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Review

Oh Gideon, you just keep getting better and better!!!!!

I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews about this book, but I loved it! It’s got a very different feel to the first two books in the series, but I really enjoyed the change. I had reread Bared to You and Reflected in You before starting this one, so I was possibly on angst overload, which made me appreciated the more relaxed feel. Don’t get me wrong, things are still very intense between Gideon and Eva, but they very quickly settle into a semi-functional relationship, and I love the shift in the dynamic between them. They are honest, and they are actually communicating, with no more running off or wild theorizing whenever something goes wrong, and because of that, the two of them are a lot more relaxed around each other. They behave more like a normal couple (although they are still totally obsessed with each other and shagging at every opportunity), and they are definitely more playful – there is banter, teasing and lots of happy times between them. And it is sensational!!!

“Hurry up and call Cary. I’ll clean up dinner. Then we’ll suck face.”
“Fiend.”
“Sexpot.”

I loved seeing the humorous side of Gideon, which we haven’t really seen before. He’s always been a seriously, controlling Alpha, suffering terribly with his demons. He still is a seriously controlling Alpha with demons, but with a lot of his and Eva’s issues starting to be dealt with, and a stronger commitment between them, he is more laid-back, and it shows.

“Where are you?”
“At work.”
“Multi-tasking, I’m sure … What’s a little calming distraction for your girlfriend in the midst of world entertainment domination.”
“I’d stop the world from spinning for you.”
That silly line oddly touched me. “I love you.”
“Liked that one, did you?”

He’s also more open with his emotions – giving us some sensational swoon – and still totally obsessed with and in love with his girl.

“I look at you, angel, and I want you so badly. I want to be with you, listen to you, talk to you. I want to hear you laugh and hold you when you cry. I want to sit next to you, breathe the same air, share the same life. I want to wake up to you like this every day forever. I want you.”

*dreamy sigh*

Ava, too, has mostly overcome her trust issues, and is a lot more confident, both in herself, and with Gideon, and is more carefree, and able to joke and tease with Gideon.

“You and me on a deserted tropical island where you’d be perpetually naked and I could slide into you at any moment.
I set one hand on my hip and shot him a look. “Sunburned and bowlegged. Sexy.”

“I’m going out, remember?” I prodded. “And I’m going to drink too much, which makes me horny. Don’t forget to take your vitamins, ace.”

“Shut up, caveman. I’m not into that ‘me Cross, you Cross little woman’ bullshit”

And, of course, there is still the INCREDIBLE chemistry between them. OMG, there is SO much sex in this book! I’m surprised Eva isn’t constantly bowlegged! But it’s really freaking hot, and it reflects the connection between the two of them really beautifully.

Outside of their relationship, Gideon and Eva still have issues to face – ex lovers, family issues, a murder investigation, and a tenacious reporter with one helluva grudge, and still, the constant battle to overcome the traumas of their pasts. I loved watching them deal with all of it together, and while a lot of these threads have been left undone, I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s all wrapped up in future books. Oh, and shout out to Eva’s Dad!! Victor Reyes is awesome, and some of his moments with Eva had me tearing up, they were so gorgeous!

It seems that there is a lot of complaint about the fact that Sylvia Day is stretching this series out to five books instead of three, and people feel that not a lot happens in this book. It’s true, it’s definitely not as action-packed as the previous books, but honestly, I enjoyed the slower pace and the lack of angst! I felt like Gideon and Eva (and me!) needed it after the intensity of all they have been through. This book is like a ‘settling down’ phase for them, while the crazy continues to circle around them – creating a sort of ‘us against the world’ vibe. And if it means we get to see Gideon and Eva happy and functional together, I’m definitely all for that!!

I loved it! It was an easy, pretty much angst free, read with a few surprises along the way, and had me alternately swooning, fanning myself and grinning like an idiot!

4.5 stars.

 

The Crossfire series