Mastered (The Enforcers #1) by Maya Banks-a review

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About the book: Release Date December 29, 2015

She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.

What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.

The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.

••••••••••••••••

Mastered begins with Evangeline being dumped by her jerk of a boyfriend. Her group of best friends are dressing her up and sending her to a club (to which one of them got a VIP pass), by herself. Seems the friend could only snag one pass. The reason Evangeline agrees to go is because her ex frequents the club and she wants him to see what he’s missing. (Really?) Of course, once she gets there, she runs smack dab into him and to say he berates her is a bit of an understatement. As he physically attacks her, the bouncers step in and quickly handle the ex and hustle Evangeline upstairs to the boss’ office.

As Drake watched the events downstairs unfold, he was livid. He could absolutely tell that Evangeline was in way over her head by coming to a club like his, but even more than that, no one was ever allowed to put their hands on a woman the way that jacka$$ had. When the door to Drake’s office opened and in walked Evangeline, he knew, somehow, that things would never be the same.

Things heat up quickly between the two, and as the blurb says, Evangeline knew she should run, but just couldn’t make herself do it. As Drake tried to sooth Evangeline, he also seduced her, and she couldn’t say no. He also informed her he’d see her again the next night. Once she regained a little control, she went home and was glad her room mates weren’t up. She had to get her head wrapped around what had happened before she could begin to talk about it. Once she and her friends did discuss what happened, they were all a little bumfuzzled. Evangeline was the slow and steady one and had never been adventurous and decided to go to work instead of going back to see Drake.

When Evangeline wasn’t there when she was supposed to be, Drake sent one of his men to pick Evangeline up after her shift and bring her to him. When she walked out and saw Drake’s man waiting on her, she tried to talk her way out of going with him, but he more or less told her she was going one way or the other. After that, things happen very quickly. They are both attracted to each other, but she is scared out of her mind. Her friends are not supportive of her decision to move things further with Drake, she’s left heartbroken by that, but decides she doesn’t need their permission or their encouragement. As Drake and Evangeline navigate their new relationship and try to get to know each other, they hit a few bumps but seem to work through things. Until one night when Evangeline was supposed to be gone because Drake was entertaining business associates, but she decides to surprise him by cooking for him and his guests. What follows turns everyone’s world upside down. Drake had his reasons, but all Evangeline knows is that she was humiliated and hurt more than she ever thought she could be. When she runs away, all Drake can do is go after her……

Mastered is a little bit different than Maya’s other books. First off, it ends with a cliffhanger. She said there wasn’t enough room in one book to tell these characters’ stories. Due to that, we really don’t know any of the background information on Drake. I mean nothing! We know some about Evangeline, but I have a feeling there’s more to her as well. The central characters are typical. Evangeline is surviving paycheck to paycheck and is doing everything she can to help her family back in Mississippi. Drake is very dominant and bossy and wants everything his way. Of course there was instant attraction, but I liked both of the characters, as I always do with Maya’s books. I liked this book, but didn’t love it. However, if the next book goes the way I hope it does, I may need to come back and amend the like/love thing. It has the potential to be really, really good, but I’ll have to see how the next one goes. Again, I liked the book. Just, didn’t love it. I’m a huge, HUGE Maya fan and can’t wait for the next one.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Vickie M