A thrilling and enthralling romance of monumental proportions...
I feel like I've waited so freaking long for Captivated By Him. Technically, it's not been that long in the grand scale of things. However, after Because Of Him anything more than the time it would take me to change books on my kindle would be too long. Every book of Terri's that I go into always surprises me. I go in expecting one thing and... Every one of her books surpasses my expectations, however, Because of Him—that book did things to me that I can't even begin to express. Couple that with the fact that I was willing to trade my soul for Gavin and Megan's story and you just know that I about died when Terri announced that Captivated by Him was going to be released this year. I'd been going psycho on my kindle for about a month after I agreed to review this book. My email was checked fanatically morning, noon and night as well as my kindle. I was like a junkie waiting for the crack drop off. I'm sorry for the analogy, but these books and these characters have become a drug to me. I love them and I can't imagine my heart and soul not ever being touched by them. These are beautifully told romances with grit and a rawness that swallow you whole and never spit you out. you will live, breathe and dream these characters. Their stories will make you feel things that you had no clue were in you to feel. If that makes sense.
Oh kay... So, Captivated By Him is a standalone and you can read it without having read Because Of Him, however I can promise that once you read one you'll want to read the other and believe me, you don't want to ruin either of these books for yourself... So personally, I would read Tade and Reagan's story prior to Gavin and Megan's. Some of the things that happen in Captivated By Him will kind of takeaway from your experience of Because of Him, as they'll kind of act like spoilers. Saying that, you will fall head over heels regardless. This plot feels slightly different to that of Because of Him, I already kind of knew Gavin and Megan and so it felt like getting together with friends rather than meeting new people. I have to say that the intrigue that I carried over form BoH on both Megan and Gavin also gave it more of an angsty edge. Saying that, I also carried over some questions about these two. I never quite understood what happened with them and why they acted the way they did around each other...that is where this book got me. I was constantly on edge. One minute I was ready to shout, scream and wail at and over them, and then the next I felt like I was floating on a cloud. The only certainty throughout the entire book was that the chemistry and feelings between these two would never subside. It was the biggest pressure cooker environment that I have felt in a book, it was so intense and it gripped you tight and close. Add in all the twists and turns and my head was in a constant state of WTAF? and Holy Freaking Poopballs! and Is this for real? I was either in a state of shock, ecstasy or angst. Ms. Laine reduced to a hot mess...believe me, most of the time I was only hot in temperament and libido... never in appearance. Well, not unless you find mascara tracks hot.
What made this book so special for me were the characters. Gavin is this bad boy with a beautiful heart and jaded soul. Through all his ego and bravado he never actually believes he deserves Megan. I'll admit that at some points his self deprecation annoyed me because it actually stemmed hurt and self-doubt in Megan. However, it also endeared him to me because it showed how big his feelings actually were and in a way how highly he regarded her. He has these nasty demons from his childhood that torture him and although he's this big, strong and fiercely protective man he's also vulnerable. For me, that combination made him irresistible...impossible not to love. I have to say that Terri did such a great job with marrying these characters. They are almost copies of each other. He with his childhood demons and Megan with her daddy issues. I have loved Megan from the moment I met her in Because of Him. Unlike Gavin who I was always dubious of. However I really got to see her in a whole new light. Her well poised and put together, happy-go-lucky persona was completely deconstructed. You really get to see her to the core and there were parts that rendered me an emotional mess. I never expected her to have the baggage that she does. I never even thought that she was so unsure of herself. I think that's why she and Gavin have such a strong pull toward each other. They both crave the same thing, the same affection and the same liberation.
Quite honestly, I could just about keep rattling and rambling on about Captivated By Him. The reality is, that no matter how much I rant and rave about it, it'll never do this story enough justice. This story is heart-stopping and sweat inducing and it is also so very sweet. However, it does deal with some sensitive issues that can take you aback. I really can't wrap my head around how incredible this book was and how much I want to reread it. ALSO, can I just say that there is definitely room for more... that epilogue...come on...maaaaaaan, I needed more than that to satisfy me. Not that there's anything wrong with it, no, this story is written flawlessly from the first to the last word. it is a testament to Terri's talent, however, I could've had more. I guess I'm not ready say goodbye to these two. I want more. I need more.