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Slow Burn #3
Safe at Last
The third book in the beloved #1 bestselling author's sexy, romantic suspense Slow Burn series…
They say young love doesn't last, but a girl from the wrong side of the tracks with unique abilities and the hometown golden boy were determined to defy the odds. For Zack Covington, Anna-Grace—his "Gracie"—was the one. Until one night forever alters the course of their future, when a devastated Gracie disappears without a trace, leaving Zack to agonize over what happened to the girl he loved. As the years pass, his desperate efforts to find her uncovered nothing.
Now working for Devereaux Security, he stumbles across a painting featuring a special place only he and Gracie would know. The image is too perfectly rendered for it to be coincidence. His Gracie must be alive. When he finally tracks her down, he is shocked—and heart-broken—to discover the wounded shell of the girl he once knew and still loves. Her psychic gifts are gone, and worse, she believes he betrayed her all those years ago.
Zack has enemies, and once his weakness is discovered, Gracie becomes a target for revenge. He'll have to save her before he can earn her trust and her love. And he vows they'll never be torn apart again.
They say young love doesn't last, but a girl from the wrong side of the tracks with unique abilities and the hometown golden boy were determined to defy the odds. For Zack Covington, Anna-Grace—his "Gracie"—was the one. Until one night forever alters the course of their future, when a devastated Gracie disappears without a trace, leaving Zack to agonize over what happened to the girl he loved. As the years pass, his desperate efforts to find her uncovered nothing.
Now working for Devereaux Security, he stumbles across a painting featuring a special place only he and Gracie would know. The image is too perfectly rendered for it to be coincidence. His Gracie must be alive. When he finally tracks her down, he is shocked—and heart-broken—to discover the wounded shell of the girl he once knew and still loves. Her psychic gifts are gone, and worse, she believes he betrayed her all those years ago.
Zack has enemies, and once his weakness is discovered, Gracie becomes a target for revenge. He'll have to save her before he can earn her trust and her love. And he vows they'll never be torn apart again.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2015
About the author
Maya Banks
249 books21.6k followersMaya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews
July 15, 2015
2.5 Stars
I have to say, I struggled with my rating on this one. I adore all things Maya Banks, but sadly her few recent releases have been mostly lackluster for me at best. The Breathless trilogy didn't quite work for me and so I was hesitant to try the Slow Burn trilogy. But I couldn't stay away after reading that synopsis. I'm a sucker for second chance romance and lovers reunited, and Safe At Last sounded like it would pack quite the emotional punch.
The series is very appropriately titled because this book was definitely a slow burn. If you're expecting an action packed and quick paced read, this is certainly not that. While this is the third book in the trilogy, it's easily read as a standalone (as I read it as one) but I'm also thinking I missed a few integral moments of backstory from the previous two books. Though I can't say that I was ever confused or lost while reading.
Zack Covington was desperately in love with Anna-Grace as a young boy. Childhood sweethearts, they planned to spend the rest of their lives together...or at least Zack was until Gracie disappeared from his life without even a word. He's spent the last 12 years looking for her to no avail. Still as in love with her now as he was 12 years ago, no other woman even comes close for him. When a chance encounter brings him face to face with his Gracie, he's shocked that not only is she alive and well, but she's also a shell of the woman that he knew and absolutely terrified of him.
The progression of the story was slow. I mean it was slow. The majority of it is pure narration with not much happening. After spending almost half the book being teased with the possibilities of what could have happened to make Gracie as scared of Zack as she is, I was as frustrated as Zack was with trying to figure it out. I hate to say but the story just dragged and dragged...and dragged. There's a lot of backstory given but there's not much happening. Ultimately I think what lessened my enjoyment was the romance truly began to feel secondary. The majority of the book is spent on getting behind the mystery of what happened all those years ago. There's not much in terms of the progression of the relationship between Zack and Gracie. As a matter of fact, the only time they share any intimacy was basically at the very end. Like at . I don't necessarily need a lot of sex or sensuality in my books to make me enjoy them. Not at all. But this type of story is not quite what I've come to associate with Maya Banks books so it caught me off guard, I supposed. I think I just needed a little more romance and relationship development. It felt like they go to Gracie hating him for the mystery of what happened 12 years ago, to understanding what happened and moving on from it. The transition from one to the other was slow dragging and then sudden, if that even make sense.
I also found the mystery behind what happened to be entirely too predictable. I knew basically from the very beginning who was behind everything so it was very anticlimactic for me.
The writing was fantastic and I did love the emotions that were packed behind it. Zack's love for Gracie was beautiful to read about. It's not often you read about a hero that loves so deep that even when the heroine isn't in his life, he doesn't turn to meaningless sex with other women to lessen his loss. His love was unwavering and I really loved his character. Unfortunately the story was a bit too slow paced for me. I don't know what I'd categorize this as. Romantic Suspense? Not really since it doesn't offer much in terms of action. Maybe mystery with the romance basically being secondary. I'd definitely read any and all future releases from Maya Banks but sadly this one fell a bit flat for me.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
For more reviews visit
I have to say, I struggled with my rating on this one. I adore all things Maya Banks, but sadly her few recent releases have been mostly lackluster for me at best. The Breathless trilogy didn't quite work for me and so I was hesitant to try the Slow Burn trilogy. But I couldn't stay away after reading that synopsis. I'm a sucker for second chance romance and lovers reunited, and Safe At Last sounded like it would pack quite the emotional punch.
The series is very appropriately titled because this book was definitely a slow burn. If you're expecting an action packed and quick paced read, this is certainly not that. While this is the third book in the trilogy, it's easily read as a standalone (as I read it as one) but I'm also thinking I missed a few integral moments of backstory from the previous two books. Though I can't say that I was ever confused or lost while reading.
Zack Covington was desperately in love with Anna-Grace as a young boy. Childhood sweethearts, they planned to spend the rest of their lives together...or at least Zack was until Gracie disappeared from his life without even a word. He's spent the last 12 years looking for her to no avail. Still as in love with her now as he was 12 years ago, no other woman even comes close for him. When a chance encounter brings him face to face with his Gracie, he's shocked that not only is she alive and well, but she's also a shell of the woman that he knew and absolutely terrified of him.
The progression of the story was slow. I mean it was slow. The majority of it is pure narration with not much happening. After spending almost half the book being teased with the possibilities of what could have happened to make Gracie as scared of Zack as she is, I was as frustrated as Zack was with trying to figure it out. I hate to say but the story just dragged and dragged...and dragged. There's a lot of backstory given but there's not much happening. Ultimately I think what lessened my enjoyment was the romance truly began to feel secondary. The majority of the book is spent on getting behind the mystery of what happened all those years ago. There's not much in terms of the progression of the relationship between Zack and Gracie. As a matter of fact, the only time they share any intimacy was basically at the very end. Like at . I don't necessarily need a lot of sex or sensuality in my books to make me enjoy them. Not at all. But this type of story is not quite what I've come to associate with Maya Banks books so it caught me off guard, I supposed. I think I just needed a little more romance and relationship development. It felt like they go to Gracie hating him for the mystery of what happened 12 years ago, to understanding what happened and moving on from it. The transition from one to the other was slow dragging and then sudden, if that even make sense.
I also found the mystery behind what happened to be entirely too predictable. I knew basically from the very beginning who was behind everything so it was very anticlimactic for me.
The writing was fantastic and I did love the emotions that were packed behind it. Zack's love for Gracie was beautiful to read about. It's not often you read about a hero that loves so deep that even when the heroine isn't in his life, he doesn't turn to meaningless sex with other women to lessen his loss. His love was unwavering and I really loved his character. Unfortunately the story was a bit too slow paced for me. I don't know what I'd categorize this as. Romantic Suspense? Not really since it doesn't offer much in terms of action. Maybe mystery with the romance basically being secondary. I'd definitely read any and all future releases from Maya Banks but sadly this one fell a bit flat for me.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
For more reviews visit
June 25, 2015
It's live: * Amazon US * Amazon Uk *
Safe At Last is a contemporary second chance romance surrounded by intrigue with a dash of the supernatural.
The beginning is intriguing and engaging. It captured my attention and had me wondering what had occurred within the protagonist's shared history that had so dramatically pulled them apart all those years ago. Two people who were everything to each other..... I felt the rumblings of a misunderstanding but the conflict runs so much deeper.
The premise and the story arc felt highly appealing to me. Second chance romances have the capacity to make my emotions soar. For my personal tastes I needed the story pace to increase somewhat, there's a little too much repetition in terms of emotion, thought and dialogue. I felt the couple spent too much time apart and in conflict. I wanted to feel and experience more of their connection and bond, whether in their past or present, which by virtue would have driven my angst levels. I could easily have traded some of the male protagonist's crime fighting company elements or intrigue aspects which I sometimes felt were lacking in terms of moving the story forward.
There are moments I was fully invested in the characters and story and other moments that left me a little perplexed but ultimately the evolution of the story is quite lovely. There are elements that I thoroughly enjoyed and towards the end I felt the anticipation and the emotion between the protagonists that I'd been craving all the way through.
This book is great for those readers whom enjoy a lighter suspenseful read with the added element of a love story entwined.
Note: Safe At Last is the third book in a series. Reader knowledge of the previous books would no doubt provide the added luxury of knowing the additional characters more intimately but I don't believe this detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story, I read it comfortably as a standalone.
Advanced copy provided by the publishers, via Edelweiss, in exchange for my honest review thoughts
October 29, 2016
1,5 stars
Safe at Last...#3 in Maya Banks's Slow Burn Series is not doing it for me!!
I have been giving this series a chance. The first 2 books were pretty dismal and the 3rd is not much better!!!
The story started off okay but just never went anywhere. All this second chance at love...and the whole interaction between the hero and heroine was too ridiculous for words.
All that inner dialogue.......just shut up!!!! So bloody annoying. And all the repetition...over and over and over...........
Slow....pretty much says what this series is so far.........sloooooooooow......and a total snooze!!!!
Why am I wasting my precious reading moments on this total loser of a series!!!! I think I will give the next books in this series a miss!!!
Safe at Last...#3 in Maya Banks's Slow Burn Series is not doing it for me!!
I have been giving this series a chance. The first 2 books were pretty dismal and the 3rd is not much better!!!
The story started off okay but just never went anywhere. All this second chance at love...and the whole interaction between the hero and heroine was too ridiculous for words.
All that inner dialogue.......just shut up!!!! So bloody annoying. And all the repetition...over and over and over...........
Slow....pretty much says what this series is so far.........sloooooooooow......and a total snooze!!!!
Why am I wasting my precious reading moments on this total loser of a series!!!! I think I will give the next books in this series a miss!!!
June 23, 2015
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review via Edelweiss.
One of my ultimate favorite themes in romance books are second chance romance and when you toss in suspense into the story line, then you have my full undivided attention. And in Maya Banks', Safe at Last , the third and final installment to the Slow Burn Series, Ms. Banks puts to test the power of LOVE. So when two people are meant for each other, will they prove love knows no time or distance?
In the first two books, we were introduced to the Devereaux brothers, Beau and Caleb, who both runs and operates a successful private security firm, which so happens to employ their friend Zack Covington. Zack has always been in love with his first love, Anna-Grace also known as "Gracie." She was the only woman who owned his heart, mind, body and soul. And so when Gracie suddenly disappeared and left Zack, he was completely shocked and heartbroken. A part of him died that day, when he didn't know what happened to her and why she left him. So call it fate, luck or what not, when Zack goes to an art gallery, he didn't expect to run into his Gracie. So after so many years apart, will Zack get his answer as to why she left him?
But before Zack could get his answers, an unforeseen threat surfaces that leaves him going to protect Gracie when someone tries to threaten the people associated with the Devereaux Security Services. As Zack and Gracie are forced together, will he able to show her that his love for her never died. And will they be able to rekindle their love after so many years? Or is too late for them?
Safe At Last was definitely a slow burn romantic suspense read. As a reader, you really feel the emotional turmoil as to why Zack is confused as to why Gracie is fearful of him. If you ever read a Maya Banks book then you know she has a way to pull in her readers to get lost in the story line as secrets and truths are exposed and revealed. This book had the suspense part nailed down but I felt it lacked the romantic aspect when it came to Gracie and Zack working out their issues. I really wished there was more in depth dialogue and scenes that showcased them rekindling their romance and love. But overall, I did enjoy this book. As always, the writing was captivating and the emotional journey of Zack and Gracie was tangible.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly... Maya Banks
One of my ultimate favorite themes in romance books are second chance romance and when you toss in suspense into the story line, then you have my full undivided attention. And in Maya Banks', Safe at Last , the third and final installment to the Slow Burn Series, Ms. Banks puts to test the power of LOVE. So when two people are meant for each other, will they prove love knows no time or distance?
In the first two books, we were introduced to the Devereaux brothers, Beau and Caleb, who both runs and operates a successful private security firm, which so happens to employ their friend Zack Covington. Zack has always been in love with his first love, Anna-Grace also known as "Gracie." She was the only woman who owned his heart, mind, body and soul. And so when Gracie suddenly disappeared and left Zack, he was completely shocked and heartbroken. A part of him died that day, when he didn't know what happened to her and why she left him. So call it fate, luck or what not, when Zack goes to an art gallery, he didn't expect to run into his Gracie. So after so many years apart, will Zack get his answer as to why she left him?
But before Zack could get his answers, an unforeseen threat surfaces that leaves him going to protect Gracie when someone tries to threaten the people associated with the Devereaux Security Services. As Zack and Gracie are forced together, will he able to show her that his love for her never died. And will they be able to rekindle their love after so many years? Or is too late for them?
Safe At Last was definitely a slow burn romantic suspense read. As a reader, you really feel the emotional turmoil as to why Zack is confused as to why Gracie is fearful of him. If you ever read a Maya Banks book then you know she has a way to pull in her readers to get lost in the story line as secrets and truths are exposed and revealed. This book had the suspense part nailed down but I felt it lacked the romantic aspect when it came to Gracie and Zack working out their issues. I really wished there was more in depth dialogue and scenes that showcased them rekindling their romance and love. But overall, I did enjoy this book. As always, the writing was captivating and the emotional journey of Zack and Gracie was tangible.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly... Maya Banks
June 23, 2015
4 Forgiving Stars
Safe at Last is a standalone and is part of the Slow Burn series.
This is Zack and Gracie’s story.
Zack and Gracie were high school sweethearts and were 100% in love. I loved that there weren’t any flash backs. When you start the read, it goes to the heart of the story. Zack loved Gracie and he was going places too. He was a football player and was very good at it. Gracie and Zack were saving themselves for each other and wanted to spend the rest of their life together.
Until Gracie disappears
Twelve years later Zack, still in love with Gracie, is still trying to forget her. He doesn’t have relationships and doesn’t know how to love any women. He misses Gracie and thinks about her all the time.
Then, he meets her again.
Where has Gracie been? What happened to her? Why is Gracie acting so different?
This is a very tragic and heavily angst filled book. There’s tons tons tons of angst in this one. When Zack meets Gracie again, it’s not the reunion he hoped for. Gracie **GASP** is terrified of Zack! It breaks my heart to read that part and you just FEEL for Zack.
She is screaming out loud petrified of Zack and you just do not know why?!
Again, you are angry and sad for Zack and want Gracie to just tell him what happened! Gracie is too upset and very time Zack pressures Gracie to tell him what’s wrong, something happens. A good deal of the book you are wondering what happened with Gracie. Zack tries very hard to piece together her past and does everything he can to reconnect, but Gracie puts up major walls.
Safe at Last reads very differently from the first two books. This one is less paranormal, less suspenseful and less steamy. There’s not any steam to be honest. The story is mainly between Gracie and Zack and what happened that cause Gracie to go missing years ago. I would say this was a drama filled romance.
I wanted to pull my hair out many times because I just wanted to know what happened. I understand Gracie is upset, but when a man tells you again and again he loves you, you have to think he may not know what happened. I love Zack’s love for Gracie and I love that he will stop at nothing to get her back. I love it when the Hero is head-over-heels in love with the Heroine.
Like I said, it’s a little different from the previous two books, but Maya Banks sure knows how to keep you on your toes.
AN ARC was provided
I got to meet Maya Banks at a book signing. She was recovering from surgery and she was pushing through the pain for her fans! She made each fan special and unique. Her pen ran out of ink and she asked a fan for another pen and she signed my tote twice! She's an amazing author. More book signing photos HERE
REVIEW | AMAZON
REVIEW | AMAZON
AMAZON
Safe at Last is a standalone and is part of the Slow Burn series.
This is Zack and Gracie’s story.
Zack and Gracie were high school sweethearts and were 100% in love. I loved that there weren’t any flash backs. When you start the read, it goes to the heart of the story. Zack loved Gracie and he was going places too. He was a football player and was very good at it. Gracie and Zack were saving themselves for each other and wanted to spend the rest of their life together.
Until Gracie disappears
Twelve years later Zack, still in love with Gracie, is still trying to forget her. He doesn’t have relationships and doesn’t know how to love any women. He misses Gracie and thinks about her all the time.
Then, he meets her again.
Where has Gracie been? What happened to her? Why is Gracie acting so different?
This is a very tragic and heavily angst filled book. There’s tons tons tons of angst in this one. When Zack meets Gracie again, it’s not the reunion he hoped for. Gracie **GASP** is terrified of Zack! It breaks my heart to read that part and you just FEEL for Zack.
She is screaming out loud petrified of Zack and you just do not know why?!
Again, you are angry and sad for Zack and want Gracie to just tell him what happened! Gracie is too upset and very time Zack pressures Gracie to tell him what’s wrong, something happens. A good deal of the book you are wondering what happened with Gracie. Zack tries very hard to piece together her past and does everything he can to reconnect, but Gracie puts up major walls.
"I won’t give up. I won’t go away. I won’t forget. I’ve waited twelve years for this moment, and I’ll be damned if I walk away from you like you walked away from me."
Safe at Last reads very differently from the first two books. This one is less paranormal, less suspenseful and less steamy. There’s not any steam to be honest. The story is mainly between Gracie and Zack and what happened that cause Gracie to go missing years ago. I would say this was a drama filled romance.
I wanted to pull my hair out many times because I just wanted to know what happened. I understand Gracie is upset, but when a man tells you again and again he loves you, you have to think he may not know what happened. I love Zack’s love for Gracie and I love that he will stop at nothing to get her back. I love it when the Hero is head-over-heels in love with the Heroine.
Like I said, it’s a little different from the previous two books, but Maya Banks sure knows how to keep you on your toes.
AN ARC was provided
I got to meet Maya Banks at a book signing. She was recovering from surgery and she was pushing through the pain for her fans! She made each fan special and unique. Her pen ran out of ink and she asked a fan for another pen and she signed my tote twice! She's an amazing author. More book signing photos HERE
REVIEW | AMAZON
REVIEW | AMAZON
AMAZON
June 23, 2015
Safe at Last is the third book in the Burn series, and it’s Zack’s turn to find his happiness. Sadly, though, when he does, not only is she terrified of him, he has absolutely no idea why. Why does the girl he loved as a teenager who he thought was dead and gone feel such horror when she looks at him? She begs for him to go away and absolutely refused to even speak to him about the reasons why.
Well, get ready guys. I am a massive fan of Maya Banks, (MASSIVE) and the content in Safe at Last is traumatic and not easy for the heroine to go through and reveal. It's revealed at a very slow pace. After the action and adrenaline-pumping storyline of book two, In His Keeping, this felt like a maudlin journey of withheld information and a lengthy, drawn out battle for answers.
By the time I reached the end I felt tired.I do hope the series continues and gets back to the live wire reads of the previous two books. Will I continue with the series if there is more to come? ABSOLUTELY. Sometimes a book just doesn’t resonate as well as the previous ones and that’s okay. Here’s hoping the next one does! :)
*ARC provided by HarperCollins Publishing via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
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Well, get ready guys. I am a massive fan of Maya Banks, (MASSIVE) and the content in Safe at Last is traumatic and not easy for the heroine to go through and reveal. It's revealed at a very slow pace. After the action and adrenaline-pumping storyline of book two, In His Keeping, this felt like a maudlin journey of withheld information and a lengthy, drawn out battle for answers.
By the time I reached the end I felt tired.I do hope the series continues and gets back to the live wire reads of the previous two books. Will I continue with the series if there is more to come? ABSOLUTELY. Sometimes a book just doesn’t resonate as well as the previous ones and that’s okay. Here’s hoping the next one does! :)
*ARC provided by HarperCollins Publishing via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
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August 18, 2016
Safe at Last by Maya Banks is a 2015 Avon publication.
This third installment in the ‘Slow Burn’ series finally found its footing for me, for the most part.
This is Zack’s story and I have to say this installment is darker than the previous two chapters in the series.
Zack was slated for a career in football and had his life all mapped out with his young girlfriend, Gracie. But, when he left for college, Gracie disappeared and Zack’s life went into a tailspin. For the last twelve years, Zack has been haunted by Gracie, not knowing if she was even alive.
Gracie spent the last twelve years hating Zack for a horrific betrayal. When the two come face to face again after all this time, the whole shocking truth will finally be revealed and the shock waves will reverberate for a long time to come.
Of the three books I’ve read in this paranormal/romantic suspense series, this one is the best. This story is emotional, and deals with uncomfortable subject matter, but that is why it’s so compelling.
There is still an issue with repetitiveness, and the story dragged a little here and there, but the Devereaux brothers were much tamer in this installment and I also enjoyed the banter with Eliza and her larger role in the story.
Hopefully, the balance in this book is a signal of better things to come with this series and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next with Eliza in “With Every Breath”, coming out later this month.
3.5 rounded to 4
This third installment in the ‘Slow Burn’ series finally found its footing for me, for the most part.
This is Zack’s story and I have to say this installment is darker than the previous two chapters in the series.
Zack was slated for a career in football and had his life all mapped out with his young girlfriend, Gracie. But, when he left for college, Gracie disappeared and Zack’s life went into a tailspin. For the last twelve years, Zack has been haunted by Gracie, not knowing if she was even alive.
Gracie spent the last twelve years hating Zack for a horrific betrayal. When the two come face to face again after all this time, the whole shocking truth will finally be revealed and the shock waves will reverberate for a long time to come.
Of the three books I’ve read in this paranormal/romantic suspense series, this one is the best. This story is emotional, and deals with uncomfortable subject matter, but that is why it’s so compelling.
There is still an issue with repetitiveness, and the story dragged a little here and there, but the Devereaux brothers were much tamer in this installment and I also enjoyed the banter with Eliza and her larger role in the story.
Hopefully, the balance in this book is a signal of better things to come with this series and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next with Eliza in “With Every Breath”, coming out later this month.
3.5 rounded to 4
June 14, 2015
Oh man. This one started off with such potential but just never made it anywhere and then the last 20% was just ridiculous. Totally bummed especially after enjoying the first two books.
July 17, 2018
DNF. Couldn’t do it. The writing was just too horrible.
August 19, 2016
I can't finish this book. It's very repetitive. The same thoughts, statements in the H's head, over and over again. The male friend of the h just repeated what he said only ten pages, or less, before. Yes, he WAS interested in the h but realized she needed just a friend. Gah.
Twelve years. He looked for her. For twelve years. He planned their lives. Where they would live. How many kids. Then, poof, she was gone. Twelve years he's looked for her. Home. kids. Football. Twelve years.
This sounded so good, can't believe I paid so much for it.
Twelve years. He looked for her. For twelve years. He planned their lives. Where they would live. How many kids. Then, poof, she was gone. Twelve years he's looked for her. Home. kids. Football. Twelve years.
This sounded so good, can't believe I paid so much for it.
August 1, 2015
Full review posted at After Dark Book Lovers blog http://afterdarkbooklovers.com/2015/0...
The Bottom Line
Issues aside, I liked it. I did feel a bit lost at times, so I would recommend this for fans of this series. Zack was a gem of a hero, though - those who adore their alpha heroes to be completely and utterly devoted to their ladies may want to check him out. I’m glad I read it.
The Bottom Line
Issues aside, I liked it. I did feel a bit lost at times, so I would recommend this for fans of this series. Zack was a gem of a hero, though - those who adore their alpha heroes to be completely and utterly devoted to their ladies may want to check him out. I’m glad I read it.
July 2, 2015
Ugh. Where do I begin? The first 70% is depressing. (See my comment.). Then it magically changes, and the last 30% is girl power action. And throughout the book is the premise that tru wuv is forever, even if you haven't seen each other in 12 years and have made huge changes. Doesn't matter. You don't need to get to know the person again. This was a depressing snoozer. And maybe my last MB.
June 17, 2015
3.5 "2nd Chance at Lost Love" Stars!
The third book in the Slow Burn series features threads of many different romance sub-genres, ensuring that there is a little something for every type of romance lover. From the mildly suspenseful plot and paranormal elements (featuring a heroine who has a mind reading gift) to the second chance at first love romantic overtone, Safe At Last covers a lot of ground within the romance genre landscape.
As this is the third book in the Slow Burn Series, I feel it is worth mentioning that Safe At Last could easily be read as a standalone, as the primary romance is fully explained within this book. That said, there certainly is some overlap with characters previously introduced earlier in the series, including the two prior heroines who each have their own unique supernatural gift. Therefore, to the extent you do plan to read the entire series, it is best read in order.
Anna-Grace "Gracie" grew up on the complete opposite spectrum of Zack Covington. While Gracie was considered "trailer trash" by Zack's well to do family--especially his father--Zack nonetheless saw something special in Gracie. Falling hopelessly in love, Zack, even on the verge of a superstar football career, knew that Gracie was the one and only girl for him.
What Zack could never have expected was that one day Gracie would up and leave without even a goodbye. Heartbroken, Zack tried to move on, but over the years, he just could never forget Gracie. Moreover, without Gracie to plan his future with, he let an injury, which he could have come back from, end his football career in its infancy. Instead Zack chose to join Devereaux Security, a private security firm, in the hopes that one day he might be able to use his career skills to uncover what had happened to his Gracie.
Then one day, while on assignment, when he had totally given up all hope, Zack stumbles across a painting that could only have been painted by Gracie. Soon Zack is reunited with Gracie again only to discover that she is deathly afraid of him.
Determined to take full advantage of this second chance, however, Zack is unwilling to take no for an answer and insists on finding out why Gracie is so scared of him and moreover he refuses to stop until he has won over Gracie's heart again. But when a past danger resurfaces, all plans of a first love reunion must be put on hold, while Zack's first priority is to make sure that Gracie never gets hurt again.
All in all, Safe at Last was a decent story. While I wish the suspense and romance angle of the story had been a little more robust, I did feel a connection with the characters. Unfortunately for me, I guessed correctly the source of Gracie's trepidation rather early in the story. I also would have liked to see the second romance blossom more between the characters, instead it felt like as soon as the mystery was solved, their relationship was also immediately restored. Given the long history and unfortunate facts that led to the initial split, I think the story could have benefited from a little more relationship building following the unveiling of the mystery.
Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
The third book in the Slow Burn series features threads of many different romance sub-genres, ensuring that there is a little something for every type of romance lover. From the mildly suspenseful plot and paranormal elements (featuring a heroine who has a mind reading gift) to the second chance at first love romantic overtone, Safe At Last covers a lot of ground within the romance genre landscape.
As this is the third book in the Slow Burn Series, I feel it is worth mentioning that Safe At Last could easily be read as a standalone, as the primary romance is fully explained within this book. That said, there certainly is some overlap with characters previously introduced earlier in the series, including the two prior heroines who each have their own unique supernatural gift. Therefore, to the extent you do plan to read the entire series, it is best read in order.
Anna-Grace "Gracie" grew up on the complete opposite spectrum of Zack Covington. While Gracie was considered "trailer trash" by Zack's well to do family--especially his father--Zack nonetheless saw something special in Gracie. Falling hopelessly in love, Zack, even on the verge of a superstar football career, knew that Gracie was the one and only girl for him.
What Zack could never have expected was that one day Gracie would up and leave without even a goodbye. Heartbroken, Zack tried to move on, but over the years, he just could never forget Gracie. Moreover, without Gracie to plan his future with, he let an injury, which he could have come back from, end his football career in its infancy. Instead Zack chose to join Devereaux Security, a private security firm, in the hopes that one day he might be able to use his career skills to uncover what had happened to his Gracie.
Then one day, while on assignment, when he had totally given up all hope, Zack stumbles across a painting that could only have been painted by Gracie. Soon Zack is reunited with Gracie again only to discover that she is deathly afraid of him.
Determined to take full advantage of this second chance, however, Zack is unwilling to take no for an answer and insists on finding out why Gracie is so scared of him and moreover he refuses to stop until he has won over Gracie's heart again. But when a past danger resurfaces, all plans of a first love reunion must be put on hold, while Zack's first priority is to make sure that Gracie never gets hurt again.
All in all, Safe at Last was a decent story. While I wish the suspense and romance angle of the story had been a little more robust, I did feel a connection with the characters. Unfortunately for me, I guessed correctly the source of Gracie's trepidation rather early in the story. I also would have liked to see the second romance blossom more between the characters, instead it felt like as soon as the mystery was solved, their relationship was also immediately restored. Given the long history and unfortunate facts that led to the initial split, I think the story could have benefited from a little more relationship building following the unveiling of the mystery.
Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2022
Safe At Last is the third installment in the "Slow Burn" series. I will be honest, after loving the second book in the series, I had high expectations of this one and I have to say this book was so ANNOYING! I struggled so much with this book. Especially the first half. Once we get into about 60% of the book, then it does get quite better. I am shocked that I stuck with this one, but to be honest I wanted to find out what happened with this romance, because there was this magnetic pulling into the story where even though there was so elements that were driving me bonkers. I will say that you just have to struggle through it, and if you need to skim over the first half especially over the issues with all the inner dialogue and the heroine's panicked character. Now normally I would have been drawn to the heroine in this scenario, but to be honest she was driving me nuts. Now once the truth all comes out, it makes some sense, but I still feel like she was written in the overly extreme to be honest despite what happened to her. I felt so hard for the hero, and what he has to do to get him and his girl back together. Your heart just breaks for him and how confusing especially it is for him trying to get to the truth. But I ended up really liking the ending and how the story gets resolved.
Overall I found Safe At Last to be an interesting read, that while it had a rough start, ended up being a satisfying read and curious to see what the next book will deliver!
Overall I found Safe At Last to be an interesting read, that while it had a rough start, ended up being a satisfying read and curious to see what the next book will deliver!
August 14, 2018
Zack's story......we finally find out about the love of his life and what happened to her
May 29, 2015
Safe at Last is not a short book, but for me it was a one sitting book. I picked it up and couldn't put it down until I finished. It was that good!
If you've read the other Slow Burn books you'll see all of your favorite characters come back. But this book focuses on Zack. 12 years ago Zack lost the love of his life. He was never sure if Anna-Grace, or Gracie as he called her, disappeared or died. Then unexpectedly he finds her.
Gracie has been through hell. 12 years later she is just starting to recover emotionally. Seeing Zack brings all of her past nightmares back. She is terrified of him and wants nothing to do with him. But when Gracie is hurt, Zack insists upon providing protection with his team.
Safe at Last is not your typical romance. Zack already loves Gracie. Gracie had loved Zack, but now feels betrayed by him. When forced into close proximity everything comes out. Zack works diligently to save his old relationship and to build Gracie's trust.
There is not a lot of steam in this book, but there are so many emotions. While I do usually read books and talk about the chemistry and hotness of the characters, this was different. I loved Zack for his character and integrity. Gracie I also loved. Even though she felt betrayed and terrified she stands up for what she believes in and confronts her fears towards the end. For an emotional wreck she is one of the strongest characters ever.
This was a very powerful, emotional book that I absolutely loved. I give Safe at Last FIVE STARS!
If you've read the other Slow Burn books you'll see all of your favorite characters come back. But this book focuses on Zack. 12 years ago Zack lost the love of his life. He was never sure if Anna-Grace, or Gracie as he called her, disappeared or died. Then unexpectedly he finds her.
Gracie has been through hell. 12 years later she is just starting to recover emotionally. Seeing Zack brings all of her past nightmares back. She is terrified of him and wants nothing to do with him. But when Gracie is hurt, Zack insists upon providing protection with his team.
Safe at Last is not your typical romance. Zack already loves Gracie. Gracie had loved Zack, but now feels betrayed by him. When forced into close proximity everything comes out. Zack works diligently to save his old relationship and to build Gracie's trust.
There is not a lot of steam in this book, but there are so many emotions. While I do usually read books and talk about the chemistry and hotness of the characters, this was different. I loved Zack for his character and integrity. Gracie I also loved. Even though she felt betrayed and terrified she stands up for what she believes in and confronts her fears towards the end. For an emotional wreck she is one of the strongest characters ever.
This was a very powerful, emotional book that I absolutely loved. I give Safe at Last FIVE STARS!
June 24, 2015
This was a pleasant surprise after the last one of this author's books that I tried. Pretty angsty which is fairly normal for this author. I really liked the hero who had been looking for the heroine since she disappeared 12 years ago. The heroine was okay but pretty much a nonentity. There was a fair amount of repetition in this book in people's thoughts which is also fairly normal for MB. The book sort of went off the rails at the end for me when it suddenly changed focus and tone and shifted into action mode. I went "Wait! What?" The heroine totally changed her persona right before our eyes and seemed to know things and feel things that she had not the slightest inkling of on the previous page.
So a decent read but still not really back on the Maya Banks band wagon. If a blurb catches my interest as this one did, I'll continue to give her the ocassional try.
So a decent read but still not really back on the Maya Banks band wagon. If a blurb catches my interest as this one did, I'll continue to give her the ocassional try.
November 22, 2021
This was a bit of a hard one for me to rate. I liked the hero, Zack, but the story just kind of dragged. All of the reviews that say it’s repetitive are dead on. Nothing is said once when it can be said a hundred times. It also deals with a subject matter that I don’t personally enjoy reading about in my recreational time, which didn’t help. Overall it’s an okay book but I’ll definitely never read it again.
All in all, this book wasn’t awful but I’ll never read it again.
All in all, this book wasn’t awful but I’ll never read it again.
June 20, 2015
Dreams Lost
No truer words can express Zack and Anna-Grace’s lives for the past twelve years – the years after their young love was shattered leaving both of them in a state of confusion, fury, and pain. For Zack, the years have been filled with uncertainty, not knowing if his Gracie is alive or dead and wondering why she left him if she is alive. Gracie has lived a life of fear since she was 16, allowing her past to haunt and dominate her present and her feelings of betrayal to consume her. Neither Zack nor Gracie has had any closure on the events that separated them because Zack’s been unable to find her, and Gracie wants nothing to do with the man who shattered her heart. But the past is exactly what they’re going to have to confront when they come face to face and answers are not going to be easily found because one is completely in the dark and the other wants nothing to do with the person who betrayed her in a way she believes there’s no coming back from…can Zack and Gracie’s dreams be reborn or are they too far gone to be found?
As I read Safe At Last, my heart broke for both Zack and Gracie. Maya Banks does a great job of illustrating all of the emotions that the first loves go through as they deal with the fallout of reconnecting and setting facts straight. Both of them feel betrayed by the other and that type of feeling cuts deep and changes a person, is clearly shown in Zack’s frustration to understand what Gracie is accusing him of doing all of the those years ago and Gracie’s overwhelming fear to be anywhere near him.
The plot line centers on Zack and Gracie unearthing the truth about what happened to their relationship twelve years ago, but there is also a secondary storyline that deals with a dangerous enemy threatening their lives. The situation forces them together, and Zack and his teammates must work to protect those they love while Zack also works to understand how he lost the love of his life. Maya Banks seamlessly ties the two situations together, allowing readers to understand what’s at stake for all those involved, but the one aspect I would have liked to see a bit more of is Zack and Gracie’s reconnection…everything that happens after the truth is learned…how the issues are resolved…how they reestablish themselves as a couple. I was waiting for that insight as I rode through the torment and anguish with Zack and Gracie, and I just didn’t feel like enough information was given.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed Zack and Gracie’s story, and I’ll definitely be checking out the first two books in the series.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
4 poison apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
No truer words can express Zack and Anna-Grace’s lives for the past twelve years – the years after their young love was shattered leaving both of them in a state of confusion, fury, and pain. For Zack, the years have been filled with uncertainty, not knowing if his Gracie is alive or dead and wondering why she left him if she is alive. Gracie has lived a life of fear since she was 16, allowing her past to haunt and dominate her present and her feelings of betrayal to consume her. Neither Zack nor Gracie has had any closure on the events that separated them because Zack’s been unable to find her, and Gracie wants nothing to do with the man who shattered her heart. But the past is exactly what they’re going to have to confront when they come face to face and answers are not going to be easily found because one is completely in the dark and the other wants nothing to do with the person who betrayed her in a way she believes there’s no coming back from…can Zack and Gracie’s dreams be reborn or are they too far gone to be found?
As I read Safe At Last, my heart broke for both Zack and Gracie. Maya Banks does a great job of illustrating all of the emotions that the first loves go through as they deal with the fallout of reconnecting and setting facts straight. Both of them feel betrayed by the other and that type of feeling cuts deep and changes a person, is clearly shown in Zack’s frustration to understand what Gracie is accusing him of doing all of the those years ago and Gracie’s overwhelming fear to be anywhere near him.
The plot line centers on Zack and Gracie unearthing the truth about what happened to their relationship twelve years ago, but there is also a secondary storyline that deals with a dangerous enemy threatening their lives. The situation forces them together, and Zack and his teammates must work to protect those they love while Zack also works to understand how he lost the love of his life. Maya Banks seamlessly ties the two situations together, allowing readers to understand what’s at stake for all those involved, but the one aspect I would have liked to see a bit more of is Zack and Gracie’s reconnection…everything that happens after the truth is learned…how the issues are resolved…how they reestablish themselves as a couple. I was waiting for that insight as I rode through the torment and anguish with Zack and Gracie, and I just didn’t feel like enough information was given.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed Zack and Gracie’s story, and I’ll definitely be checking out the first two books in the series.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
4 poison apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
April 5, 2016
The third book in Slow Burn series can be read as a standalone. This 3.5 Star book will pull you in because you will also want to know, WHAT DID ZACK DO???? For me, this part dragged a little too long. It was pretty obvious it was of some kind of sexual nature. The culprit behind what happened to Gracie was not a surprise. Still, this conflict was needed to build up the tension so that Zack and Gracie could have the conversation and hopefully come together again.
I really liked Zack. He is the boy next door nice and super jock combined. He is a good man and the way Ms. Bank describes his devastation moved me. Gracie I was mixed about. She seems like a nice girl but so bloody stubborn. I get she was traumatized. I guess I would have thought she would have confronted him and demanded to know what why he did it. Then again, I'm a totally confrontational person.
The whole "bad guys" thing was a bit odd for me. I think it is because I missed the second book in the series. And apparently the first book didn't stick in my mind which is odd because I usually remember Ms. Bank's stories. Still, this was a page turner for me. The characters were easy to remember. There is terrible pain and angst. There is torture and then violent killing, what more can a gal ask for?
What really impressed me is the description of the painting Lost dreams. Ms. Banks does such a good job with this that I can visualize it in my mind. It sticks with me and it breaks my heart. If I could paint or draw, I would definitely draw this because it moves me. I would like to have a painting like that in my house. It invokes strong emotions. This story is recommended to those who enjoy angst and lack of communication.
I really liked Zack. He is the boy next door nice and super jock combined. He is a good man and the way Ms. Bank describes his devastation moved me. Gracie I was mixed about. She seems like a nice girl but so bloody stubborn. I get she was traumatized. I guess I would have thought she would have confronted him and demanded to know what why he did it. Then again, I'm a totally confrontational person.
The whole "bad guys" thing was a bit odd for me. I think it is because I missed the second book in the series. And apparently the first book didn't stick in my mind which is odd because I usually remember Ms. Bank's stories. Still, this was a page turner for me. The characters were easy to remember. There is terrible pain and angst. There is torture and then violent killing, what more can a gal ask for?
What really impressed me is the description of the painting Lost dreams. Ms. Banks does such a good job with this that I can visualize it in my mind. It sticks with me and it breaks my heart. If I could paint or draw, I would definitely draw this because it moves me. I would like to have a painting like that in my house. It invokes strong emotions. This story is recommended to those who enjoy angst and lack of communication.
July 13, 2015
I can't say I actually HATE this book, but I think there's no point in it existing and for someone to read it.
I, too, had read the first two books in the series and while the series will never be even in my top 5 of Banks' series, they were readable. The entire story in Safe At Last could be summed up in three sentences. I listened to the audio version (thanks public library for saving me an Audible credit) and I've found if a story is weak, audio amplifies that fact. Zack blathers on and on and on about his high school girlfriend and how she disappears one day and how he looked for her for 12 years and couldn't find her. Eliza sympathizes with him and comforts him. Anna Grace was devastated by what happened to her. We read/hear this over and over and over again for almost 3/4 of the book! Finally, in disk 6 of 8 we finally find out what happened, although, who didn't know it right from the start?!? No suspense, no surprise. Finally, at the end of disk 6 we get confirmation and what a let down. The ultimate bad guy gets away with it.
Banks' tries to inspire interest in the next novel in the series by finally ratcheting up the action with the bad guys from other other books coming back, but too little, too late.
Regarding the narrator, Jeffrey Kafer, he's one of those narrators who basically reads the story. The voice he uses for women is slightly softer, but when two men are talking it can get confusing. Perhaps that's better than doing lousy voices, but when you have so many male characters it doesn't work well.
Seriously, don't waste your time on this one.
I, too, had read the first two books in the series and while the series will never be even in my top 5 of Banks' series, they were readable. The entire story in Safe At Last could be summed up in three sentences. I listened to the audio version (thanks public library for saving me an Audible credit) and I've found if a story is weak, audio amplifies that fact. Zack blathers on and on and on about his high school girlfriend and how she disappears one day and how he looked for her for 12 years and couldn't find her. Eliza sympathizes with him and comforts him. Anna Grace was devastated by what happened to her. We read/hear this over and over and over again for almost 3/4 of the book! Finally, in disk 6 of 8 we finally find out what happened, although, who didn't know it right from the start?!? No suspense, no surprise. Finally, at the end of disk 6 we get confirmation and what a let down. The ultimate bad guy gets away with it.
Banks' tries to inspire interest in the next novel in the series by finally ratcheting up the action with the bad guys from other other books coming back, but too little, too late.
Regarding the narrator, Jeffrey Kafer, he's one of those narrators who basically reads the story. The voice he uses for women is slightly softer, but when two men are talking it can get confusing. Perhaps that's better than doing lousy voices, but when you have so many male characters it doesn't work well.
Seriously, don't waste your time on this one.
June 25, 2015
I love second chance at love stories because of the potential for healing past hurts, clearing up misconceptions and outright deceptions, as well as seeing how lives lived completely separate come back together. In SAFE AT LAST we get all of these with Zack and Gracie's story.
Zack is left behind without knowing why the love of his life took off. Zack is suddenly dealing with a lot of life altering events all at once. He is dealing with the loss of the profession that he wanted, the love that he wanted, and the future that he had planned. Gracie being young, insecure, and not having confidence in the love that she shared with Zack makes a decision that has long reaching consequences. Even after years of being apart, Gracie is still afraid and Zack is still in the dark as to what happened. Fate brings them back together and they are forced to face the dangers and troubling answers to all of their questions together.
SAFE AT LAST is an enjoyable fated love story that nicely folds in a bit of romantic suspense and of course the Maya Banks sexiness that always adds a good bit of spiciness to her romances.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
Zack is left behind without knowing why the love of his life took off. Zack is suddenly dealing with a lot of life altering events all at once. He is dealing with the loss of the profession that he wanted, the love that he wanted, and the future that he had planned. Gracie being young, insecure, and not having confidence in the love that she shared with Zack makes a decision that has long reaching consequences. Even after years of being apart, Gracie is still afraid and Zack is still in the dark as to what happened. Fate brings them back together and they are forced to face the dangers and troubling answers to all of their questions together.
SAFE AT LAST is an enjoyable fated love story that nicely folds in a bit of romantic suspense and of course the Maya Banks sexiness that always adds a good bit of spiciness to her romances.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
September 17, 2017
This was a chance to mend old hurts, loss, pain. Gracie had survived the pass just barely. Only allow one to get close and that was not out of need. The was just out of circumstance. The man was just plain stubborn and determined to be that friend she needed.
Zack lived his life to fix a wrong, a death he thought occurred. He never every imagined that his Gracie would come back in to his life. And be so terrified of him. This was a new piece to a growing attraction to this series.
Zack lived his life to fix a wrong, a death he thought occurred. He never every imagined that his Gracie would come back in to his life. And be so terrified of him. This was a new piece to a growing attraction to this series.
June 23, 2015
SAFE AT LAST is the third book in Maya Banks' suspenseful Slow Burn series, which seems to be focusing on women with extraordinary powers as they navigate their dangerous lives with the help of the men associated with Devereaux Security. This book focused not on a Devereaux brother, but on a key member of their team and the girl from his past that he thought dead.
Zack has always been the quiet, intense brooding member of the Devereaux Security team. He has known love and lost it, when his college girlfriend who he planned a life with simply disappeared. He assumed she had been kidnapped and died, but he still never stopped looking for her. And, he never found anyone new to love. Unexpectedly, one day, he sees her in an art studio, and what should've been a great joy for both of them turns into horror. Gracie is not only not happy to see Zack, but she's terrified of him. As Zack tries to figure out why, he's also trying to protect her from his enemies - a difficult thing to do when Gracie doesn't want to be near him. On top of that, he ability to read minds appears to be missing. Zack is fighting against time as he works to regain Gracie's trust, and hopefully, her love.
Zack has been one of my favorite side characters since book one. He has always been very serious about his job, and he has always had a soft spot for women who were hurt. I loved the dichotomy that is Zack. He's big and scary and brooding and intense, and yet you tell him there is a women in trouble and he will drop everything in order to help her. How could you not love a guy like that? You always got the sense that there was a story there with him, but you didn't know what it was until now because Zack doesn't talk much, especially about himself.
As it turns out, he was deeply in love once, and one day he came home from college to find she had simply disappeared. He searched absolutely everywhere all over the country and never found her. And, finally, he had to move on with his life, but he never forgot her, and he never fully gave up on finding her. That kind of dedication is exactly what I would expect from this man. To be the object of his focus has got to make a girl feel cherished and special.
Except, when he finally does find Gracie, she is absolutely terrified and horrified by his presence. Zack has no idea why, either. All he knows is that he went to college and everything was fine. He came home, and she was gone. Zack asks her again and again why she's so afraid of him. Why did she leave him? Where has she been? What did he do? These are all legitimate questions and ones that he absolutely deserves an answer to.
And, he is where I ran into problems. I had a very hard time liking Gracie or appreciating where she was coming from. I get that she thought he had done something horrible and that she thought she had irrefutable proof. But, every time Zack approached her and asked her for answers, she refused to give them to him. She just professed that he knew what he did, and she wasn't going to relive it for him. Now, for a man she supposedly loved enough to want to marry at one point, why on Earth would she not want to at least give him a few minutes of conversation to clear the air? If she was so afraid of him, she could have someone else present. And, besides all that, from the very beginning, Zack seemed genuinely confused by her reaction, and he was always trying to ensure her safety, especially once the bad guys showed up on the scene.Gracie really treated him badly, and when Zack was so wonderful, it made her actions that much more rude and hateful.
Despite that, my favorite part of the whole book came at the end when the three women with abilities - Ramie, Ari and Gracie - team up to take down the baddies that threatened another member of the Devereaux team. To start with, they all really put their overprotective men in their places. Now, I love an alpha protective male, but it's super fun to see these guys' women tying their hands.
And then, when it comes time to storm the hideout, the girls really kick some ass together. Ramie finds the enemy, Ari gets them in and Gracie directs the efforts. They worked well together, and it really was an awesome display of girl power.
There comes a point where Zack needs to ask himself if he can live without Gracie since it seems she will never get over whatever it is she thinks he did. And then Gracie must ask herself if she can forgive both Zack and herself when the entire story is revealed. These two most definitely had a hard road to get back to one another, and it was full of the worst kinds of betrayals you could imagine.
Gracie's mind-reading ability is really downplayed in this book. Her ability was missing for most of the book, and when it came back, it wasn't used a lot. Also, there isn't a lot of heat in Safe at Last, since Gracie spends 95% of the book at odds with Zack. Even so, there's no denying the sexual and emotional tension between the two of them whenever they're together. And that, coupled with the promise of things to come, kept me pressing on. There was a lot of scenes with Caleb and Beau Devereaux too, as well as their women, so that was awesome. Safe at Last was another exciting and intense installment in Maya Banks' Slow Burn series.
Zack has always been the quiet, intense brooding member of the Devereaux Security team. He has known love and lost it, when his college girlfriend who he planned a life with simply disappeared. He assumed she had been kidnapped and died, but he still never stopped looking for her. And, he never found anyone new to love. Unexpectedly, one day, he sees her in an art studio, and what should've been a great joy for both of them turns into horror. Gracie is not only not happy to see Zack, but she's terrified of him. As Zack tries to figure out why, he's also trying to protect her from his enemies - a difficult thing to do when Gracie doesn't want to be near him. On top of that, he ability to read minds appears to be missing. Zack is fighting against time as he works to regain Gracie's trust, and hopefully, her love.
Zack has been one of my favorite side characters since book one. He has always been very serious about his job, and he has always had a soft spot for women who were hurt. I loved the dichotomy that is Zack. He's big and scary and brooding and intense, and yet you tell him there is a women in trouble and he will drop everything in order to help her. How could you not love a guy like that? You always got the sense that there was a story there with him, but you didn't know what it was until now because Zack doesn't talk much, especially about himself.
As it turns out, he was deeply in love once, and one day he came home from college to find she had simply disappeared. He searched absolutely everywhere all over the country and never found her. And, finally, he had to move on with his life, but he never forgot her, and he never fully gave up on finding her. That kind of dedication is exactly what I would expect from this man. To be the object of his focus has got to make a girl feel cherished and special.
Except, when he finally does find Gracie, she is absolutely terrified and horrified by his presence. Zack has no idea why, either. All he knows is that he went to college and everything was fine. He came home, and she was gone. Zack asks her again and again why she's so afraid of him. Why did she leave him? Where has she been? What did he do? These are all legitimate questions and ones that he absolutely deserves an answer to.
And, he is where I ran into problems. I had a very hard time liking Gracie or appreciating where she was coming from. I get that she thought he had done something horrible and that she thought she had irrefutable proof. But, every time Zack approached her and asked her for answers, she refused to give them to him. She just professed that he knew what he did, and she wasn't going to relive it for him. Now, for a man she supposedly loved enough to want to marry at one point, why on Earth would she not want to at least give him a few minutes of conversation to clear the air? If she was so afraid of him, she could have someone else present. And, besides all that, from the very beginning, Zack seemed genuinely confused by her reaction, and he was always trying to ensure her safety, especially once the bad guys showed up on the scene.Gracie really treated him badly, and when Zack was so wonderful, it made her actions that much more rude and hateful.
Despite that, my favorite part of the whole book came at the end when the three women with abilities - Ramie, Ari and Gracie - team up to take down the baddies that threatened another member of the Devereaux team. To start with, they all really put their overprotective men in their places. Now, I love an alpha protective male, but it's super fun to see these guys' women tying their hands.
And then, when it comes time to storm the hideout, the girls really kick some ass together. Ramie finds the enemy, Ari gets them in and Gracie directs the efforts. They worked well together, and it really was an awesome display of girl power.
There comes a point where Zack needs to ask himself if he can live without Gracie since it seems she will never get over whatever it is she thinks he did. And then Gracie must ask herself if she can forgive both Zack and herself when the entire story is revealed. These two most definitely had a hard road to get back to one another, and it was full of the worst kinds of betrayals you could imagine.
Gracie's mind-reading ability is really downplayed in this book. Her ability was missing for most of the book, and when it came back, it wasn't used a lot. Also, there isn't a lot of heat in Safe at Last, since Gracie spends 95% of the book at odds with Zack. Even so, there's no denying the sexual and emotional tension between the two of them whenever they're together. And that, coupled with the promise of things to come, kept me pressing on. There was a lot of scenes with Caleb and Beau Devereaux too, as well as their women, so that was awesome. Safe at Last was another exciting and intense installment in Maya Banks' Slow Burn series.
September 27, 2023
Hot and steamy....love renewed
July 3, 2015
I’m not sure how to classify this book but it is most definitely not a romance. I don’t care what genre it’s hiding behind, but at the core of this book, romance is the furthest thing from what is going on. Redemption, sure. Romance? Nope. This is more women’s fiction (aka chick lit) than a romance. Shoot, I’ve read chick lit with more romance than this too actually.
Grace has been trying to get by, day after day for years. Her mantra is just to get through one more day and slowly rebuild herself after a heinous attack left her a broken woman. Behind her attack, she believes, is the only man she ever loved. Now years later she is face to face with him again, her worst nightmare but he swears he has no idea what she’s talking about.
Having no idea why Grace is so scared of him, Zack tries again and again to get close to her to no avail. She is not the same woman he loved but he loves all her the same, if only she would listen to him. When she’s targeted because of their connection he’ll do anything to keep her safe even if she doesn’t trust him.
The story in this one was so out there that I don’t even know what to do with it. It’s convoluted and over the top and just…wow. That’s all I got. Grace was 16 when everything went down and so I could understand her thinking the worst of Zack at the time, but seriously, not for one second when she matured did she ever think “I may have gotten this wrong”? She’s psychic and so she trusted her ability, but it just made no sense for her to never question it as time passed. It’s so out there crazy that any sane person would have to wonder if they were missing some pieces to the puzzle…especially knowing Zack’s father and their issues the way she did. But of course she doesn’t question it.
So we have a heroine who is scared to death of the hero for 80% of the book. I’m not joking…80%. Rightfully so once we learn why, but that doesn’t happen for quite some time. Somewhere towards the 50 to 60% mark of the book Banks finally gets around to toting out the backstory and what exactly happened to Grace, which was horrible, but damn, it took FOREVER to get there. So until then I was all…what the actual eff….why do I not understand anything that is going on? Even when it was from Grace’s POV, I got no answers. She was just so scared of him that her thought process was all jacked up and she couldn’t even think about her own past to give readers insight.
There isn’t closure for them until the last 10% of the book. So these two don’t actually get together until the last couple of chapters. First Grace is psychic and then she’s not but conveniently she is again when she needs to be at the end to know the hero hasn’t been lying to her. It was just to much. You read that right folks…they get together at THE END. That is not a romance. That’s chick lit. Period. Lets not try and cover it up and mark it as something else. Chick lit has its place and its readers. If Banks wants to write it, more power to her, but at least call it what it is.
I guess I’m just overall disappointed. Disappointed in not only this book but in this series.
I give Safe At Last by Maya Banks 2.50 stars
Grace has been trying to get by, day after day for years. Her mantra is just to get through one more day and slowly rebuild herself after a heinous attack left her a broken woman. Behind her attack, she believes, is the only man she ever loved. Now years later she is face to face with him again, her worst nightmare but he swears he has no idea what she’s talking about.
Having no idea why Grace is so scared of him, Zack tries again and again to get close to her to no avail. She is not the same woman he loved but he loves all her the same, if only she would listen to him. When she’s targeted because of their connection he’ll do anything to keep her safe even if she doesn’t trust him.
The story in this one was so out there that I don’t even know what to do with it. It’s convoluted and over the top and just…wow. That’s all I got. Grace was 16 when everything went down and so I could understand her thinking the worst of Zack at the time, but seriously, not for one second when she matured did she ever think “I may have gotten this wrong”? She’s psychic and so she trusted her ability, but it just made no sense for her to never question it as time passed. It’s so out there crazy that any sane person would have to wonder if they were missing some pieces to the puzzle…especially knowing Zack’s father and their issues the way she did. But of course she doesn’t question it.
So we have a heroine who is scared to death of the hero for 80% of the book. I’m not joking…80%. Rightfully so once we learn why, but that doesn’t happen for quite some time. Somewhere towards the 50 to 60% mark of the book Banks finally gets around to toting out the backstory and what exactly happened to Grace, which was horrible, but damn, it took FOREVER to get there. So until then I was all…what the actual eff….why do I not understand anything that is going on? Even when it was from Grace’s POV, I got no answers. She was just so scared of him that her thought process was all jacked up and she couldn’t even think about her own past to give readers insight.
There isn’t closure for them until the last 10% of the book. So these two don’t actually get together until the last couple of chapters. First Grace is psychic and then she’s not but conveniently she is again when she needs to be at the end to know the hero hasn’t been lying to her. It was just to much. You read that right folks…they get together at THE END. That is not a romance. That’s chick lit. Period. Lets not try and cover it up and mark it as something else. Chick lit has its place and its readers. If Banks wants to write it, more power to her, but at least call it what it is.
I guess I’m just overall disappointed. Disappointed in not only this book but in this series.
I give Safe At Last by Maya Banks 2.50 stars
February 3, 2018
I hated this! I had so many HUGE issues with it. Full rant review soon.
June 23, 2015
What a great continuation of the Slow Burn series! I fell in love with this series, and the men of Devereaux Security, when I read In His Keeping, and reading Safe at Last just cemented my love of not only the series, but of the author too.
I don't think two characters have ever tore my insides up like Gracie and Zach together have. The missed opportunities these two dealt with, caused not by themselves, but by people who were supposed to care about them, is deliciously drawn out throughout the entire story, leaving you on the edge of your seat just hoping that the stars cross and they can work it all out. There's also action, and intrigue, and love, and SO much suspense, with just the small bit of paranormal (psychic) thrown in, leaving you with one amazingly complex, heart-wrenching love story. It took me days to recover after reading this!
Totally honest here, while reading Safe At Last, the phone rang and got my attention. Only then did I realize I was pacing the room with the book in one hand, digging my finger nails into the palm of my other. I had started out on the other side of the room on my bed. Their story just envelopes you!
If you're already a fan of this series, or of the author's other books, you definitely want to grab Safe at Last. Or, if you haven't read the first two books in the Slow Burn series, no worries, this can also be read as a stand-alone. Whatever the case my be, you definitely want to grab this ASAP!!
July 1, 2015
I deeply disliked this book, for so many reasons.
-we don't learn about what trauma happened to heroine until 42% of the way into the book. That was far too drawn out in my opinion. I was annoyed with the needless drawing out of this by 10% in
-Way too much talking and introspecting and agonizing. Not enough action, not enough romance
-mystery was pretty obvious. Bad guy is completely obvious
-2nd set of unrelated bad guys. It was like she couldn't help herself, Banks just had to keep piling on the unbelievable angst.
This whole series has been awful, but I think I hated this one the most.
-we don't learn about what trauma happened to heroine until 42% of the way into the book. That was far too drawn out in my opinion. I was annoyed with the needless drawing out of this by 10% in
-Way too much talking and introspecting and agonizing. Not enough action, not enough romance
-mystery was pretty obvious. Bad guy is completely obvious
-2nd set of unrelated bad guys. It was like she couldn't help herself, Banks just had to keep piling on the unbelievable angst.
This whole series has been awful, but I think I hated this one the most.
June 27, 2015
Wow I started this only a few hrs ago. It totally consumed me. I <3 Zack!!!! Full review to come soon.
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