Review of BARED TO YOU by Sylvia Day

BARED TO YOU:  A Crossfire Novel
SYLVIA DAY
Published:   May 24, 2012
Publisher:  Berkley Trade
Genre:  Erotic Contemporary Romance
ISBN:  9780425263907
Available ebook and print
Review copy provided by Edelweiss for an honest review.

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..


Read on. . ..

My Ratings

Review

Sexual

Alright, I admit it - I caved.  I usually don't follow the crowd and read what is popular.  I don't know Bones from Barrons from Curran.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not totally in the dark - LOL!  It's just that there is sooo much to read and only so many hours in a day.  So, yes, I caved after reading all of the press about FSOG and decided to give BARED TO YOU a shot.  Really?  Seriously?  What was all the fuss about.

Eva and Gideon belong to the very exclusive - filthy rich, beautiful people club.  There is a catch though; both of them are psychotic having suffered traumatic abuse during their childhood.  Eva has (and still is) getting professional help but Gideon, nope, he has a long way to go.  Eva's abuse is spelled out, but it is never clear what Gideon is struggling with.  Throw into the mix Eva's bisexual, self-destructive (and gorgeous no matter what he wears) roommate, Cary; her looney, but just as gorgeous Mother; and all the other beautiful people in their circle, and you have a prime-time Manhattan drama in the making.

Gideon has commitment problems; then he has issues with possessiveness and jealousy.  Eva wants a relationship, but has she self-esteem issues.  She'll get jealous or upset and instead of trying to talk it out with Gideon, she runs.  And Gideon, well he doesn't talk about problems very well either, he uses sex.  There was quite a bit of make-up sex - hot 'n heavy taking place in the shower, the limo, the home library, the office.

The turning point for me was when Eva laid this gem on Gideon:

He pressed a kiss to the crown of my head.  "I can't stand the thought that you're waiting for this to end.  That's what you're doing, isn't it?  That's what you sound like."
"I'm sorry."
"We just have to make you feel secure."  He ran his fingers through my hair.  "How do we do that?"
I hesitated a moment, then went for it.  "Would you go to couples therapy with me?"
The stroking of his fingers paused.  He stood silently for a moment, breathing deeply.
"Just think about it," I suggested.  "Maybe look into it, see what it's about."
"Am I doing this wrong?  You and me?  Am I fucking it up that much?"
I pulled back to look at him.  "No Gideon.  You're perfect.  Perfect for me, anyway.  I'm crazy about you.  I think you're-"

Excuse me - I think you're perfect but you need therapy!?!  After two weeks (or less) of fucking dating, whose asks that?  But it didn't change the caliber of the story for me.  It was still misunderstandings, jealousies, SOS - different day, hot sex and a HFN to be continued in the next installment, DEEPER IN YOU.

One more thing, if you please.  When I turned the last page of this book, I found a Readers Guide with Discussion Questions.  Ah hell, I should have known better.  Any book that ends with essay questions instead of an epilogue is not for me.