Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Letting Go (Surrender Trilogy #1) by Maya Banks


Josslyn found perfection once, and she knows she’ll never find it again. Now widowed, she seeks the one thing her beloved husband couldn’t give her. Dominance. Lonely and searching for an outlet for her grief and wanting only a brief taste of the perfection she once enjoyed, she seeks what she’s looking for at an exclusive club that caters to people indulging in their most hedonistic fantasies. She never imagined that what she’d find is the one man who’s long been a source of comfort—and secret longing. Her husband’s best friend.

Dash has lived in an untenable position for years. In love with his best friend’s wife and unwilling to act on that attraction. He’d never betray his best friend. And so he’s waited in the wings, offering Joss unconditional support and comfort as she works past her grief, hoping for the day when he can offer her more.

When he finds her in a club devoted to the darker edges of desire, he’s furious because he thinks she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Until she explains in detail what it is she wants. What she needs. As realization sets in, he is gripped by fierce, unwavering determination. If she wants dominance, he is the only man who will introduce her to that world. He is the only man who will touch her, cherish her…love her. And the only man she’ll ever submit to.

Type: Erotic Romance
Heat: 4 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Cover-- Flowers on acid. I could pass on this one.

Book Depository | All Romance | Amazon | BAM | Goodreads

Oh . Yes. Dominant sexy men abound! Be still my heart. Letting Go was a fun, sexy and emotional start to the Surrender Trilogy. I loved the characters, the set up of finding love in an unexpected place, the little bits of humor and the delicious steam that heated up the pages as Joss and Dash figured out their new relationship and everything that came with it...

The quick of it is that 3 year ago Joss lost her husband in a car accident and has grieved the loss ever since but she's ready to live her life again and move on. And that includes exploring her desires for being in a dominant/submissive relationship. Surprise, surprise her husband's best friend-- and the man she's gone to the last few years for support--just happens to be one dominant alpha male who is madly in love with her and wants to be the only man in her life.

So Joss. I loved her. I know, I usually have issues with heroines. But not Joss. She's a pretty amazing woman. I really admired her and that she went after what she wanted even knowing her friends might have trouble with her decisions. While she's not always sure of her self she's a strong woman and I enjoyed seeing her embrace her submissive side. And when things called for it--standing up for herself.
"And now?" he prompted. "Do you feel it now? For me?"

"Oh yes," she breathed. "It shocked the hell out of me. I never expected to feel this way about you. Never imagined wanting you so badly. But there it is."

"Thank fuck," he muttered. "Glad to know I'm not the only one suffering here."

She grinned. "Then how about we do something about that suffering?"

He looked shocked. So much so that she regretted her forwardness. Embarrassment crept up her neck, a wave of heat that flooded her cheeks.

Then he let out a low growl, leaning down to claim her mouth.
And Dash. Lord love him. The man is smitten with Joss and has been since the moment he met her years earlier. And he's pined for her this whole time. I really enjoyed his character as well even if he did screw up in one gloriously horrifying to watch moment. Lordy this man does not do anything half force. lol Loving her,  taking care of her, screwing up, smexy bedroom times. I mean. He goes all out. And, most of the time, it's damn fun to watch. Even his mess up I appreciated. I liked that while he's in control so often and supposed to be sure of himself he has insecurities and struggles he has to work through as well. It was nice being able to see both sides to each of them.

The sexy times are indeed steamy and worthy of a little lip biting. There are some very intense moments, some that are sweet and tender, some a little more daring. And it worked. I loved the combination and that it wasn't the same throughout.

There were a couple blips for me though. There were some scenes that felt rather forced--blow ups with friends that just didn't flow quite right, some repetition and-- well, this one is just me being me and a blood thristy bitch--wanting that man to grovel a hell of a lot more there at the end LOL.

Overall, even with the blips, I really enjoyed Letting Go and the first taste of the trilogy. It's an interesting group of characters that have formed a family together and I'm really looking forward to hearing the stories of the other two ladies in the group and their men--one who doesn't trust men do to childhood abuse and one whose marriage is having a rough patch.


Have you read Banks? Have a favorite?
Do you have a favorite BDSM series or 'moving on' story?

More Maya on herding cats!






Are you a blogger? Let me know so I can visit you too!

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the post and your thoughts on this book. I am a huge fan of friends to lovers stories and I also loved Maya Banks Sweet series so this sounds perfect for me. I am very excited to read her new series. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete

I always enjoy hearing what YOU think so come on and leave a comment. Everyone's welcome :) And feel free to leave comments on old posts. I'll check in on you there too :)

Bloggers don't forget to leave your links!
~Anna

The Herd Archives