Book Review: Giving In by Maya Banks

Giving In

By Maya Banks

Release Date: May 6, 2014

Source: Publisher

Summary: Kylie sees the way Jensen looks at her. The dark promise in his eyes. That rough edge of dominance she knows he possesses. But dominance is the one thing that frightens her above all else. She and her brother barely survived a childhood steeped in violence and abuse. She could never give up total control and submit to a man. Especially a man like Jensen. Could she?

Jensen sees the shadows in Kylie’s eyes. Knows he has to tread very carefully or risk losing any chance he has with her. All he wants is the opportunity to show her that dominance doesn’t equal pain, bondage or discipline. That emotional surrender is the most powerful of all, and that to submit—fully to him—will fulfill the aching void in her heart in a way nothing else ever will.

Review: Seriously, every time I pick up a book by Maya Banks, it's nearly impossible to put down. I finished this book within two days, which has been very rare over the past couple of months seeing as how busy I've been lately. I was a huge fan of Letting Go, the first book in this trilogy, but Giving In blew that one out of the water. 

Kylie is damaged. Coming from an abusive childhood and losing her brother and best friend, the only way Kylie can cope with life is closing herself off from others and fending for herself. Jensen can see Kylie's haunted past in her eyes and feels a ferocious need to protect her. Even though he's a dominant, Jensen finds himself wanting to give Kylie the power and protection she deserves, which means giving her complete control over their relationship and showing her not every guy is out to hurt her. 

Wow. Normally Maya's books are fast and furious when it comes to the relationships, but Kylie and Jensen weren't like that at all. Kylie is seriously damaged from her past and is scared of ever trusting anyone. Jensen is determined to make her his and protect her from her demons, so he's willing to take it slow and gain her trust. I love how Kylie just can't seem to let herself go with Jensen right away, but rather needs to take things slow and force him to work for her trust. The give and take of Kyle and Jensen's relationship was so sweet and built a relationship that was real and not solely focused on the physical side. 

As for the two main characters, I absolutely loved them. I loved how even though Kylie was very vulnerable and damaged, she was a determined woman who could hold her own in the business world. And Jensen? Oh, Jensen. Could a guy be any more perfect? He would literally give up everything for Kylie and he was just so gosh darn sweet. Jensen never pushed Kylie and always put her safety and comfort first. He also has his own demons that Kylie coaxes out of him, showing how they both learn to trust each other and truly let another person into their lives. Oh, and I loved how Joss and Chessy are still huge supporters in Kylie's life and support each other as they fall in love with the incredible men in their lives. I love nothing more than a romance with a great support system from some feisty best friends. 

Can you tell I loved this book? Kylie was impossible not to love and I couldn't help but swoon over how sweet and caring Jensen ended up being. Yeah, he was pretty intimidating when he was introduced in Letting Go, but he is so much more than that. Any fan of Maya Banks has to pick up her newest trilogy. I can't wait to finally hear Chessy and Tate's story in the final installment of this irresistible series. August can't come soon enough!