Maryse's Book Blog

Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel
And here it is… friends. Time for me to say again, “We fooooound it!!! We foooooooound it!!!” Yep. We found it. What, exactly did we find?

Weren’t some of you asking me what to read after Fifty Shades? Hrmmmm? Were you? Well. This. Is. IT!! We found it. And now I know… I know. Nothing compares to Fifty. That was our biggest problem, wasn’t it? We’ve found many “similar” books in regards to the subject matter. Some had large elements of BDSM in it, some had the “contract” with the rich, gorgeous tycoon uninterested in love. And some had none of that… just a ton of 5-star intensity that we could easily become addicted to. But none had it all. None of them were quite… “What to read after Fifty.” They were good options, but not perfect.

And then… I started getting little nudges from fellow readers a few days ago. Christina first mentioned it:

“Ok, so I’ve been hearing that Bared to You by Sylvia Day is close to a FSoG. I haven’t read it yet, I’m going to start it tonight.”

And it went viral on my Facebook page after that.

I finished it this morning and have been pacing at work all morning. I tried. I tried to keep it contained. Thought to myself… I can hold out until tonight, for the review. But the girls… they kept taunting me with his name, with specific scenes, with invitations into chat discussions.

Then Tina brought it up. I went crazy!! I was busting at the seams, and I let it all loose! *sigh* But I felt soooooo much better after that.

Tina: So this book Bared to You – you start it?

Maryse: HOLY *beep* TINA, sorry 😉 LOVED IT. I finished it this morning and I’m upside down. Now I’m at work when all I want to do is release myself into a review. I’m freaking! Okay wait… there are some OBVIOUS parts ummm… well it’s like Fifty, but the author did it right. It’s not better then Fifty, but if she keeps the series going at the intensity this one had (cause there will be more… a continuation to their story), then this could be as good. Excellent. I’m giving it 5 stars ’cause I swear I was shaking and on edge the entire time…

If you go into this “open” (’cause of course you might not be able to help finding similarities and comparing), but still.. for the fun of it… the need for more after “Fifty”… this one has it. If u are looking for “what to read after Fifty” cause you want more like that… I mean, I have plenty that were “good” but THIS is #1 after Fifty so far (in terms of that mood, that ambiance, that style).

Tina: I just bought it.

And while I was at it, I let loose with my Facebook girls too.

Christina: Ohhhhh my word!! I can’t WAIT until we all finish this book so we can discuss!!! 72% and we get the goods thrown at us. Ahhh. I am swooning at Gideon. He’s, just….wow

Yanira: I love this book!!! It’s kinda like Fifty, but not.

Carol: Just started it too….my husband said, “another book?” Me: “yes, babe, but you’ll be pleased….its been compared to the one that got us pregnant!” lol 😉

Jenny: Maryse, finished Bared to You and dare I say it’s a squeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Oh my… Heart is breaking… Loving this. At the italian restaurant. I can totally feel this scene and the one before it.

Brandie: Started a chat thread on Maryse’s blog for Bared To You. I just have to talk about this book! https://talk.maryse.net/threads/bared-to-you-can-we-talk.90/ <– (side note from Maryse… that link is a full-on discussion – spoilers and all, so don’t click it, unless you’re ready to see the whole book discussed).

Maryse’s Book Blog: Ditto – fan-freakin-tastic book. I am THRILLED, and am anxious to get this review out of me!!! One of my favorites this year NO DOUBT. NO DOUBT. I’m stuck in a Gideon loop, and that last “little surprise” really threw me for a loop. OMG I’m shaking!!! AND AND… well the whole darn book threw me… every bit. LOVED, melted, absolutely shook with fury, fear… anticipation and nervousness. THIS ONE HAS ME!!

Gitte: Maryse yep it was everything you said…my fave so far this year by a mile!!! It had everything and I am still thinking about it days later!!! I CANNOT wait for the next one!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: You know Gitte… might be my fav so far this year too. It’s a toss-up between a few, but this one sure had me feeling EVERYTHING. Everything she thought, I thought. Everything she felt, I was already feeling it, no matter how irrational, I was RIGHT THERE with her.

Brandie: That’s what I loved so much about it too Maryse! I wasn’t just reading, I was feeling.

Jenny: Oh Maryse! You are spot on with all that!! It’s def going to be one of my faves that’s for sure. It will take something pretty special to knock this off! I an STILL consumed by it long after finishing it so I know I’m on a winner when that happens. Eva was amazing! What a fantastic character. So damaged, yet so strong. Don’t even get me started on Gideon!! Lol. Am dying to read your review!!! Yay! Love this awesome post good read feeling!!

Gitte: … I didn’t get any sleep at all over 2 days cause ALL my emotions were tied up in it!! … Never has a heroine gotten to me like this….so rare!! I wanted to pick her out my kindle and put her in my pocket ..then do the same to him and put him in the other one.

Sali: omg maryse im at 80% & im sad coz i dont want this to end …*sigh & pout*……yes im doing both

Kistrine: Just got done with Bared..and if you’ve read my posts on this page, ive been having a readathon! Hands down, this is second to my fifty shades obssession!

Iced: I’m at 50% on this book and I have to say it’s been hard not doing a whole compare between it and 50 Shades. It bothered me on a huge level much through a good chunk. It slowly grew on me though and at the moment I’m totally into Gideon. That little scene after the GYM.. SIZZLE!! That was effing hot to the max!! Can’t wait for you to finish Maryse so we can fully discuss :D. Hope the second half truly kicks things into max gear.

Laura: Bared to You definitely gave me my Christian fix. But now I’m finished and I need a Gideon fix! Any idea when book two is coming out?

Okay so… I mean, this whole review could be my entire Facebook page right now, because this book is dominating it right now, but I think you get the point. 😉 This. Book. ROCKS!

And I’m pretty sure you have a good idea what it’s about, but humor me a moment, as I quickly explain the premise.

You see, once upon a time, a very pretty and financially secure woman (Eva) haphazardly ran across an exquisite male (Gideon), who couldn’t help but stare at her with intensity. And she stared back. Because you see… he was the most gorgeous male she had ever laid eyes on. Pure perfection and the depth and seriousness of his stare unnerved her. She couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Five minutes with Mr. Dark and Dangerous, and I was filled with an edgy, restless energy. I could still feel the pull of him, the inexplicable urge to go back inside where he was.

And as her week progressed, she ran into him a few more times (you’ll see why). He made his intentions perfectly clear, and while her body said YES, her mouth said “Ugh! As IF!!”

“There was nothing harmless about this guy,” I said dryly.

“Ah, one of those.” Cary nodded sagely. “Bad boys can be fun, if you don’t get too close.”

Never refuse a man who gets everything he wants, whenever he wants, because if he can’t have it, or even play with it a little, right off the bat, he will do whatever it takes to own it. Like waving a red flag before a bull… that’s just teasing.

“You’re a huge challenge to a guy who obviously thrives on them.”

Gideon knows no boundaries, and because of his physical beauty, his owning half of Manhattan, and his tenacious grip on control, boundaries simply don’t exist in his world. And why should they? Everyone bows to Mr. Cross.

“I’m not interested.”

Cross glanced over his shoulder at me. His shirt and tie were both the same cerulean as his irises. The effect was striking. “No lies. Eva. Ever.”

“That’s not a lie. So what if I’m attracted to you? I expect most women are.” Wrapping up what was left of my candy bar, I shoved it back into the shopping bag I’d tucked into my purse. I didn’t need chocolate when I was sharing air with Gideon Cross. “But I’m not interested in doing anything about it.”

He faced me then, turning in a leisurely pivot, that ghost of a smile softening his sinful mouth. His ease and unconcern aggravated me further. “Attraction is too tame a word for” – he gestured at the space between us – “this.”

“Call me crazy, but I have to actually like someone before I get naked and sweaty with them.”

“Not crazy,” he said. “But I don’t have the time or the inclination to date.”

And the game is ON!!

But Mr. Perfect is far from it, and the reader quickly grasps this early on in their encounters. Thing is… she has tentative grasp on emotional connections, too. Disturbing pasts have left emotional scars. Put these two on each other’s path and watch them self-combust. This book is beyond steamy, and I mean S-T-E-A-M-Y. Wooooooohooooo *hot*. Perfectly detailed, perfectly paced, perfectly realistic in it’s fictionally extravagant storyline. And while the passion could short-circuit your e-reader, they are just as passionately afraid for their own hearts. They can tear each other apart (and in the process, tear us apart, too). But that’s what we love, right? The absolutely dysfunctional start of a love affair between two people who normally practice extreme caution in relationships, and who do the absolute wrong thing, each and every time.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Raw, real, gritty, emotionally addictive. He has an entourage… and she has her own, and its all just a crazy wonderful mess. Every character has you paying attention, (some are amazing, some are broken, some are jealous & petty, some are possibly dangerous…) and this one gives you everything you need for that “Fifty” rush that you’ve been searching for. The only thing that it’s missing is book #2. And that one is on it’s way. “Deeper In You” coming soon. *hrmph* Not soon enough (October 2012).

FIVE STARS!!!!! I’ve given quite a few books recently a 5-star rating (my reading luck has been great these days!). But this one beats most of ’em. Possibly the best book of the year so far? Well close. There are a few up there with it… 😉 Oh no. I just had a thought. What am I gonna read, now, that’s gonna live up to this?!? Check out the old cover!! —————->

➔➔➔  Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews. 😀