Reflected in You by Sylvia Day
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Crazy Plot, Crazy Story And I Reluctantly Loved It
“Our relationship was swiftly becoming a minefield of words left unsaid and secrets not shared.”
FINAL DECISION: The plot is crazy and these two people are incredibly messed up and thus continue to muddle their way through a largely disfunctional relationship, but I find the entirety of the book so compelling that I can’t help but turn pages and then buy the next book. I can’t decide if it is like watching a train wreck or a soap opera.
THE STORY: PLEASE DON’T READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE FIRST BOOK IF YOU MIND SPOILERS!!
This book continues the story of Gideon Cross and Eva Tramell who met and began a sexual and emotional relationship in book one of the series. The two both experienced childhood sexual abuse which has not been well dealt with. Each has serious problems because of the abuse which effects their ability to engage and sustain a relationship on an emotional level. Gideon and Eva’s relationship is threatened by Gideon’s continued refusal to talk about his past and his keeping secrets from Eva. Eva acts out and almost sabotages the relationship as well. Past loves and their abuse continue to break them apart.
OPINION: This book has a plot but I especially liked that the entirety of the story is keep revealed until the last couple of pages. Because the book is told in first person from Eva’s point of view, Gideon’s motivations remain concealed until the end. For me, I was surprised by what was happening in the margins of this book. In beginning this book, readers should understand that this story is about the internal change of these characters more than the plot. As a result, progress between these two is slow and often times feels glacial with many setbacks. I think that because I know that there are five books in the series, the pace of the relationship change doesn’t bother me. This is definitely a long term project. This book also slips into a crazy plot that is compelling but unbelievable. On the other hand, the problems that these two abuse survivors face feels more real than books where all the past is neatly resolved in 400 pages.
WORTH MENTIONING: Less sex in this book than in the first (which seemed to have a sexual scene on every other page) but that is a good thing.
CONNECTED BOOKS: REFLECTED IN YOU is the second book in the Crossfire series. It should not be read out of order. This series needs to be read in order as it tells one complete story.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.