Book Review – Grounded (Up In The Air #3) by RK Lilley

CLICK HERE for a BONUS JAMES CAVENDISH POV SCENE from IN FLIGHT

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5 stars!

OMGOMGOMGGG

SQUEEEE

HEART CLENCH HAPPY DANCE GRIN

  ♥ With all my heart, I adore this series!!  ♥    

This whole series is a delicious blend of heart-clenching emotion, fan-yourself hotness, make-you-blush kink, combined with an engaging plot that keeps you flipping the pages. Its absolutely absorbing and I seriously didn’t want to put it down even for a minute!

The first thing I noticed were the Mr. chapter titles were back – YAY!! I really loved that idea from the first book – it was such an awesome way to give you an idea of what was to come and set the mood for the next chapter of the story!

The story in this one picks up literally RIGHT where the previous book left off so there’s no time jump or anything. I wouldn’t say that you would *have* to reread the last one to be able to follow but I did reread the last chapter of Mile High before starting and needed a small refresher on some of the character names. But it all came very quickly back to me and I connected back to the characters instantly.

But wow is this story intense from the start!! I have an interesting sort of ‘relationship’ with the characters in this book because they are both a little bit more strongly into the SM side of BDSM that I personally am fully comfortable with. But in the context of the story, it was EXACTLY what they both wanted and needed from each other and so I found that even though it kind of went right to the boundaries of my comfort zone, it never crossed the line and I always felt that everything that happened was ‘right’ for them.

And ho BOY is this book HOT!! I mean really HOT!! HOT. HOT. HOT!!  They. Have. Sex. Everywhere. and I really mean everywhere. And I really have to give the author major props for being inventive with the sex scenes – there were a few in particular in this book that honestly were completely unique given anything I’d read before. I mean, how rare is that?? A genuinely unique sex scene?? It was quite refreshing!

“I’m going to make you come so many ways that you forget all of the ways that you can find to doubt us.”

The thing about this book though (and it even applies to the series as a whole) is that yes, there is crazy fucking and kink and hotness of all sorts but OH MY LORD IS THERE ROMANCE as well!!!!! Like seriously!! Completely, utterly heart-clenching, squeeing-out-loud romance that just melted my heart!!

The sex and romance is VERY well balanced and when added to great character development, engaging plot lines and an emotional depth that make you really connect deeply with the story, you’ve really got the recipe for a wonderful trilogy.

I’ve always felt really strongly for James and Bianca and seeing them work through their ups and downs and get better at things, mess up, but always work things out was really heart warming.

“You are more precious to me than my own life, by far. It’s not even a question. I would do anything for you.“

James is just literally the PERFECT blend of everything you could want in a hero character. He’s fuckhot and Dominant, mouth-wateringly sexy but yet tortured and damaged, utterly Alpha and yet totally tender and romantic, with a sadistic side that would have made me uncomfortable except for it being always tempered by complete control that makes you always trust him, and a tender, caring, patient and understanding side that just makes your heart melt. He. Is. Perfect.

Seriously, so few book guys are the absolute perfect blend of everything I love and JAMES IS ONE OF THEM!!!  ♥

And Stephan! I still stand by my statement in my last review that he is the BEST best-friend character I have EVER read. E V E R !!! I heart him so much! And… as a treat, we actually get several scenes from his POV in this book including his back story. Have I mentioned that I heart him yet?? Cuz I really do.

I also really loved Bianca as a heroine. She had a few more insecurities than I would normally like, but I understood where they came from and I loved that they never made her go overboard. Also, she was always improving herself and I loved the way she always stood up for James and didn’t let stupid things come between them so I really have always respected her as a character.  And she had a totally AWESOME moment near the end that literally made me want to cheer. I’m sorry but the toilet bowl scene just pure win. I’m even grinning as I write about it 😀

I felt like this was one of those books where I understood all the characters’ insecurities and fears but also their wants and desires. Everything really clicked together so perfectly. It wasn’t always smooth sailing but I never wanted to throttle anyone and I respected the decisions they made as well as was pleasantly surprised by how functionally they worked through their issues despite the road being so rocky.

I loved how balanced both James and Bianca were – both as individuals and as a couple. They were both damaged but very functional. I never once rolled my eyes or wanted to throttle either of them and their decisions and reactions (even the ‘stupid’ ones) made sense to me and I could always see where they were coming from.

This series is definitely what I’d call a BDSM romance because its an honestly equal blend of the two. James is both her Dom and her lover.

“I honestly couldn’t tell which was driving him tonight, the Dom or my tender lover, there was such a mix of feelings in his eyes.”

“James had shown me a profound tenderness and love that belonged only to me, from our very first time together…. it was more precious of a gift than I’d allowed myself to see. He was my Dom, and I was his sub, but our love had turned it into so much more…”

There are punishments and there is love making. There are things that pushed me right to the edge of my comfort zone and then there were moments that made my heart race and made me want to happy dance around the room.

You know… my blog’s tagline is that I seek out books that “make my heart race, have a beautiful love story and a happy ending.”  This series is one of those  ♥

I will say though that as we got closer to the end, my heart was just pounding!!!! There’s this huge climactic scene at the end which the author did a wonderful job of showing from all perspectives. I totally felt like I was *right* there. Wide eyed and just clutching at my heart. I didn’t think she’d take it that far but HOLY SHIT!! I mean really. I couldn’t breath and I’m pretty sure my heart stopped at one point too!

But the ending is just PERFECT!!!! Guys, we get a DOUBLE epilogue!!!

And yes, all you worried people, there is a HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY ENDING to the trilogy! I promise!

I highly highly recommend this series!!

Honestly, its one of my favorite ones out there. Ranked right up with Fifty Shades and Crossfire. If you are a fan of those, you will LOVE these. I’ve read a lot of ‘similarly’ themed books and I’ll say that despite the fact that all 3 series have hot and dominant billionaire heroes, they each stand on their own as having unique story lines.

Everyone should meet and fall in love with James Cavendish  ♥

• Click here for my spoiler-free review of IN FLIGHT (Up In The Air #1)
• Click here for my spoiler-free review of MILE HIGH (Up In The Air #2)

CASTING:

• James and Bianca –> Click here
• James –> Click here
  
• Bianca –> Click here