Laura’s review of Rush (Breathless, #1) by Maya Banks

Synopsis

         Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking...

         When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

         Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

          As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.

What I Loved

          I was in the mood for a rich Dom alpha male story similar to Fifty Shades because I haven’t really read something in this genre for a while and since I started reading Maya Banks I couldn’t wait to dive in. The story definitely started out steamy with Gabe at a business gathering and Mia walking in and taking all his attention. 

          I really liked the fact that they always wanted each other but because of their age difference and other circumstances nothing really happened for a number of years.  It added to the chemistry and sexual build between Gabe and Mia and boy oh boy was it enjoyable when it finally all exploded. 

          This book is filled very hot sex scenes some with tons of BDSM, while others were more love making and some were just raw and animalistic.  Since I am obviously a huge fan of the smut, this story delivered that in every aspect. Also, I love how brave Mia could be at times especially when it came to Gabe and his inability to express how he really felt about her.  Not only was she brave when Gabe was not, but she was able to step outside of her comfort zone of what she knows about relationships and explore this alternative lifestyle.

Not So Much

      

         This had all the makings of a great story, and if you’re looking for a Fifty Shades type of story then this is the series for you.  But the details were very shallow to me and inconsistent.  I went through the book about 5 times and there is no solid description of Mia at all.  There was a detailed description in the beginning of Gabe but the main female character was not given the same treatment.  Also, I have no idea what Mia’s apartment looks like, or Gabe’s really for that matter or any place each scene was set in.

          The book really annoyed me in the fact that every woman in this story was an assistant, a secretary, scorned ex-wife, or mother.  Not one female had a real powerful role at all; Gabe, Jace and Ash only did business with other men as well.  Women came off very weak and desperate and fell into stereotypes from the 50s rather than the 21^st century.  I get Mia has a business degree and her knowledge is used at times but she’s a submissive and Gabe becomes her mentor not only in the bedroom but in her professional career.

          I love books with tons of sex scenes but the scenes got to be repetitive at times and because of that became boring.  I found myself kind of speed reading through some of them and I was bothered by that.  The chemistry between Mia and Gabe was apparent and I liked that but the story became more about the sex rather than this buddy romance.

To Sum It All Up!

          I really liked the basis for this book and I think the foundation for the entire series was laid out really well.  It was easy to grasp who Gabe is from this story and definitely opened the door for finding out more about Ash and Jace.  Gabe was a little hard for me to completely fall in love with because his back and forth became a little annoying.  I love that Mia was the one that had the backbone and stood up for she believed.  The sexual chemistry between Gabe and Mia was instantaneous and poured off the pages as the romance went on.  I do wish there was more details as far as backgrounds and places go, because it was hard for me to imagine the entire picture of what was going on.  Of course there is BDSM but not tons of it so if you’re in the mood for hot sex with some spankings and butt plugs then this is the story for you!