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rellimreads's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second book in the Breathless Trilogy. The series is set around three 38yo Millionaire hoteliers. They’re best read in order - while each book focuses on one couple, there are storylines that span the series. This is best if you enjoy over the top controlling, alpha male paired with a without-means submissive woman.
There’s some pretty big plot holes in this one that Banks just runs over with no explanation. The biggest is the set up and it makes it hard to get into the story after that. Bethany is homeless. No car, living on the streets, no food for days, clothing falling apart homeless. But she’s supposedly working a huge catering gig at a high end hotel. Most hotels have their own staff for events. Luxury hotels have strict standards for dress & appearance. I can’t get over that there’s no way Bethany would be at this event as staff.
If I set that aside, Jace is a completely different character than he was in book 1. He went from sweet, protective older brother and fun loving business partner to raging, over-the-top, controlling jerk. I’m all for Pretty Woman/Cinderella, rich guy makes poor girl’s dreams come true. However, Jace just wanted to control every aspect of Bethany’s life and have sex all the time. I didn’t feel any *romance* here.
Bethany started off as one of Jace & Ash’s threesomes. Which didn’t bother me. But it definitely bothered Jace and he made everyone else pay for it with his attitude and spite. It wasn’t sexy possessiveness, it felt like cruel punishment. Especially given that Bethany is on such unequal footing given her lack of means/options.
While Jace came around at the end, it felt too easy and no different than many other apologies he gave throughout the book. There wasn’t really anything to solidify that he’d be better to Bethany in a week. Especially since the book only spanned a few weeks total. I did like how things were resolved with Bethany’s foster brother.
Banks’ writing was even more repetitive here than in the first book - a big factor in why this one was an hour and a half longer than Rush. Could have cut out at least 3 hours by not having internal dialogues and conversations belaboring points.
Narration:
I was OK with Adam Paul’s narration. He gives Gabe, Jace, & Ash unique voices that are consistent through the whole series.
There’s some pretty big plot holes in this one that Banks just runs over with no explanation. The biggest is the set up and it makes it hard to get into the story after that. Bethany is homeless. No car, living on the streets, no food for days, clothing falling apart homeless. But she’s supposedly working a huge catering gig at a high end hotel. Most hotels have their own staff for events. Luxury hotels have strict standards for dress & appearance. I can’t get over that there’s no way Bethany would be at this event as staff.
If I set that aside, Jace is a completely different character than he was in book 1. He went from sweet, protective older brother and fun loving business partner to raging, over-the-top, controlling jerk. I’m all for Pretty Woman/Cinderella, rich guy makes poor girl’s dreams come true. However, Jace just wanted to control every aspect of Bethany’s life and have sex all the time. I didn’t feel any *romance* here.
Bethany started off as one of Jace & Ash’s threesomes. Which didn’t bother me. But it definitely bothered Jace and he made everyone else pay for it with his attitude and spite. It wasn’t sexy possessiveness, it felt like cruel punishment. Especially given that Bethany is on such unequal footing given her lack of means/options.
While Jace came around at the end, it felt too easy and no different than many other apologies he gave throughout the book. There wasn’t really anything to solidify that he’d be better to Bethany in a week. Especially since the book only spanned a few weeks total. I did like how things were resolved with Bethany’s foster brother.
Banks’ writing was even more repetitive here than in the first book - a big factor in why this one was an hour and a half longer than Rush. Could have cut out at least 3 hours by not having internal dialogues and conversations belaboring points.
Narration:
I was OK with Adam Paul’s narration. He gives Gabe, Jace, & Ash unique voices that are consistent through the whole series.
courtsbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I actually liked Jace and Bethany's story way more than I thought. I also liked it better than book one. This did have a little bit more of a plot and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop even with Bethany's struggles and more traumatic past. I think they worked quite well together and I also liked the dominant/submissive aspects of their relationship. I also liked seeing how happy Gabe and Mia were now after reading their story. This was a quick read that didn't require a lot of thought and I was here for it. The spice in this one hit for sure, and I was not disappointed. I'm excited to see Ash get his chance at love and I think the conclusion will be a solid one. So far, I like this installment the best.
jenngummo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ojeda87's review against another edition
1.0
I really dislike relationships in which a partner is very controlling. I liked that the plot was rather different and that the heroine was literally rags to riches, but it made me uneasy. Even though the characters male character is all "you don't owe me anything, you have all of this because I love you," the female protagonist still seems to "owe him" for dragging her out of bad situations. The male protagonist and all of his friends make it clear that he is only controlling (to the level of psychological and emotional abuse) because he cares so much about her. I don't buy this. I think that there are people who understand or identify with this mindset, this will probably be an enjoyable read for you.
nero1279's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️& half /5 performance by Adam Paul
Written in 3rd POV. Stronger male character voices in this instalment which helped.
ARTICULATION - clean, clear, precise
Written in 3rd POV. Stronger male character voices in this instalment which helped.
ARTICULATION - clean, clear, precise
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, relatively low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is appropriate. Varied and not too predictable.
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – attempts to bring to life. Distinct and majorly consistent in tone, attitude, age, accent. Voices match characters quite well. Although a character change is evident for the main male from book 1 to book 2.
SEPARATION- some spillover is evident between narration and character, which can be a little disconcerting.
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection is not as visual as it could be but better than the first book.
STORYLINE. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ but a little predictable
Some massive reviews on this book with a lot to stay from the good, bad and ugly. If you liked the first one then this one was a good follow up. Plot was very predictable however, but you are not reading these books for the plot 🤔🤣, are you?
If BDSM is your thing, then give this one a go. Jace and Bethany, a tad far fetched in the where from to where to, but a good Cinderella rendition nonetheless. You still get to met Mia and Gabe and can totally see where the story is going head next. Bring on Ash.
STORYLINE. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ but a little predictable
Some massive reviews on this book with a lot to stay from the good, bad and ugly. If you liked the first one then this one was a good follow up. Plot was very predictable however, but you are not reading these books for the plot 🤔🤣, are you?
If BDSM is your thing, then give this one a go. Jace and Bethany, a tad far fetched in the where from to where to, but a good Cinderella rendition nonetheless. You still get to met Mia and Gabe and can totally see where the story is going head next. Bring on Ash.
nitzanschwarz's review against another edition
3.5
I adore Maya Banks. Her Historical romances are some of the best out there. I will pretty much read anything she writes. However, from all her series I've read, this one is my least favorite, and I usually love possessive, controlling Alpha males.
Bethany is homeless. Broke. Hardened by the rough streets and yet breakable. She is delicate, fragile, and scarred inside. She knows there are no such things as miracles or fairy tales in real life, and she knows there is no such thing as 'happily-ever-after' for girls like her. The fight for survival is never-ending and constant in her world.
Because of all that, she can't understand why a guy like Jace, who is rich, handsome and can get any woman he wants, probably whenever he wants and where he wants, would want with her. Let alone love her, care for her, or want to keep her safe.
But it seems like that's exactly what Jace wants and that he's going to make sure of it whether she wants him to or not. Sure, he'll go slow at first - or as slow as a dominating guy like him can go - but ultimately, she'll be his, completely.
Jace falls fast and hard for Bethany, and she is attracted to the safety of his arms, the warmth of his love, and the care he gives her, even when she's certain he will eventually either grow tired with her, realize how out of his league she is or figure out just how messed up she is, and then he'll break her heart.
Being inside Bethany's head, her insecurities and doubt, self-hatred and fears, was tough. It made me tear up at times. I felt sad for her life and happy that she found someone to take care of her. For some reason, I liked her a lot more than I did Mia. She was easier to relate to, I guess.
Being in Jace's head was a little bit like being inside a caveman's head, and that's okay. We all love our Alpha males, and Jace was sweet and caring and quick to realize and recognize where he was being an A-class A-hole.
The relationship between the two was pretty instant, but the relationship-y parts of the story, AKA their few dates or their talks, were pretty good. There was also no creepy-assed contract detailing how their relationship would be and that he'd own her (he just thinks about all these things in his head).
Now, where does the problem of the book come from? honestly, it's from having 20% story and 80% sex scenes. If I had to choose a word to describe this book, it'll be "SEX". Like, every two pages, sex, and very soon it becomes too much, and I started skimming pages.
Like with the first book, I got the same feeling here; there wasn't really a story in this, just a giant sex scene with some dialogues here and there to create the appearance of a story, and it's rather a shame because I really enjoyed the 'story' part of the book, and would've loved more of it.
Now, before you'll hate on me, I did enjoy the book on a level. I just expect so much more of Maya Banks, and I wish for fewer sex scenes and more story parts.