂

The Up In The Air series

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