Book Review: Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

Reflected in You by Sylvia Day (Crossfire #2)
Penguin Group Publishing
2012

Format: e-book

First Line(s): "I loved New York with the kind of mad passion I reserved for only one other thing in my life.  The city was a microcosm of new world opportunities and old world traditions.  Conservatives rubbed shoulders with bohemians.  Oddities co-existed with priceless rarities.  The pulsing energy of the city fueled international business bloodlines and drew people from all over the world."

Synopsis from Goodreads: FROM THE #1 "NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLING AUTHOR 
The hotly anticipated second book of the Crossfire Trilogy continues the sensual saga of Eva and Gideon that began in "Bared to You."..the "New York Times" bestselling novel of "EROTIC ROMANCE THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED" ("Romance Novel News"). 
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...

My Thoughts:  I read this immediately following its prequel, Bared to You.  I wasn't completely sold on the first book of this series, but its just my personality to read the whole series and not just stop after the first book.  Quite honestly, I'm glad I did.  This book is still not quite my normal read, a little too porn-like for me, but I did enjoy it.  It has a much better story line than the first book, and a dash of mystery.


As a continuation of the first book, Eva and Gideon's relationship is still based on a primal sexual attraction to each other - portrayed like a drug abuse addiction.  They crave each other - nothing can hold them apart when they are together.  They would lie, cheat, steal, or kill for each other.  They constantly need a "fix" when separated for long periods of time (typically longer than 12 hours).

Obviously, there are no issues in the bedroom (or any mode of transportation) for these two, but outside of their sexual relationship, they struggle with the emotional parts of their relationships.  Because of their  history of both being sexually abused as children, they have a lot of baggage than hangs over both of their heads.  It also causes them to have attachment and trust issues with each other.

The 2nd half of this book is where it really starts to get interesting.  The author adds a bit of suspense, leading you down a path of Eva and Gideons pasts - some of which make a reappearance in their lives.  Gideon also gives Eva some more insight into his childhood towards the end which helps to unravel the web that makes Gideon Cross the man he is today.

As I stated, I enjoyed this book much more than the first one, but there are still some quirks that annoy me.  Both characters are annoyingly greedy and needy.  They are an emotional roller coaster ;  "I love him, I hate him" back and forth gets old - especially when you know already she is going to weaken and run right back.  Gideon is portrayed as a headstrong, successful businessman, who is possessive and always in control.  While the possessive feature is constant, his other traits are weakened by his lack of obsessiveness over a woman.

Reflected in You is by far a better read than its predecessor.  The storyline really developed into more than sexual encounters, it was better written, and much more mature.

Reflected in You gets 4.3 stars.