REVIEW: Giving In by Maya Banks

In Giving In (Surrender Trilogy #2) by Maya Banks, The abuse and horrors of her childhood still haunt Kylie Breckenridge to this day, never allowing her to really trust anyone. Especially men. With her brother Carson gone, she feels alone aside from her two best friends Joss and Chessy and their husbands Chase and Tate. Things change completely the day her boss, Jensen Tucker, makes his interest in Kylie known. She’s not looking for a relationship. But Jensen isn’t giving up on showing her that they are meant to be together, that he understands her past more than she can realize. The question is: can Kylie put her trust and her heart into his hands without the panic that hides inside her taking over?

“The very last thing I want is for you to fear me, and no matter what it takes, Kylie, I’m going to prove to you that you are absolutely safe with me. Safer than you’ll ever be with anyone else. I will never hurt you. Never.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “I don’t want to be afraid of you.”

Jensen Tucker hasn’t been able to get Kylie out of his head since he first saw her. And he’s heard second hand from his business partner Chase about her abusive upbringing. He understands her reservations in getting close to anyone and knows he’s just the very person who can break down those walls she’s built around her heart. But Jensen must tread lightly. Kylie won’t tolerate his natural dominance, so he must give up control when it comes to intimacy. Certainly a first for him. But Jensen is sure Kylie will be worth any effort on his part.

“But a woman who surrenders emotionally to the man who has her care in his hands is a very precious thing. And that’s what I want from you, Kylie. Your emotional surrender. Your trust. Your heart. Your soul.”
“Wow,” she whispered. “You don’t ask for much.”

So. Much. Love. And self-reflection. And pain. Giving In is a maelstrom of emotions from beginning to end, which is something I’ve come to love and expect from Maya Banks and her novels.

‘He treated her like she was precious. Breakable. With tenderness she didn’t fully comprehend but that she savored wholly.’

The title of the book is a perfect way to describe Kylie and Jensen’s relationship. They both had to be willing to give in to their emotions, let go of their pasts, and give up control in certain aspects of their lives to make it work. At first it was difficult for me to accept that a dominant personality like Jensen would give up any control, especially in the bedroom. But based on his determination to protect and cherish Kylie, it felt right as the story progressed. And I loved that part, really. How Jensen always spoke reverently about her, putting her needs first. So romantic and completely alpha male.

Kylie was such a brave, fierce woman. I had to give her major kudos for handling everything she dealt with growing up and turning out so successful. Her shame, guilt, and hang-ups on her past seemed very realistic. She was one of those characters that I truly hoped would get her HEA. It was only fair. For both her and Jensen, actually. And speaking of Jensen…he was a swoon-worthy character if ever I’ve read one. *sigh* The lengths he went through for Kylie to make her feel safe and loved were astounding. Certainly a little unorthodox as well, but definitely memorable. Even though there were not a lot of love scenes here, every single one was hot beyond compare.

Whether or not you’ve read book one, Letting Go, I think you’ll really like getting to know Jensen and Kylie. And if you’re not already a fan of Maya Banks’ work…you will be after reading this one!

Book Info:

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Expected publication: May 6th 2014 by Berkley Trade

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.