Review: Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

Posted November 5, 2012 by Vampbard in 4.5 stars, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Military or Suspense Romance, Rating A Tags: , , ,

Reflected in You
Author: Sylvia Day  
Release Date:  Oct. 23, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Crossfire Book #2
ISBN: 978-0425263916
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense
Format(s): Paperback (432 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
About the book:
Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn’t stay away. I didn’t want to. He was my addiction… my every desire… mine.
My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful… except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity.
We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession…
What VampBards talking about:
I’m not going to lie.  Reflected in You felt a LOT like New Moon to me…except for one thing:  Eva is a survivor.  Don’t look for my review of this title to be sugar-coated or fan-girlish.  You won’t get that here.  I “hated” New Moon.  However, Reflected in You gave me an entirely new perspective on the genre of romantic suspense.  I didn’t even know there was a mystery brewing…
I simply adored Sylvia Day’s plot arc in this title.  You definitely must read the first title in the Crossfire series, Bared to You, before reading Reflected in You.  It’s important to know how Gideon and Eva came to be a couple, where they’ve been, and the hurdles they’ve overcome to be together.  Granted, they have more mountains to climb before their HEA, if there is to be one, but the delicious bite of heartache makes the reunion so much stronger for both the character and the reader.  
The way Gideon and Eva grew as a couple during Reflected in You was some seriously awesome plotting.  Kudos to Ms. Day for allowing the reader to be **right there** with Gideon and Eva as their relationship hit highs, lows, and rock-bottom.  This title isn’t for the weak; be ready to go on a wooden roller-coaster ride.  Emotions get knocked around, and those that get into their books may feel as though you were put through a wood chipper before things resolve in this title.  
It’s difficult to discuss much about Reflected in You without giving away some of the delicious plot.  We do see more of Mark, Eva’s boss and his partner, Steven.  I think they’re integral characters, as it seems that they have a healthy relationship.  They also provide Eva with non-Gideon companionship – especially once Steven’s sister becomes slightly more prominent as a character.  I think we’ll see more of her.  
Cary plays a large part in the second Crossfire novel. His medical state moves a chunk of the setting back to his and Eva’s apartment. I was intrigued by the relationship between Eva’s parents. I sense more there, but I’m not sure anything will come of it. 
In reality, I can’t discuss one of Sylvia Day’s Crossfire titles without mentioning the sizzling physical relationship Eva and Gideon have.  Take. Me. To. The. Beach.  **fans self**  The transportation fetish continues.  Make-up sex is phenomenal.  I love the fact that Eva initiates as often as Gideon.  I love the fact that the make-up sex seems to be more about making a connection with the one you love than the act itself.  Some people need the emotional connection with their partner.  Some need the physical connection.  Some need both.  I think both Eva and Gideon fit the last category.
Lastly, we see a resolution to a story arc from Bared to You.  It’s a MAJOR deal for Eva, and more so, I think, for Gideon.  I’m really interested to find out how that all works out in the third Crossfire novel.  
Reflected in You was a title that I think I needed to read.  Sometimes, as we read through so many titles in the romance genre, we see couples hook up, have a problem, resolve it, and live HEA.  Even in series, there’s generally multiple characters that have their HEA (one per book).  I can really appreciate the way Ms. Day has shown the more realistic side of relationships in this day and age.  More people get into relationships carrying baggage.  I think Gideon and Eva (thus far) are the poster kids for fighting for what you want, and what is GOOD for you.  Don’t get me wrong – I’m not advocating co-dependency (even though I’m a little co-dependent on Mr. VampBard).  I see the way Eva communicates with Gideon…how she allows him to open up in his own time…and how she is able to let go of some of her baggage, knowing that Gideon will be there to catch her if something goes awry.  The major lesson learned from this title:  if you truly trust someone, everything else will work out.
I will rather (im)patiently await May 7, 2013.  Entwined with You has a tentative release date (I think Mr. VampBard will let me read on our anniversary, don’t you?).  The final book of the Crossfire trilogy will be a title I’m sure to want to have ready to read ASAP.  I MUST know what happens to my friends, Gideon and Eva!
VampBards Rating:
Loved it – enthusiastically recommend (A)


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