After reading the Fifty Shades Trilogy and the first 3 books of the Crossfire series, I decided to do a little hunting for books on the erotic/erotic romance genre while waiting for the 4th book of the Crossfire to be released - and up popped the Stark Trilogy by Julie Kenner. This has a sort of similar plot to the other 2 series, but it does have its difference.
Release Me (Book 1)
When you first start reading this book the first chapter and a bit you find out all about Nikki and it kind of sets the scene of why she's in LA, her new job, why she's at this specific party. Then a little while later (I think about the latter of Chapter 2/chapter 3) Nikki meets Damien. She kind of explains what she knows about him, about his celebrity status etc. So we get to know the basics.
I won't give away too much, but for me at first I thought Damien was a bit of a prick, until I kind of warmed to him as I got to know him. But I also kind of wasn't sure if I liked Nikki at first either, although I grew to like her as the book went on and began to see a little of myself in here!
What you realise first of that these characters aren't clean cut, unlike the Crossfire series (which I personally love, but thought everyone kind of looks beautiful no matter what) these characters having exterior and interior beauty, along with a lot of pain. And that's what I found intriguing in these books more then anything - was trying to figure out what had happened to the characters and how it may effect the story plot - which it kind of does, a lot.
If you are expecting straight into sex with this book, you are definitely going to be disappointed, unlike Fifty Shades and Crossfire, this book makes you wait until chapter 20 - just over 200 pages in. Despite it being worth it, and you'll see why once you read the book, it did make me just want to say "get into bed already" with the sexual tension. They do have an encounter earlier on in the book but nothing physical between them goes on - I'd personally say its more emotional and verbal.
I did enjoy this book despite having to wait, and it did intrigue me what the second book would cover.
Claim Me (Book 2)In book 2 we sort of carry on where we left off from the first. This book had a little more sex in it, but there wasn't much more, which did leave me a little disappointed. I also did prefer Damien's character in the second book then in the first, but I still wasn't on Team Damien just yet. I adored Nikki's character in the second, I found she had gained a lot more inner strength but
still showed that she had her weaknesses no matter how much she tried to fight and hide from them.
In the second book, Nikki has a bit more of a 'celebrity status' and this does change Nikki's overall outlook, but her personality is very much the same and she's very insecure about things.
Towards the end of the second book though, I couldn't decide if I hated Damien or if I liked him. I'm not one for secrets - and he did spring out a huge one, and lied to Nikki. Which, with the entirety of the lie, pissed me off with the character (I know its not real, but I get very immersed when I read!)
I did feel for Nikki on the job front though, as she didn't really have much luck. But she did have amazing sex...
I did find this book focused a lot on the romance and developing feelings between the two characters. Although I did like the fact that her friends weren't always at the forefront of the storyline, but did add to it in dramatic effects as well. It was perfectly balanced.
Complete Me (Book 3)
Well, out of all three books I found this one the most emotional. To me it had the most impact, and quenched my desire for the characters to become more true to themselves and to each other. I personally thought in this book we saw the raw'er more real side of the multi billionaire, universe running, sex god who played tennis - and it was refreshing.
I also liked how when Julie Kenner wrote this trilogy, that Nikki's character didn't drastically change overnight since being with Damien, which I found in Fifty Shades and a bit in the Crossfire series, that the characters just miraculously adapted to the new life a lot easier then what someone in reality would.
I think this book also had a rather dramatic, yet adorably sweet ending. Admittedly, I cried and definitely got wound up into all the drama.
My only fault with this book was, the sex was phenomenal - when we had it. I personally thought in the third book, we didn't get a lot of the thoroughly detailed sex, only Nikki's want/desire for Damien and to have it. I think had there been a few more detailed times, it would have improved the book slightly.
AND... What a cliffhanger, yet absolutely amazing bombshell at the end of the book!!!!
Overall
I really enjoyed the Stark Trilogy, I still personally have the Crossfire series as my number 1, but this does par up well with Fifty Shades. I think there could've been a few improvements here or there - but I really liked how the characters developed and I did like how Nikki's character changed, but only slightly as time went on.
My only main fault with the whole Trilogy is the fact that I don't hardly recall Nikki ever having a period?! Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was all the sex and none of mother nature popping her head in? The only other fault is that, I know there are mini little follow up Novella's about Nikki and Damien which Kenner has written BUT if you don't own a kindle you can't read them, as I can't find them in paperback (annoying).
However I do know there is a spin off about Jamie called Tame Me - so if you want to find out more about Nikki's best friend/roommate this is meant to be a good read!
I would totally recommend this if you enjoyed Fifty Shades and want a storyline very similar with a mix of the Crossfire series and Fifty Shades.
Emma Victoria
xoxoxox
So as soon as I finished the Fifty Shades (FS) Trilogy I started the Crossfire series, I only got the first 3 books (and waited for the 4th book to be released on the 18th November; I will review this book along with when the 5th book is released although its probably ages away to being released). I'm going to review this like I did the FS Review, each book by itself.
Bared to You (Book 1)
Gideon pretty much just wants his own way, and Eva is, well, a bit stubborn and I think she is for the completely right reason. The book moves along a little quicker then FS and the way in which they meet is also a bit different, if not a little more realistic? I did like the fact the book moved along a little quicker, and I did think that Sylvia Day actually took more care and more depth into the sex scenes in this book. The sex scenes were seriously intense and erotic - and I mean that. All I'm saying is Gideon's Parents House and Magdalene and the Limo.
I think looking at the characters, Gideon is much more likely to notice and react quickly to the fact he's screwed up, like an almost immediate reaction - he is much more needy and paranoid in my opinion. Eva is stubborn, and its very obvious she has a lot of issues in trusting people, an sometimes even Gideon. I think towards the end of Chapter 18, you can see the two's trust and relationship being pushed quite far, especially for Eva.
I really enjoyed the first book, I jumped straight into the second without a moment's delay! I really like the fact that both the two main characters are pretty screwed up from their pasts, and not just one. I feel you still get that mystery of the two characters, trying to figure both out and figure if they really 'can' work or not. To conclude, I would definitely say if you enjoyed the FS trilogy then you have to give this book a go - I would say Gideon and Eva are a bit different to Christian and Ana but they have a lot more depth and are possibly in a more intense relationship.
LOVE - Gideon and Eva if I'm going to be honest. I like how they both have a lot of issues they need to resolve. I also like the fact Eva also comes from a wealthy background herself, so she can appreciate Gideon's wealth better (unlike Ana who is in denial of CG's Wealth in FS)
HATE - I personally was not digging the whole 'all characters seem to be beautiful and perfect' thing. I mean I get that her friend Cary is a model etc and that but it just kind of seems everyone is kind of beautiful and amazing,
Reflected in You (Book 2)
The second book started out following straight on from the ending of the first book, just the next morning. I found the second book a bit more tense then the first one. I was on the edge a lot of the time, trying to figure why it was happening and how it was to be resolved. There is also a HUGE plot twist at the end - I think what we can learn from Gideon's character is to take him literally, what he says is what he means.
I did feel a lot more sympathy for Eva in this book - mainly because it was like one thing after another, and she was on an emotional roller-coaster that never ended. I do think the way she reacted a lot of the time was rational, and if I'm honest I just want to give her a hug. I began to take a tiny dislike to Gideon with the way he treats Eva in this book, despite for all the good reason he may have to do so. But he soon made me like him again with the sex scenes in this book (although, most are actually towards the first half of the book, with the second half being a lot less focused on the sex, but the intensity of having none).
I really loved the second book for showing that 2 people who are majorly (pardon my language) fucked up to be so determined to make the relationship work, for me it shows that they aren't conventional but are desperate to try for what they have and develop that in a way they feel comfortable (obviously with Gideon taking control!).
LOVE That the relationship for Gideon and Eva isn't perfect - but more screwed up. Its the fact they want to prove people wrong.
HATE I found this consistent in both the second and third books - the fact we are given information like we've only just met the character when its just been a little while since they were mentioned! It drove me crazy!!!
Entwined with You (Book 3)
I think the key overall summary of this book is 'plot twists' and 'intense sex'. So many plot twists in this book, especially from the last few chapters - I think I nearly died at 2am when reading the last few chapters as it was all so unexpected.
I think if you are expecting 'closure' from the end of book 2, you can definitely think again. I think this book will just make you even more confused on Gideon and Eva's relationship. Despite all the drama and shocks in this book I found myself still getting completely wrapped up into why Gideon is the way he is - I personally want to know everything and completely get why Eva wants to know too. I think the major plot twist at the end is completely unexpected from my view - and supremely quick.
In this book I definitely think Gideon flourishes more and you begin to realise its not about him - all will make sense if you choose to read the book. This book definitely has a little more humour to it as well - some of the jokes that came out genuinely made me giggle more then they should have; again this gave the book more of a humorous and enjoyable feel.
LOVE The fact there is a little more romance; and despite it not being much we have a small insight into Gideon's past and we can understand the way he works sometimes. Oh and the aeroplane sex... Jesus that was hot...
HATE The dropped stories - I just found that some leads were dropped in the story like we will come back to them later. Like at the end when Gideon, Eva, Cary, and Eva's parents go to a function and Eva see's someone - its just dropped. Ugh frustrating.
Overall
If I'm going to be honest, I was rather sceptical of this series to start with, as I didn't think that the books would live up to the claims that its 'better' then FS - well I think the book proved me wrong. I would argue however that I do think this was written better, and the plots aren't EXACTLY the same (like some people claimed), which was refreshing in itself.
One of the big things that bugged me in all three of the books, had to be that some sex scenes were written in great depth, and real good depth too - but then if they had follow up sex near on after (which happened frequently) it would cover about 5-6 lines and that's it. I personally found that majorly frustrating and think Day could've done that a bit better in my opinion.
The only other big criticism is the release dates for the next books - I know this is not Day's fault, but the publishing house. Jesus, I just feel lucky I only had to wait 2 months for the 4th book to be released - I know many people have waited over a year. I am also confused on how many more there are actually going to be?! Some people have said five in total, some six and some people even said seven. So if you know please let me know in the comments!!
Emma Victoria
xoxox
