Whenever I read a novel that is written solely from the female perspective, I often find myself wishing that it was dual POV or even just the male POV. However, when I read books by Anne Jolin, it honestly never occurs to me. It’s not that I wouldn’t love it, but it is not needed. The men she writes are honest and open, but even when they don’t vocalize their feelings, Anne has a way of letting you know what’s in their head through actions and expression.
Braxton Bennett is the one guy I’ve ever met in a book that I’ll never wish I could have had his side of the story (again, I wouldn’t turn it down though). He does not hide who and what he is from the reader. He lives a double life, fighting demons in the form if a crushing temper. In order to keep the darkness at bay, he enters the cage of an underground club and beats the hell out of his opponent. It’s like drug for him, exorcising the demons for a time. The other side of Brax is a cool and collected, successful lawyer. He keeps a tight rein on his life by controlling all aspects with a strict set of rules. Rules that he cannot break, because the result would surely end in disaster.
Beth Rhodes is high on life. She brings joy to those around her, lighting up the world in her path. She’s got the fairytale that every woman longs for. Her dream job, happy family and friends, and she has been swept off of her feet by Prince Charming. Until it all comes crashing down around her. IN the blink of an eye, she has lost her job and it is becoming increasingly clear that her boyfriend is not a prince, but rather the villain of the story. She is caught in a web, uncertain how to untangle herself. Finally one night the situation escalates beyond anything she imagined and her life becomes truly threatened.
Until a ruthless fighter rides in of his charger (all though in this case it’s black, not white). He saves her life and then disappears.
Beth’s world finally begins to right itself and she finds a job that looks promising. But, her first day comes and she is face to face with her knight, Brax.
Brax sees his worlds colliding. However, he has to fight the need he has for Beth, a pull as strong as the one he feels for the ring.
Braxton is such a strong character. I’m not just talking physically or even in the sense of his alpha traits. He is strong in his innate character. He has lived with a condition that has crushed so many parts of his life. There is also strength in the level of love and compassion that he exudes. He is scared to embark on a relationship with Beth, but he accepts what is and moves forward. Just as he has with the temper he seeks to control, he finds a solution and builds a foundation on it. My favorite thing about Brax, other than his possessive alpha yumminess, is that he doesn’t play games. Somehow, in the midst of living his double life, he finds a way to be completely honest.
Beth is a great heroine. Her sarcasm cracks me up. I always find it interesting when you see the female fighting a relationship more than the male. She bucks at Brax’s controlling ways, just too stubborn. IN so many ways, that could have been really obnoxious, but for some reason, I found it hilarious. She isn’t going to be anyone’s doormat, no matter how sexy she finds his possessive attitude. She knows when to give in though, another reason to like her as a character. It doesn’t make you weak to accept help and protection, it makes you smart.
As with all of Anne’s books, the chemistry between the hero and heroine lights the pages on fire. Hot! Hot! Hot!! I swear, Brax melted my panties right off.
This book took a slightly darker turn from Anne’s other books. I saw a depth to her writing that she hadn’t shown me in the first two books. Don’t take that to mean that the first two are anything less that incredible. This book just took a turn and impressed me even more. As I reached the climax of the book, I could feel myself freaking out because I knew that meant the end of the book was coming. I wasn’t ready, I didn’t want to let Brax and Beth go. In the end, the story wraps up beautifully, but since I was desperate for it to continue, I had no other choice but to return to the beginning and read it all over again!