“I’m that guy for you, Eva. Every milestone, angel. Every rite of passage… Everything.” He swiped at the tear that leaked out of the corner of my eye. “And you’re that girl for me.”
This was one of my most highly-anticipated books of the year and it delivered everything I’d hoped for and more!! The Crossfire series is one of my all-time favorites. Gideon and Eva’s tumultuous and intensely passionate love story first captured my heart years ago and this final book kept me glued to the page from the moment I started until the very end. I adored every word and I couldn’t be happier with the ending. It’s extraordinarily gratifying to read about these two damaged people who love each so deeply and with such intensity working as hard as they can to build a healthy relationship and emerging stronger as a couple in a way that makes you truly believe that their love will last forever and ever and ever.
His hand curved around my nape, the hold possessive and tender at once. His face was impassive, giving nothing away, but his eyes… those blue, blue eyes… they raged with emotion. “We’re going to make it, angel.”
I’m not going to mention the plot at all in this review because if you’ve read the series, then you know where Gideon and Eva are at and if you haven’t, then I don’t want to give anything at all away. So this review is more about my reaction TO the book.
The one thing I’ve loved since the first book was that you are always made to believe that Gideon and Eva’s love for each other is the kind of love that transcends pure desire, but has the depth to wether any storm. Even when they fight (as any couple naturally would in a growing relationship), you can always feel that there’s a genuine reason behind their disagreements. Given their respective painful and damaging pasts, being open and communicative is an area that is shaky for them and so you definitely see them stumble and fall, but they always get up stronger. You genuinely see the strength of their relationship grow over the series. I really applaud Sylvia Day for writing such an incredibly erotic series that was balanced with so much depth and complexity that it truly made this story one that you can’t stop thinking about.
So often it’s people’s insecurities and fears that are the root cause behind actions that might seen irrational or unwarranted but in this book, Gideon and Eva have grown so much and we’re always shown the causes of their actions. It’s like getting an exclusive behind-the-scenes view into their minds and you don’t just see their actions, you see why they’re acting a certain way. It’s the ultimate example of ‘showing not telling’ with writing and this level of emotional depth and detail kept me constantly connected to the these characters. More than anything, this quote represents the book so much to me:
“Gideon and I challenged each other. We pushed each other to change and grow. Sometimes, we hurt each other to accomplish something or make a point, which worried Dr. Petersen but somehow was working for us. We could forgive each other for anything except betrayal.
It was inevitable that others, especially those close to us, would look at us from the outside and wonder how and why it worked, and whether it should. They couldn’t understand— and I didn’t blame them because I was only just starting to really grasp it myself— that we pushed ourselves harder than we ever pushed each other. Because we wanted to be the best possible versions of ourselves, to be strong enough to be what the other needed.”
Even when one of them messed up, it was never out of insensitivity or ignorance, but rather it was usually out of a desire or in an intense circumstance where one of them truly believed that they were doing the right thing for the other person. It was a learning curve for both of them to trust each other and do the right thing, but it really gave validity to their mistakes and strength to their growth.
“We both had a rough moment there, but we didn’t fuck it up. It was like we knew how to make it right between us. And we knew that we would. There wasn’t any doubt about that, either.”
For those of you wondering and needing reassurance, there is no cheating, no love triangle, and no stupid drama in this book. Gideon and Eva love each other more than anything. They’re not the kinds of people to ever jeopardize that relationship and in this book, you see that more clearly than ever. They belong to each other and no one else. I can honestly say that that was one thing I never questioned.
From the very start of this series, I’ve been completely captivated by this beautiful, erotic, and heartfelt love story. There’s a special intensity that Gideon and Eva’s relationship always had that really resonated with me deeply. Back when I read Bared To You when it was first released, I remember it was the first book in my life that I read, finished, and immediately flipped back to page one to read again. Since then, I’ve been addicted to this story and loved each one of the books.
Every time I start a Crossfire book, I get this supercharged feeling of excitement. My heart races, emotions are heightened, and this time it was bittersweet anticipation because, while I couldn’t wait to read more of Gideon and Eva, I was sad to see their story end. However, by the end of the book I was left with such a full-filled and satisfied feeling that I couldn’t be happier with the way their story concluded. Sylvia Day really did justice to this series because the ending was gorgeous. I truly loved it and highly recommend the Crossfire series to everyone as a top favorite!!
ALWAYS MINE. FOREVER YOURS. — GIDEON
Rating: 5 STARS!!
PS: at the very end of this book, we’re given a sneak preview into Sylvia Day’s next series and all I’m going to say is….. I CAN’T WAIT!!! It sounds amazing and exactly like the kind of story I’d fall in LOVE with!!
PPS: I’m hiding the rest of this because it’s my personal responses to some of the criticisms…
| Spoiler Inside | Show |
|---|---|
*** CROSSFIRE SERIES READING ORDER ***
BARED TO YOU (Crossfire #1)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
REFLECTED IN YOU (Crossfire #2)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
ENTWINED WITH YOU (Crossfire #3)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
CAPTIVATED BY YOU (Crossfire #4)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
ONE WITH YOU (Crossfire #5)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review
Monica says
I’m half way through and I can’t put it down! Love Gideon & Eva!
Aestas says
I couldn’t put it down all day either!! 🙂
Jess says
I looooooved it! Finished 5 mins ago :))
Aestas says
YAY!! So glad to hear that!! 🙂
Shannon says
Love Gideon and gave it 5 stars for that reason alone. To much story off Gideon topic and that epilogue was disappointing and for that long if a wait, failed. Just my opinion.
Aestas says
I’m glad you still loved the story! Gideon is rather dreamy! I was happy with the ending and think there’s room for a novella or something in the future maybe 🙂
Rika says
I agree with you the epilogue was not what I would like. I so wanted to see babies. Boohoo
Aestas says
Weirdly I was ok not seeing that. I feel like they’d only been together a few months if you think about it. As much as I love a good baby-filled epilogue I feel like they still had so much between where they were and that that it would have felt like too big of a time jump. I’m happy imagining their babies in the future. But I feel like the point/focus of this series was more on them overcoming their pasts to be able to build a healthy relationship than necessarily seeing them live their future, and because of that focus, I was really happy with the ending 🙂
Loraine Oliver says
I totally agree, it is too soon and really with their relationship how it unfolded over the books there really is no room for babies yet-we will hope for that as a sequel!
Chitwan Sharma says
Agree with you and a novella would really help
Angela says
I loved it too. Read it in a day. Such a great series.
Aestas says
I agree — loved the whole series!! 🙂
Chitwan Sharma says
TBH I didn’t really liked the book as compared to the other in the series as I felt the story was unresolved and many storylines still hanging loose I was expecting so much and I wanted a much better epilogue. These are my thoughts but I gotta say that crossfire is my favourite series
Aestas says
I feel (just personally) like I don’t need every single side storyline perfectly answered in detail. All a book series is is a snapshot of life — it’s one segment in their lives. Just for me, I found that I was fully satisfied with the end Gideon and Eva’s story. I feel like she ended the series at a point where I had no doubts that they’d fully built the trust needed to hold as a strong foundation for a life long healthy relationship. I guess I just don’t need to see every detail of the rest of their lives in order to believe and be happy with their story. To me, the point/focus of this series was more about Gideon & Eva overcoming their pasts to be able to build a healthy relationship than necessarily seeing them live their future, and because of that focus, I was really happy with the ending. And as for the other characters’ storylines, yes it would be cool to see spinoffs but I guess I just personally don’t need it. I saw the info on her the next series she’s writing and I’m so excited for that one. I’m glad she’s moving to a new story even though I love this one deeply as probably one of my favorite series EVER. But I’m also ready for something new 🙂
Carolina says
I really loved the book. Reading it was some kind of nostalgia all over the book and the story was really great as expected. But I agree with you. In my opinion the end was a little rushed, we had a big thing happening when was missing like 100 pages to the end, and was everything solved in that space. I mean, I think it was everything solved….we don’t know for sure.
Valinda Herrin says
I agree with you the book was all over the place I was hoping for something more put together. Don’t get me wrong the book was OK but I was expecting a little more I hope this is not the end I hope down the road she will write another one and clear up some things in the book that seam to have no real ending
Alessa says
I read this in a day and loved it so muuuuch! I did a re-read before too and got the whole Crossfire experience. Such a great series!!!
Aestas says
Woohoo!!! I’m so glad you loved it!! 😀
Emmy says
I was so happy with this book!!! I feel like people who weren’t happy maybe disconnected from the story over the years or something, but I also reread the series first and the ending felt very true to G&E to me. And yes, maybe we will get a novella 1 day but am so happy with this book:-)
Aestas says
I’m really happy that you enjoyed it! And I agree, it’s possible they were just disconnected from the story. I was very happy with it too 🙂
Diane Fleming says
I read all the other books in the series and I loved them all. I read all the reviews and read the sample. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this one. I am going to read it based on your recommendation, because I usually trust your opinion. I hope you are right, because I want to love this one too.
Aestas says
YAY!! I hope you love it too! I found it was very true to Gideon and Eva’s story and growth and showed them reach the goal they’d been striving for since the beginning which was for two damaged people to reach a point where they could build and maintain a healthy, functional relationship 🙂
Diane says
You were right. I really liked it. Thanks for that.
Aestas says
YAY!!! I’m so glad 😀
Karen Henderson says
I was thrilled with how she ended the book. I had recently relistened to the audiobooks so I was ready for this one
Aestas says
Very happy to hear that, Karen!! 🙂
Marcella lee says
Hi just finished the book like the story liked Eva and gideons ending was kind of hoping for more on Cary and Trey and maybe the possibility he wasn’t the father and they got together overall I loved the series and can’t wait for the new ones
Aestas says
Maybe we’ll get a Cary novella one day!
Allison Blackwell says
I’m 30% in and it is perfection. I’m taking my time reading because I am so going to miss them. It saddens me to see what some of the reviews are saying on Amazon. Sylvia has devoted the last five years of her life to this couple and I give her a standing ovation for writing such an intense love story I will never forget. Perfect review!
Aestas says
I’m so happy that you’re loving it and I agree completely!! Thanks about the review 😀
Jessie Llewellyn says
I enjoyed reading your review. This is one of my fav series, too. Gideon & Eva’s story is one that will stay with me for a long time. I cannot wait to read One With You! Sylvia Day sure knows how to capture readers with her characters and the story they have to tell.
Aestas says
Thank you!! I hope you love it! Happy reading 🙂
Loraine Oliver says
I can’t wait to read this book, hope to get a copy soon!
Lisa says
Love this series. My fave. I made myself read it slow or I would have finished the book in a day. I to hope she does novella’s like J Kenner does for her Stark International series. I will really miss Gideon and Eva. Maybe a movie ?
Aestas says
It has a TV show deal actually!! 🙂
O. Campbell says
I am not done with One with You but I do agree with Shannon’s comment and definitely Chiwan Sharma’s. Books one through four were so good, I really waited for the conclusion of this series and am a bit disappointed. The love scenes unlike previous books were cut short.
Aestas says
In the previous books, Sylvia was heavily criticized for writing too many long love scenes. No matter what, people will have things that bother them. It goes back to the ‘damned if you do and damned if you don’t’ thing I mentioned above. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you. But I appreciated that this book, as the conclusion, focused more on the development of their relationship than on the bedroom scenes.
Amber says
Overall, I enjoyed One With You. I thought it was a fitting ending to the series. I always love Sylvia Day’s thoughtful and descriptive writing. She always manages to stay in Eva’s and Gideon’s headspace, letting us know that the characters we love are exactly where they are supposed to be. The only area I felt where the book faltered was in the closure of story lines pertaining to the secondary characters (i.e. Cary, Anne, Christopher, Corrine, etc..). I understand the focus of this book was to bring Eva’s and Gideon’s story to a close; however, I was really hoping to learn what happened to all of these characters. They were all integral parts of this journey, and I was a bit disappointed to find that their stories were left a bit flat. Overall, I did love the story and I adored this series. I will cherish every word, and every moment I spent cuddled up on my couch or bed with Eva and Gideon. Cumulatively this series is very satisfying, and I recommend it AND read it over a few times. ❤️
Neecy Garcia says
I loved this review. The CF series is my most favorite series ever. This was a 5 star read for me as well.
Chantal says
I have loved this whole series and your reviews cant wait to start reading this one!!
Beth Jackson says
I can’t wait to start reading this book. I loved all of the others books in this series.
Tania says
Can’t wait to read this book…awesome review! 🙂
Danielle says
Thanks for such great reviews! I can’t wait to dive into this book. 🙂
Salma says
What’s the sneak preview? :’) *PLEASE*
Aestas says
If you buy the book and flip to the very end, there’s a sneak preview of her next series 🙂
REBECCAH says
Is it normal for a book to resonate so deeply with my life? especially when it is romance, with a happily ever after? i feel as though the purpose of Gideon and Evas story was to teach me that it is possible to overcome. Ive always been very hopeful about everything in life except romance. i thought it was overrated and that no such connection can exist between two people. Gideon and Eva are have a connection, a soul deep connection, and i feel that is what makes the book so worthwhile… more than anything.
Amanda says
I feel like there were a lot of lose ends. Cary and the baby and trey, what happened to Christopher? Just wanted a better wrap up.
Aestas says
I agree with many of you that there were some lose ends with the external storylines, but Gideon & Eva’s story was fully wrapped up (or at least, it was to my satisfaction).
I sometimes feel like authors are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. I’ve seen so many books where every single plotline was resolved fully and in the reviews, authors are blamed for tying everything up with a pretty red bow — readers call it unbelievable. Then in books where there are still external storylines (not of the main couple) with ‘more story to tell’ in them, authors are blamed for not wrapping things up enough. I think the end result is that everyone can’t be pleased and the author can only write the story as they wish to tell it and hope that the audience will love it for what it is too.
Lisa says
I so loved this book and would love to read others like it…any suggestions?
Aestas says
Here are a few 🙂
http://aestasbookblog.com/book-review-in-flight-up-in-the-air-1-by-r-k-lilley/
http://aestasbookblog.com/breach-k-i-lynn/
http://aestasbookblog.com/driven-k-bromberg-review/
http://aestasbookblog.com/fixed-on-you-by-laurelin-paige/
http://aestasbookblog.com/book-review-naked-by-raine-miller/
Megan says
This is by far one of my favorite romance stories ever written. I had pre-ordered this book when it was available and the day it came out I read it completely in one sitting. ❤️
Patricia says
Have just finished reading all the 5 books and it was such an insightful read especially as a new therapist getting to learn the feelings of sexually abused survivors …