Review: Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn't stay away. I didn't want to. He was my addiction... my every desire... mine.

My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful... except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity.

We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession...

*me at page 182*

I’m done! I just can’t take all this back and forth and back and forth non-sense any more!

*Me five minutes later*

No Octavia! You have invested too many emotions, too much time, and a month long library wait list to have this book! You. Will. Finish IT!  You will not enjoy it, you may throw it when it’s over but got-dammit you will finish it.

*6 seconds after finishing it*

I don’t even know where to begin about the complete level of “what the hell?!!” I felt while reading this. After the emotional investment and attachment I made with “Bared to You” I expected “Reflected in You” to be epic. I expected it to sweep me off my feet and show me that even really messed up crazy people have a shot at love.  I wanted to see Gideon and Ava grow as people, as a couple, and as friends. I wanted so bad for Gideon to open up and for Ava to grown the hell up. Maybe I wanted too much. Maybe I didn’t want it enough. Whatever the case may be, none of it happened. Yes the hot and steamy sex was still there, but the story had lost a lot of the substance I loved with “Bared to You”.

The main reason I loved the first book was because I had finally found two characters that had the balls to be adults. Ava and Gideon not only knew their flaws but they owned up to them too, and they were willing to go to therapy together to help get through the flaws. Two adults who were willing to fight for each other even when it went outside their comfort zone. Yes book one had drama, but it also had a real story!

Then you get into book two and I had to seriously question if this was the same story I had fallen in love with only a few weeks ago. Ava went overboard with her jealousy issues, and while I know a picture is worth a thousand words I also feel that if you are going to leave someone leave them! Don’t accuse them of infidelity, hear them out, accept that they are telling the truth just to hang it over their head later. If you believe him, believe him 100%. If there is even a little doubt own up to that and walk away until you know the truth. If her wishy washy “I believe you/you’re lying” didn’t piss me off enough her constant poking did. I understand Gideon is seriously messed up and I understand wanting to know more, but you have to let him come to that on his own. Forcing someone to empty their soul to you just isn’t right. If you feel like you don’t “know” the man then start with the basics. What’s your favorite movie? Where do you like to travel? What’s your favorite time of year? You don’t just dive into: So who molested you as a child and why do you hate your mother on a molecular level? I mean come on! Love or no love, you have known each other for a month. Don’t rush him into digging up something he isn’t ready to face head on.

Next you have Gideon. This sexy hunk of man is messed up on a level that I didn’t even know existed. I respect Ava for standing by him and trying to help him battle his demons, because heaven knows I wouldn’t haven been able to. He was too possessive, too controlling, and a bit stalkery at times. I mean knowing where Shawna’s boyfriend was?! To much for me to handle, and he was scary intense. The only person I’m willing to “kill” for is my princess. But hey whatever floats his boat.

I don’t have the energy or the need to get into the “giant” mystery Gideon was hiding or what her mother saw that day outside of the Crossfire. I don’t feel like getting into how Cary has a tendency to rub me the wrong way (I lost all respect/hope with the orgy). I just can’t. I’m so pissed off and sad that this book didn’t do the first justice, and if it wasn’t for that emotional attachment I felt for the first book I would immediately take book three off my TBR list.

When it comes to my library I will grab it (maybe). I won’t count down the days until it is released. I won’t flock to Barnes & Noble to grab the first (or the last, for that matter) copy. And I definitely won’t spend my money on it. “Reflected in You” hurt me too much.