Giving In (The Surrender Trilogy) Paperback – May 6, 2014

I decided to Maya give one more chance so I read the second book of the trilogy right after I finished the first one and I'm glad I did.There is some repetitiveness still, which annoyed me in the previous book, but this is more manageable, almost imperceptible.This is where Kylie and Jensen get together. They both have their issues and had a so f*ucked childhood that they're practically soulmates, they complement each other, they are great for each other. I really like this couple.I loved the change in Kylie, change that was only possible because of Jensen. I liked that I got to see that evolution in her...it was about time!I feel for Jensen; he's this alpha-male with his own demons but puts himself in second place so he can take care of Kylie's demons. I loved that. Loved him for that.I liked this book so much more than Letting go but still felt like something was missing. I don't really know what that is. The Sweet serie, the McCabe trilogy and the Breathless trilogy put the standard really high of what I expect from Maya and this trilogy is still nowhere near that mark, this book went near though.

That find a home in each other's hearts after years of no real love in their lives. I enjoyed the story most about half way through. It seemed, like the first book in this trilogy that it dragged a bit too long when bits and pieces of the story were told over and over again, almost like we as readers couldn't keep up. That dimmed the enjoyment for me because all I wanted to do was get to the meat of the story. It happens in this story and I started reading the last book by mistake (I had changed iPads) and I was about 4 paragraphs in the middle of that book when I realised that once again that was the part that was getting good. So, I liked the story once it got its legs but I wished it had had me from the beginning and it didn't, neither did the first in this series and apparently not the third either. So, I'll say that I liked the story but maybe ms Banks could have edited it into 1 book and mixed all the stories together. At a fraction of the price of all 3 together. That's how it happened anyway the way I read them any how! 😄

Let me start out by saying that it truly pains me to have to review this book with a one star rating. I have EVERY single one of Maya's books. I started years ago w/ the Colter's Series... and continued with the KGI Series.. Sweet Series...Tangled Hearts... Breathless.. the list goes on and on.. BUT this book/series, is NOT the Maya Banks I know. The writing is so poor, the dialogue so minimal, repetitive, adolescent.. there's no real story line, and it's just so hard to want to read it that it makes me wonder why these books were even written. They seem so incomplete, unpolished, not the type of books I would expect from Maya Banks. I hope this is just a fluke.. because when she's on her game, her books are outstanding. However, this series, is definitely not worth spending your money on.

Kylie has issues from an abusive childhood, making a dominant man like Jensen an unlikely choice for her to become involved in a relationship with, but the parallels in their past and the demons they each face may just make them the perfect match, if Jensen can get Kylie to give him a chance to find out. I really liked this story. Kylie's background forced Jensen to be creative and his vow to be completely hands off in the bedroom was certainly an interesting twist. This wasn't the traditional BDSM type of story I was expecting, knowing Jensen's background, but seeing a Dom give up control when it was needed, was powerful in itself and I liked the way Jensen helped Kylie to grow and take charge of her life, after drowning in grief and self-loathing for so long. I'm looking forward to reading the last book in this series, Taking it All, due out in August. Everyone's been tiptoeing around Chessy and Tate's situation since Book 1 in this series, and I'm eager to see it finally resolved!

Though the story is nice and Kyle finds his perfect match in Jensen, there's too much repetition of their feelings, past and ideas, always complaining and repeating to themselves and each other the same epiphany. It finally makes the book boring because of the repetitions. The sex scenes are not hot, though it can be understandable cause Kyle was abused as a child and she has so many issues with the sexual intercourse but I expected her problem to be solved smoothly and progressively ending with a greater kind of sexual experiences. Anyway, that didn't happen and so the story ended with Jensen having a nightmare in which he hurt Kyle and decides to give up on the relationship. She finally finds the strength to look for him and solve the problem. At this point, the author, didn't take the time to develop their story in a more detailed way, reaching the end of the story in a hurry. Definitely, this is not the best book of Miss Banks I' ve read.

Jensen and Kylie's story was so emotional. They both have deeply rooted scars from their childhoods, but this bonds them. No one else could possibly understand what they've lived through or how they've learned to cope. What they do for each other, in regards to opening up and sharing their secrets, is really beautiful. Jensen comes across as brash and gruff, in the beginning. But, he quickly shows a softer and more vulnerable side, once he falls for Kylie. Poor sweet Kylie, she is so scared of everything. She comes across as bitchy and unforgiving, until she starts to try to live again. It is like a dimmer switch being turned to bright. She starts to radiate happiness, and I really enjoyed that process. The love and support these characters give one another is so wonderful. They are protective of each other and will go to any lengths to make sure they are happy. I think Cheesy and Tate's story will be the best one yet, so I really look forward to it next.

The plot line in one line:Kylie was abused by her father as a child and, now aged 25, she lives a sexless existence, fearing dominant men – until her new boss Jensen (who has his own troubled past) rocks up, willing to ditch his sexual dominance so long as he can own her heart.The good and the bad:I read this series of books out of sequence and I’m glad I started with this one because if I had begun with the others, I may not have bothered with it - but in fact it kept me riveted and feeling all gooey inside.I’m not usually drawn to “I was abused” stories, as I feel like child abuse is such a serious issue, turning it into romance fodder is a bit crass. However, I feel this book approached the subject in quite a tender manner.I fully expected this book to be about a woman who was abused and subsequently finds it cathartic to be sexually dominated in a controlled environment, but it’s not. It’s about the emotional, trust-based side of Dominant/submissive relationships.Jensen knows about Kylie’s past and wants to be her hero, even if it means giving up kinky sex. He sees beyond her bitchy protective layer to the vulnerable woman beneath. He’s so sensitive, caring and adoring of her, as he tries to empower her while commanding her total trust. Swoon.There are some hot sex scenes but – unlike the other books in this series – they are vanilla, rather thank kinky.As is standard in many romance books, there’s a little twist in the last quarter to create some last-minute tension, which I didn’t mind even though it was a little bit rushed and could have been more thoughtfully woven into the story.What did annoy me was the sometimes repetitive phraseology and the occasionally childishly-written dialogue.This book made me buy the other two books in the series, which have better sex scenes I feel, but they are not as good in terms of plot and writing.

The dominance stories are my favourite the way the men need to love the women is something special the need to care and protect the foremost and this story shows all of those needs, it was lovely. ♥♥♥♥

Arrived on time exactly as described and excellent purchase.

Maya just gives it her all ,from start to finish,I would recommend her books as they are descriptive and erotic,but loving and gentle all in the same beautiful way she writes.Hate having to wait for book 3. This is another great read I'm so glad I can recommend her to like minded readers.

I really enjoyed the storyline and reading about the characters but could have been a little less repetitive and slow at times.

The main characters find true love. Despite the many problems they face, learning about their past brings understanding and trust.

can't wait for the final book to come out.This is again a must read.

a great book, love the people in all 3 books, if you like maya banks then you will loves these books. a fab read :)

Good characters. Enjoyable read. Difficult to put down

:-)

excellent

A new author to me. Well written great story

Hot

Great book, struggled to put it down

Good