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Review
4.5 unexpected stars.
Wow! Not your conventional romance, but I wanted something gritty with a bit of angst, and I certainly got it. But this book also took me by surprise. I didn’t expect all of the feels, and I certainly didn’t expect it to be such a beautiful love story! WIN!
Here is the set up – Gray is 27, and a ballet dancer. She is so dedicated to her career that she has ignored most other aspects of her life, and is currently enjoying a sexual awakening courtesy of her boyfriend of four months, Ian. When Ian introduces Gray to his best friend, Jasper, he is a little bit terrifying – big, rough, and scarily blunt and direct, but things are easy between them, and they quickly become friends, although there is definitely an attraction there from the very beginning.
And then Ian utters the four little words that will change their lives forever.
“You wanna try her?”
Ian and Jasper have shared women in the past, and enjoyed the experience, and it works for commitment-phobe Jasper, who is not interested in a relationship. And even though Gray is not his usual type, there is something about her that appeals to him and he’s willing to do whatever he can to get his hands on her.
Gray is initially appalled by the idea, but her attraction to Jasper makes her curious, and her desire to be free and try new things pushes her the rest of the way.
“I want to do something I’m not supposed to do. I want to want something I’m not supposed to want. I want to make the mistake I’m not supposed to make.”
And so it’s all on! But this time it’s different for the boys as for the first time, Ian puts rules in place which limit Jasper’s interactions with Gray while they’re in the bedroom. And with the chemistry already simmering away between Gray and Jas, Ian’s rules turn an already intense sexual experience into something exquisite yet torturous, and it makes them both desperate, unable to get enough of each other, and Ian’s rules are getting in the way of that.
“I can’t get enough of you. Every glimpse of you makes me want another. Every touch makes me crave more. Every taste makes me hungry.”
This book is So. Freaking. Smutty! OMG, the sex (and all associated touching… and not touching) is off the charts hot. It’s explicit, it’s dirty, and there’s lots of it! There’s also a lot of dirty talk. Both Ian and Jasper are upfront about all things sex, so abandon all prudishness before you open this book!
But it’s not all about the sex, there’s so much more to it, and I loved the development of the relationship between Gray and Jas. There is a genuine friendship there, they hang out, they talk, they are there for each other and give each other so much, and the sexual tension builds so brilliantly that when they finally cave in to the inevitable, I was bouncing up and down in my chair with the excitement of it all.
“You think things are complicated now?” He asked gently, studying her so intently. “It’s going to get a whole lot worse after this.”
I do want to point out that this book is not really a love triangle. While the set up is there, one part of the triangle is an asshole of epic proportions, so you know he doesn’t even factor into the equation – he even gives them permission to “play” without him. Ugh! It’s glaringly obvious from the very beginning where the story is going, so it’s just a matter of watching Gray and Jas find their way to each other until Ian is inevitably and blessedly extricated from the situation.
That’s not to say there’s no angst, because it’s definitely there! Gray and Jas are unable to deny what they feel for each other, but there is no easy way forward.
Firstly, are my issues with Gray. Ian is one of the biggest assholes I have ever read and frankly, I was kinda disgusted with Gray for being with him. Even before the Jas thing becomes an issue, he disrespects her and treats her badly, and I just don’t understand why she was with him. Although, fair play to her, she does have a lot going on in her life, and to my great relief, she definitely redeems herself. I was eventually so proud of her for taking a stand, acting on her feelings and being brave enough to put herself out there.
And then poor Jas has his own stuff to deal with. The man is incredible, but he has never actually been in a relationship and he initially isn’t prepared to go diving into one. He has issues stemming from his childhood that have kept him closed off to love, and Gray shakes his life up like nobody ever has before. He is tormented by his past and for what he feels for her and while he knows that she deserves better than Ian, he also doesn’t feel worthy of her. My heart broke for him, and seeing him hit rock bottom was devastating, but he found the strength to fight back. He knew what he wanted, and he claimed it, and it was pretty freaking sensational.
“She taught me that I deserved her. And in return, I took her away from the man who didn’t.”
I loved this book. It’s raw and gritty, but with lots of heart and an absolutely gorgeous love story. I was hooked from the very beginning and loved watching Gray and Jas find their way to each other – even with all of the angst.
4.5 stars.