Access really doesn't give much away. And that's not a bad thing - I think it was intentionally written that way. There's a certain languid quality to it and at times, hypnotic.
The story revolves around Madison Taylor, small town girl trying to make her way in the city that never sleeps. And Alex Drake - one very elusive, secret man. At the outset, she stumbles upon a possible real lead for a great job and pursues it - leading her to a multibillion conglomerate, D.G.I. After what starts as a rocky interview mainly due to a rather rude man who spilled a combination of coffee mixed with liquor all over her blouse leading to her reeking of booze during said interview, she still manages to nail the job.
D.G.I. may as well be a fortress. Each floor needs a separate pass and on the tippy top of the towering building is where Alex Drake, the CEO resides. Alex is mysterious, has a history of one night stands and nothing more, and is largely an enigma. And given the story, it seems he's been that way for at least the last 10 years.
But Madison Taylor is the chink in his armor that quickly changes all of that. Even though this is a really quick read, there's a lot of mystery to it. Yes, it certainly has hot times when he finally swings Madison his way but there are many questions. And the answers are not contained in this book. Alex seems to have a rather obsessive interest in Madison and he also seems to know a lot of personal things about her that she starts to catch on to. Including childhood names used by her dead older brother, favorite book and other little tidbits that don't add up.
Alex seems to want to give her the world but that doesn't stop Madison on finally needing to know how he seems to know so many personal things pertaining to her after finding certain things in his apartment. Alex is hesitant as hell to give any answers and manages to wrangle a 30 day waiver from Madison - 30 days of being with him and he'll answer her questions. She relents and it seems it's on. But the question remains the whole book as to what his motive is, why Madison, how does he know these intimate facts and on top of that, how will she react when she finds out. I could feel Alex's reticence and also fear at the thought of giving in and telling her the truth.
To balance all the unsaids and his slightly undefined character that lays under wraps, the author brings in Paco, his right hand man. Let me just say, Paco is delightful. He's slightly OTT, the opposite of Alex and although he's obviously capable of getting his hands dirty, he is one entertaining dude who also brings the added bonus of being gay. There's nothing like a vivacious gay man to school you. And between his Lamborghini, his lack of censoring his thoughts around others and his love for diamond earrings, he is definitely the type of dude you'd enjoy hanging out with.
This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger but it does end on a note of all that is unknown, a genuine curiosity as to the inner layers of Alex and an agreed upon countdown to the truth.
So given that note, I'm off to number 2- 'Exposed' to figure out just who this guy really is and what the hell it is he's hiding!
****4 stars for this (I believe) haunted man and his obvious need to make something right though God only knows what it is!