Bared to You by Sylvia Day

Our journey began in fire... Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness-beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily... Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds... and desires. The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...

Initial Thoughts:

I was looking for a book that could match up to Fifty Shades after I had completed the trilogy... twice. Did you know there are Fifty Shades support groups out there? For ladies (and men?) who just don't know what to read after it? I happened upon a blog post that linked to a list, and this book was at the top. I thought the cover was strikingly similar to the Fifty Shades book. It was a worth a shot.

The Pros:

Everyone in this book comes from a tortured past, so the playing field is pretty even.

Eva seems like someone I could be friends with in real life. Just girly enough to gossip with but tough enough to do martial arts at a local gym.

Gideon annoyed me at first, but he grew on me throughout the book. He was a bit similar to the Christian in Fifty Shades, but different enough to keep me reading.

The character of Cary, Eva's best (and gay) friend and roommate, is really interesting. How he changes throughout this book kept me guessing, and I'm still wondering what's going to happen to him in the next book.

The New York setting was a welcome change of pace as I've been reading books set in small towns and the Pacific Northwest lately.

The Cons:

It WAS quite similar to Fifty Shades. The sex scenes were definitely not as graphic but the basic plot line was pretty darn similar at first.

I felt like Gideon's character could have been enriched a little. You don't find out much about him. Maybe that's supposed to add to his mysteriousness? I'm not sure. I'm sure we'll find out more in the next book.

Eva's mom is a total nut job. I wanted to shake her. Repeatedly. 

The Wrap Up: 4/5

I ended up really liking this book after I got past the similarities to Fifty Shades. As the book progressed, the similarities faded. Eva's character is far more likable than Ana in Fifty Shades, at least to me. I like headstrong young women, it gives readers someone to look up to. This is a MUST read if you liked Fifty Shades.

Favorite Quote:

"I've only seen you, angel. From the moment you found me, I've seen nothing but you."

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