This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Susan Lobban
Gideon and Eva’s relationship has been a whirlwind, so what else would be expected of them than to get married? However it’s a big secret – all their friends and family are taken aback over the fact that they are merely engaged, so the newlyweds are in no rush to enlighten them. In fact, Eva’s plan is to keep quiet forever and simply have another wedding in front of those closest to them. The best laid plans and all that; it takes just one person to find out and all is ruined.
The vows they exchanged should have created an unbreakable bond but, ironically, this is exactly what may break the couple apart. Their marriage is anything but conventional in the beginning, but it is managing to bring all the pain and insecurities that have been bubbling under the surface of their relationship into the spotlight. Strong sexual chemistry does not a marriage make and what brought them together in the first place is threatening to destroy them. Will they be heading for divorce before anyone even knows they are married?
I am a Crossfire virgin so this book was my first introduction to the series and what an introduction it was! Only a few pages in and the characters were getting hot and heavy with each other. Concentrating on the story aspect, I was impressed with the way I picked up past history and plot lines very quickly. Throughout the entire thing, I did feel that this could work as a good standalone book. I am not sure if this would have been the case if I had started on books two or three.
We meet Gideon and Eva as they are adjusting to being secretly married. It is a new phase in their lives so I felt it was the perfect time to meet the protagonists for the first time. However, right from the start I realised Gideon and Eva are no typical husband and wife!
There is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing in the opening chapters as the pair can’t seem to leave each other alone. One minute Gideon is at work the next he is talking sexy with his wife or arguing with her. Just as the story is trying to progress and the couple are mad with one another, Eva turns up and they are ripping their clothes off. Once I had got my head round which way the book was headed I was able to really get into it. Gideon may exude confidence to all around him, but Eva is the only one who knows the real him and he is extremely jealous and insecure. His greatest fear is losing Eva and even marriage does not seem to put this to bed. In amongst all the sex, unlike others books within this genre there was an intriguing plot line, which kept my interest. Another aspect that made this book stand out from the rest was the fascinating secondary characters, they were not simply thrown in to stand around, they actually did have an effect on Gideon and Eva’s life – good and bad.I do not know how this book stands up against the others in the series, but for me it certainly makes me want to look out the back catalogue and see what I have missed. Captivated by You is more than just a one night stand, it is a relationship you want to invest time in.
7/10