Entwined With You (Crossfire #3) by Sylvia Day-a review
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ENTWINED WITH YOU (Crossfire #3) by Sylvia Day
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 4, 2013
From the moment I first met Gideon Cross, I recognized something in him that I needed. Something I couldn’t resist. I saw the dangerous and damaged soul inside–so much like my own. I was drawn to it. I needed him as surely as I needed my heart to beat.
No one knows how much he risked for me. How much I’d been threatened, or just how dark and desperate the shadow of our pasts would become.
Entwined by our secrets, we tried to defy the odds. We made our own rules and surrendered completely to the exquisite power of possession…
••••••••••••••••••
REVIEW: ENTWINED WITH YOU is the third storyline in Sylvia Day’s erotic, contemporary Crossfire series focusing on Gideon Cross and the woman he would kill for-Eva Trammel.
At the end of REFLECTED IN YOU Gideon and Eva’s life had been cemented together with the knowledge about who killed Eva’s step-brother and the secrets from each other’s past-pasts filled with betrayal, abuse and questionable parenting from all concerned. Entwined With You furthers the storyline yet does very little in the way of developing a different direction for the leading couple or continuing the story.
Many questions from the second book have been answered-questions regarding some of Gideon’s behavior and Eva’s mistaken beliefs. But a good portion of this particular novel involves sex and issues of trust-and there is plenty of sex between our leading couple-in the bedroom; in the kitchen; on the couch; on the floor; in the shower; on the plane; in the office and….well, you get the idea ! Sex in this series has always been prevalent and a major part of the storyline but I felt overwhelmed very quickly.
Issues of trust, once again, come to the forefront as past lovers continue to force themselves into Gideon and Eva’s lives. Whether in the guise of love or obsession, these ex-lovers will wreak havoc for our couple. From Corinne to Brett and another from Gideon’s past, as well as some revealing video, Eva and Gideon must weather the firestorm that continues to burn hot and bright.
But I am not sure where Sylvia is going with this particular series. She was originally contracted for a trilogy -3 books- but now there are plans for a total of 5. Most (but not all) of the major issues between Gideon and Eva have been solved as well as some important aspects of their future, therefore, Sylvia has ventured into secondary character storylines. The secondary characters including Eva’s parents, Megumi and especially Cary’s love triangle with Trey and Tatiana, will all play a much more prominent role in future storylines. Sylvia Day has used Entwined With You as the building block to several potential story arcs in the series that may or may not directly involve Eva and Gideon (although all secondary characters are connected to the couple) and, therefore their stories will reflect directly back.
The relationship between Gideon and Eva continues to be very physical and co-dependent. There is rarely a moment where they were not touching or kissing or enticing the other into another round of steamy sex or forbidden touch. They risk public disclosure and decency laws on more than one occasion. The bond between Gideon and Eva is one of need and want; love and obsession. They are each other’s addiction. Regardless of Gideon’s need to protect and defend, there is also his need FOR Eva as well. He is a man who is unable to function without the woman that he loves. At some point Gideon will want to take their relationship to the next level.
Overall, Entwined With You is an interesting storyline but one that I found not to be on the same level as the previous two books. Perhaps there is the issue of expanding the trilogy into a series of five and therefore a different approach and direction was required to shape and construct the new storyline arc but there is a definite lack of closure and satisfaction in book three. It was like running on a treadmill when you needed to go somewhere else.
Reviewed by Sandy
Very nice and honest review, Sandy. Sylvia’s series is very popular, and that’s probalby why they stretched it to more then three books. However, a spinoff of the good secondary characters you mention would have worked.
Thanks Barb. I don’t think the next two books are spin offs but it appears the series will not focus entirely on Eva and Gideon…or if it does ( as there are some definite new scenarios in Entwined With You) Sylvia is strategizing for the upcoming books…
Great review, Sandy. I have read the first two books, and I have also read the mixed feedback. I have already purchased this book, and soon I’ll read it . I do love Gideon.
Thanks Amy. Gideon is quite the alpha male but we are definitely seeing a very vulnerable side to the man
Awesome review Sandy! I have read this one and I am grateful that she didn’t leave this as a cliffhanger as that would of pissed me off! I like all the characters so I don’t mind that the additional books are added to the series. It is a very co-dependant relationship and I for one am looking forward to seeing them progress!
Rachel 🙂
Thanks Rachel. I too love the series, don’t get me wrong, but I felt that this particular installment did not further their story although their ‘relationship’ has become more permanent 😉
I want to see some Gideon confront his mother….Sylvia has taken the storyline with Eva and her mother/step brother and focused on the abuse but we need something with Gideon’s mother and her lack of acknowledgement about her son’s painful childhood
Great review Sandy. I just finished Entwined with You and I agree. Sylvia answered a few of our questions but it did not further Gideon and Eva’s story. It appears she is trying to build up another story ARC. Interesting about Eva’s parents-I want to see where that particular scenario leads.
Thanks Alexiis. I love this series as well. I was hoping for something different in this particular installment. I want some resolution with Gideon and his mother. That particular part of the storyline hasn’t been addressed so hopefully Sylvia will focus on Gideon’s childhood and parents/siblings. Most of the first 3 books have focused on the abuse Eva had to endure .
Great review Sandy. I have read at least 1 of this series so far and enjoyed it. Going to follow up with more now that I have more time to read… 😀
Thanks MaryAnn…you are falling behind !!!!!!
Great review Sandy, I just finished this read and I have too agree with you . I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one . But it was just a read for me , and as you said they really didn’t move forward all that much .
Thanks Lori. I was disappointed in this particular installment but it is still a great series. I think Sylvia was concentrating too much on future storyline build up IMO-but saying that–I hope she addresses Gideon’s issues with the abuse and his mother’s lack of ‘concern’
Awesome Review Sandy!! And, I totally agree……. Even though I read it quickly, it was still a bit of a letdown. There were a couple of things that happened that I was like “what in the hell??!!”. LOL!! And, as Rachel said above (Hi Rachel!), at least there wasn’t a cliffhanger with Gideon and Eva, but, it did just STOP!!!!!!!!!!!! However, I do look forward to the next one…..
Thanks Vickie. I know exactly what you mean. EWY didn’t really advance the storyline-but started to head in several different directions. And again, I want some resolution for Gideon’s childhood abuse and his mother’s lack of concern or denial
I haven’t red any of the series. Great review Sandy. I would imagine it would be better to start at the first one. Will have to find out what it is.
Hi Fran. Yes, you MUST start at the beginning ….otherwise book 3 means absolutely nothing.
Bared To You
Reflected in You
Entwined With You…
Wonderful review Sandy.I have just started reading this book but so far there is a lot of sex . lol
I will get back to you when I am finished. Probably tonight !
Ok. Finished the book and I must say this isn’t quite what I expected. I love the series and most of the characters but I felt like there was something missing or different. As though the author wasn’t quite sure what to do with the characters after book 2. But I do see where she could be heading with a few different directions. Cary/Tatiana/Trey might be interesting as of course, Eva’s parents-what up with that??
Hi Alicia. I know what you are saying about her parents. That would definitely be an interesting storyline considering ‘all things’
I too, love this series. And of course, I was hoping for something different as well but on the grand scheme of things, this is still a series I want to read. Let’s hope Sylvia can bring about book 4 with a little more -meat on the pages.
Great review, Sandy. Another reason I love coming here. You are all so honest, and when I see glowing reviews, I know I can’t go wrong.
nice review Sandy. i am hoping to read this book, soon.