REVIEW: Need Me by Cynthia Eden

In Need Me (Dark Obsession #3) by Cynthia Eden, Julianna has already been convicted in the public eye for her husband’s murder. But Julianna couldn’t have killed her husband, could she? While she is waiting for her trial and surviving what life has thrown at her, Julianna is also scared. Someone is out to get her…

Not wanting to die and tired of being afraid, Julianna hires VJS to protect her. Devlin, one of the three partners in VJS, takes one look at Julianna and is both mesmerized and doubtful about her. When danger happens a little too close for comfort, Devlin takes on the task of keeping Julianna safe. He’s just not sure from who or what, and Julianna is not being forth coming with information about herself and her past. Devlin knows Julianna isn’t being truthful with him, but the more he is around her, the more he not only wants to keep her safe, the more he wants her. The instant attraction is there for Julianna too…and she’s ready to let go of some of the ghosts of her past to be with Devlin. But does she feel safe enough with him to open up and spill her secrets?

As danger and death creep closer, the plots twists and turns giving rise to many questions…Did Julianna kill her husband? If not her, who and why? When more murder happens and Julianna is under suspicion again, can Devlin keep her safe and help her clear her name? Or will it be too late for that and for them?

Need Me is fast paced, edgy and hot. The instant attraction between Devlin and Julianna steams off the pages, and I liked how they didn’t deny that for long. The chemistry between them was there and it didn’t take the whole book for them to act on it. Instead, the focus of the plot is what is happening with Julianna with a combustible romance woven in. I really liked the main plot of Need Me and how Cynthia works in the secondary characters and makes them part of the big picture.

I found Julianna difficult to like. I did feel sorry for her and what she went through, but for me it was frustrating that she wanted help, wanted to stay alive and even hired protection, but she kept so many secrets that impacted her safety. She also was quick to ignore what Devlin as her security guard said, and jumped into a lot of dangerous situations without another thought. I do think Cynthia gives a good background and build up with Julianna to understand where she is today, and even though I didn’t particularly care for her that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of Need Me. I did like Devlin, he was protective and caring at the same time. He does what’s right and helps other people. For a security guard he let himself be easily distracted by Julianna though! They are an unexpected match, but could work well together. Devlin doesn’t trust easily, but he’s trusted Julianna from the start.

Cynthia kept me guessing with her suspenseful plot, and the title of the whole series (Dark Obsession) is perfect…because there is a lot of darkness and obsession going on in not only Need Me, but the other books in this series. Well written and easy to become absorbed into, Need Me was so fast paced and twisted at times it was a little hard to keep up with everything and everyone. That just made me want to turn the pages quicker, trying to figure it all out!

Need Me can be read as a stand alone if you haven’t read the other books in this series. I would recommend Need Me to romantic suspense readers who like a lot of heat, mystery wrapped up in a quick read.

Book Info:

Published February 24th 2015 | (Dark Obsession #3)

Innocent…or guilty?

The cops think that Julianna Smith is a murderer. No one will listen when Julianna claims she’s innocent, and as the suspicions mount against her, only Julianna knows the truth…a killer is hunting her. Somewhere in the darkness, a stalker is closing in and preparing to deliver a final justice that she can’t escape.

He’s her only option.

Devlin Shade isn’t a man who trusts easily, and when Julianna Smith walks into VJS Protection, he’s well aware of her reputation—the sexy blond could be a cold-blooded murderer. Only when he looks at her, cold is the last thing that Devlin feels. There’s an instant attraction between them—hot, fierce, primal. And he agrees to take her case. He’ll be her bodyguard. He’ll keep her safe from the enemy hunting her, and he’ll also find out the truth about the mysterious Julianna. If she is a killer, he’ll turn her over to the cops himself.

She can’t let him get too close…

Julianna knows that she is walking a dangerous line with Devlin. She never expected to want him so much, and as they grow closer, she realizes that he’s working to uncover her secrets. But the secrets that she carries are worth killing for…and she can’t let anyone discover the truth, not even Devlin.

Killer or victim…

Soon the thin line between right and wrong is blurred. For Devlin, the case becomes personal, and all that matters is Julianna—keeping her safe and stopping the stalker who is on her trail. As he slides deeper into Julianna’s dangerous world, Devlin’s own darkness rises up. He’s played the good guy for so long, but now his mask is falling away. He isn’t controlled, he isn’t safe, and when Julianna is threatened, he will cross any line to keep her safe.

NEED ME.

Some needs can push you to the edge of sanity…