Bared to You by Sylvia Day

Oh man, where do I start with this book. Bared To You by Sylvia Day was such a roller coaster of a ride for me! There was pain, passion, trust issues, and just overall possessiveness from both sides. Eva and Gideon are both tortured people. They're both messed up in a dysfunctional relationship that almost seems like it wouldn't be able to work out. How can their relationship take any step further... when they both have secrets that will eventually tear them apart?

Honestly, when I first picked up this book up, I didn't have much expectations for it. I thought that it was just like any other erotica novel that I would read to pass the time with. But sadly, I was mistaken. It literally blew my mind and after finishing it, I wasn't able to stop thinking about it! This book was just so sad and bittersweet for me-- so much that I can't help but really like it. Plus, the steam factor was a bonus as well! From the very beginning when Eva met Gideon, you could literally feel the sexual tension between those two. It was attraction at first sight and sparks were flying everywhere! I do have to admit that I wanted to slap Gideon a few times because of his proposal to Eva in the beginning. Glad that she stood up for herself and declined his offer, hah!

As for their relationship as a whole, did I already mentioned that it was pretty messed up? You have to understand that these two have had some pretty horrible events that happened in their past. It was pretty sad, to be honest. I didn't like how Eva would always run away whenever she would find out certain things about Gideon. They literally have an on/off type of relationship-- in which, I don't think, is healthy at all! Eva is very insecure about herself, which makes the entire thing even worse. I guess that's why this book lost a star for me. It's because of Eva's wariness and Gideon's lack of awareness that made me want to bang my head against a wall several times. There were just so many misunderstandings!!! Thankfully, the ending ended up with a hopeful note that made me can't wait to read the sequel, Deeper in You.

Overall, Bared to You is an intense novel full of hardships, heartbreak, overcoming obstacles, trust, and most of all... trying to find love in a relationship that may seem hopeless. I truly and wholeheartedly was amazed by this book. Even though Gideon came off as a creeper at times because he was sort of "stalking" Eva (just like how her mom was ). I liked how Eva wasn't afraid to ask him to stop and stand up for what she believed in. Girl, I'm glad that you have a backbone! Don't let that man control you. Anyway, great book and I definitely can't wait to read more from this series!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edited 6/15/12: I would also point out that I have never read Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, so I wouldn't know all of the similarities that this book has with it. All I know is that even though Bared to You may seem like Fifty Shades of Grey and the premise is somewhat alike, it's actually quite different. There are significant differences in the book and honestly? I feel like it's more heartfelt compared to what I have skimmed when I looked through FSoG. Choppy sentence structures and metaphors that don't make any sense aren't my thing.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Undone by Her Tender Touch by Maya Banks

Let me just start out by saying that I have been a fan of the Pregnancy & Passion series ever since I've read Enticed by His Forgotten Lover. The last installment however? Not so much. I was really looking forward to Cam and Pippa's story... only to be sadly disappointed. Cam had always intrigued me ever since the beginning. He was such a pessimestic guy! What happened to him?! I had expected to be "dazzled" by him and be able to empathize with his character. Sadly, I did not. As for Pippa... Wow. I wanted to strangle her at times! The author writes her off as this independent, strong, and fierce woman but all I can see is someone who is way too dependent on her friends, rash, and has a temper problem. I could not connect with her character at all. I tried to like Pippa, don't get me wrong, but I stimply could not. Cam was just too wishy-washy and Pippa demanded so much from him when he told her from the very beginning that he did not do relationships. She wants a relationship while Cam wants no strings attached. What will become of them now?

Out of all the problems that I had expected Cam to have, it was definitely not this one. We all knew that from the very beginning, Cam was the one who often frowned upon his friend's relationships with their women. Apparently the reason why is because he had lost his wife and son to some unknown reason all those years ago. I'm not even sure if he ends up telling Pippa what exactly happened. Maybe. But I'm still confused.

Well anyway, Cam has been interested in Ashley's friend, Pippa, for quite some time. Ever since he met her at one of Devon and Ashley's housewarming parties, it's been attraction at first sight. Pippa has also been noticing Cam as well and these two hit off with sparks flying between them. They end up having a one night stand... and things take a turn. Ah, the usual type of scenario right? While reading this book, I ended up being so frustrated with these two that I'm not sure I wanted to continue. Halfway through the book, I still feel no sympathy whatsoever for Cam and Pippa. Pippa annoys me to no end because even though she comes off as this fearless woman who's not afraid of a fight, she's so weak when it comes to Cam. Oh, and don't get my started with Cam. After finding out that Pippa was going to have a son, he starts acting all jerk-like and cold towards her. As for the reason why, it's because he feels that by having a son with Pippa, it would be like replacing the memory of the son that he had lost with his first wife. Talk about a guy who needs to move on!

Overall, Undone by Her Tender Touch did not exactly leave me satisfied. But I'm truly happy that each and every one of the guys had their happy ever after.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for granting me access to read this book!

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman is a story about adventure. It's a story about finding self-worth and an unexpected love in a world where humans and dragons do not get along. Within that world lies our heroine, Seraphina Dombegh, who is both human and dragon. She lives in a world where humans and dragons are at peace with one another... but there is tension in the air when one of the family members of the royal court is found dead. I absolutely love Seraphina and the world that she is bound in! She is fierce, loyal, and extremely intelligent. Rachel Hartman stuns readers with her sightful imagination and world building! If you're familiar with epic fantasy books with dragons in it, you should definitely check this book out. I was fortunate enough to read this book months before it was released. Fans of this genre should not miss out the opportunity to read it once it releases this upcoming July! This is definitely a keeper for me!

One of my favorite aspect about this book was the mystery behind the murder of Prince Rufus and the blossoming romance between Seraphina and Prince Lucian Kiggs. I mean, how adorable can they be? And by that, VERY. Here's a scene that I absolutely found cute between them!

"Have you read Belondweg?"
"I couldn't call myself much of a scholar if I hadn't," he said.
He was so adorable and he made me smiled, but I couldn't let him see.

And can I just say how much I loved it when Kiggs slips and calls her Phina instead of Seraphina? I'm such a sap. Anyway, the mystery beind Prince Rufus' death was the main star of the book. Someone was trying the break the peace treaty between the humans and the dragons by killing the royals! And Seraphina plans to find out who.

In the end, I loved this book and the characters in it. Few of my favorites would be Orma, Seraphina's uncle and music teacher, and Princess Glisselda, Prince Lucian Kigg's fiancee. I know, shocker right? How can Seraphina and Kiggs be together now?! You'll just have to read and find out! The ending was rather bittersweet... but very hopeful at the same time. I guess it will lead us right into the sequel! It can't be the end already, can it? We'll see about that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for giving me permission to read this ARC!

Rating: ★★★★★

Romancing the Countess by Ashley March

This review for Romancing the Countess has been long overdue!

I've always had a thing for romance novels where the hero and heroine get a second chance at love. Leah and Sebastian were never supposed to be for one another... but fate tells an entirely different story. Romancing the Countess was definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It had all the elements that I look for in a romance novel and so much more! If you love this kind of genre, then I urge you to read this wonderful book. With a strong and witty heroine and a dark, brooding, and yet a loveable one at the same time to boot, it is sure to be a winner!

The most heartbreaking aspect about this book was the fact that Sebastian and Leah had spouses that were committing adultery with one another. I mean really, how can you live with yourself? Well... they didn't. I felt for both Sebastian and Leah because little did they know that his wife and her husband were doing "things" with one another. Ugh! Anyway, with the pain still fresh and also old as well, will these two ever be able to find and fall in love again?

Ooh, I love this book! Leah and Sebastian's love story was truly a slow transition from "enemies" to lovers. After her husband's death, Leah didn't want to stay as she was anymore. She wanted to change. And well, Sebastian wasn't exactly too happy about that. You see, Leah's husband happens to be Sebastian's best friend. She actually knew about the affair... but she never said anything. Pride is something after all. But personally? I really think she should have confronted those two instead of letting it go on for so long. Sebastian didn't want the affair to get out in public and cause scandal for his son, Henry. So as a result, he must stop Leah from being herself!

I admit, I did not get why Sebastian was so intent on stopping Leah from finding her true self. But eventually, I believe that Sebastian began to see the light! After that, we started little signs from him that show us how his view of Leah is slowly changing him. He starts noticing her lips at first... and then her real personality! Sebastian ends up falling for Leah, and I mean really fall, by the end of the book. Although towards the middle of the book, Sebastian claimed that he only desired her body... and we all know that that's not love! Leah still has trusting issues, so how exactly is this romance going to work now? Read the book and find out! *wink*

Rating: ★★★★★

Always a Temptress by Eileen Dreyer

When I first started reading Always a Temptress, I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about it. Just that I was really angry at both Kate and Harry. Especially Harry! Just because Kate apparently "betrayed" him when they were younger, he finds fault in her at everything she does. It's the usual misunderstanding where Kate believes that Harry betrayed her and he believes that she betrayed him. But the most surprising aspect of this book in the beginning was of Kate's dark secret... about her marriage to the Duke of Murther. Previously in Never a Gentleman, we knew the relationship between Kate and Harry was a special one. They hated each other, but why?

Ten years ago, Kate and Harry were the best of friends. Well, they were actually more than friends. They were both in love with one another. But because of their social status: Kate, a Duke's daughter, and Harry, the second son of a squire, Harry believed that his dream of marrying her was too high of a dream. Apparently right after, his love for Kate ended due to some unknown reason to the readers and Harry left to go to war. It turns out that Kate's father had lied to Harry, which lead him to believe that Kate had betrayed him. Ugh. Harry why are you so stupid? Another thing that frustated me was the fact that Harry took way too long to redeem himself for Kate. In my opinion, I think Kate should have gotten someone who was much more worthy of her. Oh well!

In the end, through the twists and turns of their relationship, everything fell right into place. I liked Always a Temptress, but sadly it was not my favorite book from the Drake's Rakes series. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me permission to read this ARC!

Rating: ★★★☆☆