booklovinmamas's review
5.0
Full Review posted at Book Lovin' Mamas
Falling In definitely has the same elements of my favorite movie, but it's definitely more seductive and wicked. Lucian is very Falling In definitely has the same elements as my favorite movie, but it's more seductive and wicked. Lucian is very domineering in Falling In, and he may have a cold/hot attitude in the book that may drive readers to hate him. In my opinion, though, it made me adore his character more. He grows in the book towards Evelyn, and he's very protective of what he cares about in his life. Evelyn is the sweet, innocent girl at first but she has a different side to her that is going to come forward throughout the book. She doesn't make it easy for Lucian, and she likes to keep her vulnerabilities a secret, but she knows how to handle her vulnerabilities.
If you enjoy, a story that has all the usual elements of contemporary erotic romance with some BDSM elements then Falling In is for you. I give this book 5 full moons, and I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. There is a slight cliffhanger for readers that need a warning ahead of time before diving into the book. I know some readers don't like cliffhangers, but in this case, you need it. =) It makes you want more after reading what certain characters have planned.
Falling In definitely has the same elements of my favorite movie, but it's definitely more seductive and wicked. Lucian is very Falling In definitely has the same elements as my favorite movie, but it's more seductive and wicked. Lucian is very domineering in Falling In, and he may have a cold/hot attitude in the book that may drive readers to hate him. In my opinion, though, it made me adore his character more. He grows in the book towards Evelyn, and he's very protective of what he cares about in his life. Evelyn is the sweet, innocent girl at first but she has a different side to her that is going to come forward throughout the book. She doesn't make it easy for Lucian, and she likes to keep her vulnerabilities a secret, but she knows how to handle her vulnerabilities.
If you enjoy, a story that has all the usual elements of contemporary erotic romance with some BDSM elements then Falling In is for you. I give this book 5 full moons, and I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. There is a slight cliffhanger for readers that need a warning ahead of time before diving into the book. I know some readers don't like cliffhangers, but in this case, you need it. =) It makes you want more after reading what certain characters have planned.
j_kolin's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookwormlala's review
4.0
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK
Scout is a woman that has been homeless all of her life. She obtains a position at a hotel, and one day while cleaning the penthouse, she meets the owner, Lucien. She expects him to fire her for knocking some of his papers over, but instead he ends up propositioning her. They enter a relationship that is supposed to be companionship and sex, her with the hopes of having a more secure future off the streets, but turns into something more.
I liked that we got both POVs, because I wanted to know what Lucien was thinking. I liked his protectiveness and dominance. I liked Scout's drive, independence, and I understood her need for security. We didn't witness them in many social situations, other than with their immediate circle. I dislike Slade. Something is going on with him and the woman he and Lucian used to share. But aren't given many details.And at first, I liked Parker, because I just thought he had Scout's best interest in mind. But with the last chapter, I feel a hint of dislike. The sex was pretty good.I am really looking forward to the next book.
Scout is a woman that has been homeless all of her life. She obtains a position at a hotel, and one day while cleaning the penthouse, she meets the owner, Lucien. She expects him to fire her for knocking some of his papers over, but instead he ends up propositioning her. They enter a relationship that is supposed to be companionship and sex, her with the hopes of having a more secure future off the streets, but turns into something more.
I liked that we got both POVs, because I wanted to know what Lucien was thinking. I liked his protectiveness and dominance. I liked Scout's drive, independence, and I understood her need for security. We didn't witness them in many social situations, other than with their immediate circle. I dislike Slade. Something is going on with him and the woman he and Lucian used to share. But aren't given many details.And at first, I liked Parker, because I just thought he had Scout's best interest in mind. But with the last chapter, I feel a hint of dislike. The sex was pretty good.I am really looking forward to the next book.
ademoraes's review
4.5
"The chocking clouds were pushed back as the buildings grew in size, each one an enormous trophy of some self-important man's arrogance and supplement for his inadequate anatomy."
Wow! I wasn't expecting to like this so much! This was my first book by this author and I found it really good! The writing was clean, to the point, and fun. The characters were super-well developed and realistic. I could relate a lot to Scout. The plot actually made sense and had a good pace and I just couldn't put this one down.
As you must have gathered from the blurb, this is the story of how Evelyn “Scout” Keats, a homeless girl, meets and start the most unlikely of relationships with multimillionaire Lucian Patras, who owns hotels all over the world. The story starts when Evelyn is going to her first day on her new job as a cleaning lady at one of his hotels. Everything is going ok until she is caught in a compromising position while cleaning Lucian's personal room.
Lucian is one of those super alpha characters designed to make you swoon. Used to getting everything he wants. The moment he sets eyes on Evelyn, he wants her. But she is strong-minded, despite being an innocent and uneducated virgin. Eventually, though, she falls for Lucian's charm and accepts his dirty proposal. From there, their relationship starts. And I absolutely loved it! **It was sweet and innocent, at the same time sexy, dirty, and hot as hell.** I rarely find stories like this, that have every component in balance with each other.
There were also some subplots going on about Lucian's family and a friend of Evelyn trying to fuck with Lucian because he is jealous of him being near Evelyn all the time. But you know what? I didn't mind it at all! The relationship between the two characters was so fun to read and the sexual tension always going on between them was so off the charts that I just didn't care about anything else. I'm glad the author developed subplots while, at the same time, kept being focused on the romance aspect. At no time did I see anything overshadowing the amazing development of the special relationship between Lucian and Evelyn.
nicolet2018's review against another edition
3.0
I knew that this would most likely to a Fifty Shades type of book and I avoid these books. But I was intrigued by Evelyn "Scout" the heroine who grew up being homeless and is trying to get out of it by working as a maid at the Patras hotel. I admire female characters who are independent.
It turned out to be worse than Fifty Shades because the difference between Scout and Lucian is so much more extreme. She is lowest while he is the highest in terms of income. This extreme makes the power dynamic in the relationship even more unequal.
At first I thought he was in his forties and she mentions she is twenty two. Another thing I do not like is romances where the couple have a huge age difference. But later, Scout guesses he is in his thirties which confused me.
"Dark hair clipped close to the sides and slightly longer at the top with the tiniest beginnings of silver peppered by his temples."
Page 9, Chapter 1
Things go downhill from the moment she meets the owner of the Patras hotel, Lucian. He decides he likes how she looks and offers to fund her lifestyle if she will be his lover. At first, things are business like but of course feelings come into the picture. I could not stand how dominating he is. He chooses her clothes, food, whether she can work, when they can be intimate..basically everything about her life.
Gosh, I disliked him. But the author tries to make him likeable by giving him friends and family who are nice. A jerk can't possibly have friends and family who like his company can he?
"'Lucian's been my friend for many years. I think you'll find he can be difficult and demanding most of the time, but he's a good person.'"
Page 38, Chapter 6
So it is okay if he is possessive and controlling as long as he is hot, rich and a good person?
Then there is the whole rationalising of his controlling side as him caring. I feel that this can be quite toxic because it sends the wrong message.
"His words were bossy and rude, but there was also a bit of concern beneath his censure. Underneath all of the gruff and growl, she suspected there was a soft little puppy. No, not a puppy, more like a bear cub or baby lion. She hid her smile."
Page 45, Chapter 8
To make things more trope-y, Evelyn is this beautiful woman who doesn't know it but everyone who meets her wants her. She has this perfect body and perfect everything. Ugh, I disliked how she is independent at first but became a doormat once she agrees to be his lover. She goes from working to sitting around all day watching TV and following him around.
"The next few days passed much the same. Lucian worked while Evelyn watched television. She visited the salon on days he had other obligations."
Page 161, Chapter 38
Okay, I admit she did put her foot down because he did not know how to communicate with her and she left, even if it meant she could have died from the cold. And she does say a few meaningful things like:
"Lucian, you can't control everything. What good would it be to have a relationship with someone who's had every bit of individuality stripped from them?'"
Page 81, Chapter 14
It is so obvious that the only thing holding this "relationship" together is his wealth. If he was not rich, Would she be so starry eyed?
She says she would be happy with only his company but I think that is not true.
He gets 22 cakes to celebrate her birthday, which I think is very wasteful because it is just two of them and what are they going to do with 22 cakes, there was even weddings cakes...
Then he buys her 22 Christmas gifts and brings her to a Christmas Tree farm with a horse drawn sleigh and the whole nine yards.
I mean, without him she would not be able to wear such nice clothes, lingerie, shoes, eat well or even sleep in a nice bed. I can see why she is taken with him because he can take care of her. Who is not attracted to that?
She tries to take some power back by saying she wants to work but did she really have any say because he is her boss. He literally tells her supervisor to give her less rooms to clean. It seems more like a symbolic gesture than her having any power at all.
Plus she is homeless so of course she is attracted to this knight in shining armour who can give her the world.
Then the author tries to again make it meaningful by saying they have feelings for one another and have this bond. Please....they have only met for a few days. And I think the author tried to lessen the power gap by having Lucian repeatedly say that Evelyn is like a drug to him, he can't live without her yada yada.....Oh and the part where he takes care of her mother felt fake to me. Yes, he wanted her back and did this amazing thing where he went to the her world - the train tracks where drug addicts and the homeless live. Ohhhh! such a big move.
Okay the sex part was trope-y as well because she is a virgin and he is like the "master of sex and kink". He introduces her to pleasures she has never known and gives her many orgasms! Yay score one for him!
She did try to be mature about being inexperienced but again he was a jerk.
"'Lucian, I know you didn't expect me to be a virgin, but so what? I'm not anymore. You act like it's a bad thing. Look at it this way You're all I've ever known as far as anything sexual. Rather than run from me, teach me.'"
Page 113, Chapter 24
I find it interesting how he makes sure that she understands that she has a choice and a safe word if things get too much but then there is this scene:
"It was too much. He was overwhelming her and she was thinking outside of her head, constantly forgetting what she had been considering from one second to the next, as her body struggled to feel. Scout lifted her palms to his chest and pushes, but he only pulled her closer."
Page 41, Chapter 7
I felt uncomfortable with this. There was the other situation where he pleasures her infront of his friend, Jamie and he did not ask if she was okay with it.
I did not like how he makes her say her body parts are his. What an egotistical person.
"'Your pleasure's mine to give. You don't take it without my permission.'
Her lips formed the sweetest little petulant pout 'Who says?'
'I say.'"
Page 155, Chapter 36
I can not understand how discharge from a women's vagina can be described as sweet or like honey. Tangy sure because of the ph level but I can't get how authors make it sound delicious.
Even Parker tries to talk some sense into Evelyn but she is having none of it.
"'Is that what you think? That he bought me?'
He fingered the lapel of her new jacket. 'Didn't he?'"
"'And does he see you as something more? Does he get the real you that I know or just some dressed-up imitation of what he wants you to be? How could you...how could you give yourself to someone who knows nothing about you? Don't do it, Scout.'"
Page 101-102, Chapter 20
Parker was rude yes but he hits the nail on it's head with his words. They hardly know each other and he did buy her.
The reason why I dislike relationships like this is because of how unhealthy it is. These characters are so dependent on one another that they don't spend their time with others.
"It felt right, sitting there in his arms, letting him touch her. He touched her as if he had a right to. Entitled. That was exactly what it was and she liked it. When Lucian touched her that way it made all her worries take a backseat for awhile. She knew she could come to him with any problem and in no time he'd have a solution for her."
Page 94, Chapter 18
That sounds more like the role of a parent.
"He offered her some Japanese beer, but limited her consumption, keeping in mind she was not yet accustomed to drinking much."
Page 157, Chapter 37
This makes Lucian sound like parent talking about a child.
"'Lucian, can I call my mom?'
He stilled as if he hadn't considered Pearl.
'Of course, I am sorry Evelyn. I should've let you do that first thing. If you want, we can go see her before my sisters arrive.'"
Page 180, Chapter 40
Yeah, Evelyn ask your father if you can call your mother. This odd childish way she talks to him and then her strong willed self felt like whiplash.
But it wasn't all bad with the characters.
If there was one thing that I thought was sweet, it was how he gave her opportunities to learn to read as she was illiterate.
Scout is steadfast in taking care of her mother who is a heroin addict. I admired the way she is the adult as opposed to her mother. How she took the abuse from her mother and still looked out for her.
The first half of the book was plot and the second half was sex. I was annoyed with that because there seems to be alot of plot that could have been used. I wanted to know more about her mother and how she met her father. Evelyn described him as "the dragon". I was wondering if he was from the mafia or a really powerful businessman and Slade seemed suspicious when he meets her.
The storyline where Parker used to be rich and then fell from grace is intriguing too. The point of view switches from Evelyn to Lucian and Parker which actually made it interesting.
This book was definitely not a book I enjoyed and I feel is written for others. I think that if you enjoy a fantasy than this is probably a good pick. But I will not be continuing the series.
It turned out to be worse than Fifty Shades because the difference between Scout and Lucian is so much more extreme. She is lowest while he is the highest in terms of income. This extreme makes the power dynamic in the relationship even more unequal.
At first I thought he was in his forties and she mentions she is twenty two. Another thing I do not like is romances where the couple have a huge age difference. But later, Scout guesses he is in his thirties which confused me.
"Dark hair clipped close to the sides and slightly longer at the top with the tiniest beginnings of silver peppered by his temples."
Page 9, Chapter 1
Things go downhill from the moment she meets the owner of the Patras hotel, Lucian. He decides he likes how she looks and offers to fund her lifestyle if she will be his lover. At first, things are business like but of course feelings come into the picture. I could not stand how dominating he is. He chooses her clothes, food, whether she can work, when they can be intimate..basically everything about her life.
Gosh, I disliked him. But the author tries to make him likeable by giving him friends and family who are nice. A jerk can't possibly have friends and family who like his company can he?
"'Lucian's been my friend for many years. I think you'll find he can be difficult and demanding most of the time, but he's a good person.'"
Page 38, Chapter 6
So it is okay if he is possessive and controlling as long as he is hot, rich and a good person?
Then there is the whole rationalising of his controlling side as him caring. I feel that this can be quite toxic because it sends the wrong message.
"His words were bossy and rude, but there was also a bit of concern beneath his censure. Underneath all of the gruff and growl, she suspected there was a soft little puppy. No, not a puppy, more like a bear cub or baby lion. She hid her smile."
Page 45, Chapter 8
To make things more trope-y, Evelyn is this beautiful woman who doesn't know it but everyone who meets her wants her. She has this perfect body and perfect everything. Ugh, I disliked how she is independent at first but became a doormat once she agrees to be his lover. She goes from working to sitting around all day watching TV and following him around.
"The next few days passed much the same. Lucian worked while Evelyn watched television. She visited the salon on days he had other obligations."
Page 161, Chapter 38
Okay, I admit she did put her foot down because he did not know how to communicate with her and she left, even if it meant she could have died from the cold. And she does say a few meaningful things like:
"Lucian, you can't control everything. What good would it be to have a relationship with someone who's had every bit of individuality stripped from them?'"
Page 81, Chapter 14
It is so obvious that the only thing holding this "relationship" together is his wealth. If he was not rich, Would she be so starry eyed?
She says she would be happy with only his company but I think that is not true.
He gets 22 cakes to celebrate her birthday, which I think is very wasteful because it is just two of them and what are they going to do with 22 cakes, there was even weddings cakes...
Then he buys her 22 Christmas gifts and brings her to a Christmas Tree farm with a horse drawn sleigh and the whole nine yards.
I mean, without him she would not be able to wear such nice clothes, lingerie, shoes, eat well or even sleep in a nice bed. I can see why she is taken with him because he can take care of her. Who is not attracted to that?
She tries to take some power back by saying she wants to work but did she really have any say because he is her boss. He literally tells her supervisor to give her less rooms to clean. It seems more like a symbolic gesture than her having any power at all.
Plus she is homeless so of course she is attracted to this knight in shining armour who can give her the world.
Then the author tries to again make it meaningful by saying they have feelings for one another and have this bond. Please....they have only met for a few days. And I think the author tried to lessen the power gap by having Lucian repeatedly say that Evelyn is like a drug to him, he can't live without her yada yada.....Oh and the part where he takes care of her mother felt fake to me. Yes, he wanted her back and did this amazing thing where he went to the her world - the train tracks where drug addicts and the homeless live. Ohhhh! such a big move.
Okay the sex part was trope-y as well because she is a virgin and he is like the "master of sex and kink". He introduces her to pleasures she has never known and gives her many orgasms! Yay score one for him!
She did try to be mature about being inexperienced but again he was a jerk.
"'Lucian, I know you didn't expect me to be a virgin, but so what? I'm not anymore. You act like it's a bad thing. Look at it this way You're all I've ever known as far as anything sexual. Rather than run from me, teach me.'"
Page 113, Chapter 24
I find it interesting how he makes sure that she understands that she has a choice and a safe word if things get too much but then there is this scene:
"It was too much. He was overwhelming her and she was thinking outside of her head, constantly forgetting what she had been considering from one second to the next, as her body struggled to feel. Scout lifted her palms to his chest and pushes, but he only pulled her closer."
Page 41, Chapter 7
I felt uncomfortable with this. There was the other situation where he pleasures her infront of his friend, Jamie and he did not ask if she was okay with it.
I did not like how he makes her say her body parts are his. What an egotistical person.
"'Your pleasure's mine to give. You don't take it without my permission.'
Her lips formed the sweetest little petulant pout 'Who says?'
'I say.'"
Page 155, Chapter 36
I can not understand how discharge from a women's vagina can be described as sweet or like honey. Tangy sure because of the ph level but I can't get how authors make it sound delicious.
Even Parker tries to talk some sense into Evelyn but she is having none of it.
"'Is that what you think? That he bought me?'
He fingered the lapel of her new jacket. 'Didn't he?'"
"'And does he see you as something more? Does he get the real you that I know or just some dressed-up imitation of what he wants you to be? How could you...how could you give yourself to someone who knows nothing about you? Don't do it, Scout.'"
Page 101-102, Chapter 20
Parker was rude yes but he hits the nail on it's head with his words. They hardly know each other and he did buy her.
The reason why I dislike relationships like this is because of how unhealthy it is. These characters are so dependent on one another that they don't spend their time with others.
"It felt right, sitting there in his arms, letting him touch her. He touched her as if he had a right to. Entitled. That was exactly what it was and she liked it. When Lucian touched her that way it made all her worries take a backseat for awhile. She knew she could come to him with any problem and in no time he'd have a solution for her."
Page 94, Chapter 18
That sounds more like the role of a parent.
"He offered her some Japanese beer, but limited her consumption, keeping in mind she was not yet accustomed to drinking much."
Page 157, Chapter 37
This makes Lucian sound like parent talking about a child.
"'Lucian, can I call my mom?'
He stilled as if he hadn't considered Pearl.
'Of course, I am sorry Evelyn. I should've let you do that first thing. If you want, we can go see her before my sisters arrive.'"
Page 180, Chapter 40
Yeah, Evelyn ask your father if you can call your mother. This odd childish way she talks to him and then her strong willed self felt like whiplash.
But it wasn't all bad with the characters.
If there was one thing that I thought was sweet, it was how he gave her opportunities to learn to read as she was illiterate.
Scout is steadfast in taking care of her mother who is a heroin addict. I admired the way she is the adult as opposed to her mother. How she took the abuse from her mother and still looked out for her.
The first half of the book was plot and the second half was sex. I was annoyed with that because there seems to be alot of plot that could have been used. I wanted to know more about her mother and how she met her father. Evelyn described him as "the dragon". I was wondering if he was from the mafia or a really powerful businessman and Slade seemed suspicious when he meets her.
The storyline where Parker used to be rich and then fell from grace is intriguing too. The point of view switches from Evelyn to Lucian and Parker which actually made it interesting.
This book was definitely not a book I enjoyed and I feel is written for others. I think that if you enjoy a fantasy than this is probably a good pick. But I will not be continuing the series.
quasinice's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
maura_harper's review
3.5
READING CHALLENGE - The 52 Book Club: 2022 Reading Challenge
PROMPT: Begins With The Letter F
TITLE: Falling In - Book 1 The Surrender Trilogy
AUTHOR: Lydia Michaels
RATING: 3.5 stars
I believe this is the first book I've ever read by this author and for this challenge I am trying to ONLY read books that I already owned. I have a signed paperback so must have met this author at a signing.
This is Book 1 of a trilogy and I'm satisfied with the ending and won't be adding the remaining 2 to my TBR list.
A classic "billionaire falls in love with the maid" story, this was a quick read that was pretty predictable. While I won't read the rest of the series, I would read this author again.
PROMPT: Begins With The Letter F
TITLE: Falling In - Book 1 The Surrender Trilogy
AUTHOR: Lydia Michaels
RATING: 3.5 stars
I believe this is the first book I've ever read by this author and for this challenge I am trying to ONLY read books that I already owned. I have a signed paperback so must have met this author at a signing.
This is Book 1 of a trilogy and I'm satisfied with the ending and won't be adding the remaining 2 to my TBR list.
A classic "billionaire falls in love with the maid" story, this was a quick read that was pretty predictable. While I won't read the rest of the series, I would read this author again.
franjessca's review
5.0
Full Review posted at Book Lovin' Mamas
Falling In definitely has the same elements of my favorite movie, but it's definitely more seductive and wicked. Lucian is very Falling In definitely has the same elements as my favorite movie, but it's more seductive and wicked. Lucian is very domineering in Falling In, and he may have a cold/hot attitude in the book that may drive readers to hate him. In my opinion, though, it made me adore his character more. He grows in the book towards Evelyn, and he's very protective of what he cares about in his life. Evelyn is the sweet, innocent girl at first but she has a different side to her that is going to come forward throughout the book. She doesn't make it easy for Lucian, and she likes to keep her vulnerabilities a secret, but she knows how to handle her vulnerabilities.
If you enjoy, a story that has all the usual elements of contemporary erotic romance with some BDSM elements then Falling In is for you. I give this book 5 full moons, and I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. There is a slight cliffhanger for readers that need a warning ahead of time before diving into the book. I know some readers don't like cliffhangers, but in this case, you need it. =) It makes you want more after reading what certain characters have planned.
Falling In definitely has the same elements of my favorite movie, but it's definitely more seductive and wicked. Lucian is very Falling In definitely has the same elements as my favorite movie, but it's more seductive and wicked. Lucian is very domineering in Falling In, and he may have a cold/hot attitude in the book that may drive readers to hate him. In my opinion, though, it made me adore his character more. He grows in the book towards Evelyn, and he's very protective of what he cares about in his life. Evelyn is the sweet, innocent girl at first but she has a different side to her that is going to come forward throughout the book. She doesn't make it easy for Lucian, and she likes to keep her vulnerabilities a secret, but she knows how to handle her vulnerabilities.
If you enjoy, a story that has all the usual elements of contemporary erotic romance with some BDSM elements then Falling In is for you. I give this book 5 full moons, and I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. There is a slight cliffhanger for readers that need a warning ahead of time before diving into the book. I know some readers don't like cliffhangers, but in this case, you need it. =) It makes you want more after reading what certain characters have planned.
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