Sylvia Day Bared to You

I preface this post by saying how much I resisted reading this book. Everywhere it was being compared to a book I thought was ridiculous and horribly written. Because of that, I didn't touch this book for MONTHS. Then it was spring break and I decided what the heck, let's see how this goes and I curled up on my couch where I flew through not only Bared to You, but Reflected in You, in two days.

The moral of this review is: Don't judge a book by the books it's compared to because often people are talking about apples and oranges. Make your own decision.

It's not a perfect book. I will say that right up front. I think at times, neither character is very likable. Is the plot completely realistic and super structured, no- but then again, I don't read books for realistic plots either. It's an escape, a fantasy. Gideon Cross is rich, hot, perfect, controlling, damaged, and possessive. Eva is feisty, needy, emotional, damaged, distrusting and possessive. Together they are wild, argumentative, confusing, and unhealthily attached to one another. And they have sex more than any couple I've ever read about. I don't know how they could walk, let alone function every day at work frankly, but it's not reality, so who cares?

Sexual abuse and recovery from it is a recurring theme in these books which could be upsetting to some readers so please keep that in mind.

Go into this book with the right frame of mind and I think you'll enjoy it. It definitely isn't boring!

Here's my review of:

Bared to You

Bared to You by Sylvia Day
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I debated reading this book for a looong time. I had it on my TBR list but the fact that I saw it constantly compared to a book I absolutely loathed... I resisted. This week, I finally broke down and read it and was pleasantly surprised.

Eva is a woman who has come to New York looking for a new start and getting away from some things in her past. Gideon is an uber rich, sexy, mogul who Eva crosses paths with while working in the same office building, one he happens to own and work in as well. Immediately sparks fly between them and their relationship blooms fast and furious.

Both Eva and Gideon are damaged, horribly so, and because of that they aren't very 'good' at relationships. They hurt each other constantly and have tremendous amounts of make-up sex but in the end they don't give up on one another and see their relationship through all the ups and down, and there are a lot of them!

I have to say, I went into this book, knowing what to expect. I've seen some reviews talking about it being a book with a lot of sex and little plot... and the plot was not that complicated, but I wasn't expecting a book that was going to become a piece of epic literature. I expected a hot read that would allow me to escape cleaning my house for a while with sexy characters that I'd remember. And one written by someone who could formulate a well structured sentence without making me roll my eyes.(cough50cough) If you go into it with that frame of mind, I think you'll enjoy the book.

What I didn't like:
Did this whirlwind relationship have them practically living together in the matter of a day or two- yes. Did I want to slap Eva a few times, absolutely. Was Gideon Cross an overbearing, controlling jerk, yep. Were there some things in the plot that I kinda went huh? as I read them, definitely.

BUT is my house still a wreck because I read both this and Reflected in You back to back.... you betcha!

If you're looking for a hot, summer read by the pool, consider checking this book out.

Thanks for Reading my Mind.

View all my reviews

Books into Movies

I was organizing the shelves on my Nook the other day (I'm very OCD about my books) and kept smiling, remembering the different series and the amazing characters the authors created. There are so many great stories, some that have been made into movies and some that have not. 

My personal rule- if I've read the book first, I set my expectations low for the movie because it cannot ever live up to the vision in my mind. The way the characters look, act and speak are all in my head and to see different people, with costumes and editing that differ from that, it takes something away from me enjoying the film. As long as I go into a movie thinking "it won't be as good as the book' I'm typically not disappointed. If I get excited about the movie and dare to re-read the book before I see the movie, then I typically don't enjoy the film because I notice all the differences and changes they've made and it drives me crazy.

Are there books I'd love to see as movies? Definitely. Are there books that should NOT be made into movies? Absolutely. Are there movies I love that are also books? Yep. But I won't read the book after I see the movie because I won't 'see it' through my eyes, I'll simply see the actors in my head so what's the point?

Harry Potter was a great adaptation of the book, but as the series went on it had it's holes. Twilight was hands down the worst movie adaptation of a book which is a shame with the popularity it had. Hunger Games remains to be seen, there's so much more to come, it's too early to say. Divergent has promise- but I'll be holding my breath and crossing my fingers that they don't ruin Four for me :)

 

For now, I'll simply watch all my favorite books in the movie in my mind.

What do you think? What are some great books made into successful movies that live up to the book? What would you LOVE to see made into a movie?

Thanks for Reading My Mind.

~ Lexi