REVIEW: Taking It All by Maya Banks

In Taking It All (Surrender Trilogy #3) by Maya Banks, Chessy and Tate have been married for 5 years. He is her Dominant and she is his Submissive. The last year or two though, Chessy has felt the intensity and closeness of their relationship lesson, as Tate seems more interested in building up his business. Lately she has felt like he is less interested in her, and even wonders if he’s found someone else. Chessy is very unhappy, and plans to finally open up to Tate and let him know how she’s feeling.

When their anniversary dinner date ends without even starting, Tate plans a special surprise for Chessy, to prove to her that he wants her just as much now as he always has. But a night of fun goes horribly wrong…pushing them even farther apart. To the point that Chessy isn’t sure she can trust Tate again, or stay in a relationship that makes her feel so unhappy, unsafe, and unloved. Can Chessy forgive Tate? Will they find their way back to each other? Tate is determined to win Chessy back and prove his love and devotion to her.

Soon there is more going on than just the two of them finding their future…and Chessy finds herself stepping out of her submissive self to take charge of her future. Can they ever get what they had back, or is it finally too late?

Taking It All is an emotionally deep book that is very easy to get into. Maya bravely takes on subjects that are rarely addressed in such a raw manner – from the night of fun that goes horribly wrong to Chessy realizing that in relinquishing all control to Tate, if she leaves him she will be unable to support herself. Whatever I think about it, I liked how Maya took an unexpected path in Taking It All and really shows how Chessy tries to work through it all. Chessy is realistic, her emotions are all over the map…which I think is believable when a strong relationship is suddenly on rocky ground and their is so much uncertainty. Tate is a Dominant who seems to have lost a bit of who he is in the business world. He is oblivious to Chessy’s feelings, and if he’s not careful he’ll lose her forever.

I liked catching up with the other couples from this series, but was so glad to finally read Chessy’s story! Maya did a great job of building up the suspense of what was going on with her throughout the series. I would recommend reading this series in order.

Chessy’s friends are the main secondary characters in Taking It All, and I really liked them and her connection with them. They give Chessy strength and unconditional love, no matter what she does, and I think this non judgemental quality in her friends really gives strength to the plot.

Fast paced and plot driven, Taking It All is an emotional roller coaster with some unexpected (explicit) scenes that some might find disturbing. I think they are an integral part of the plot, and a turning point in Chessy and Tate’s relationship.

I’d recommend Taking It All (and the whole series) to erotic romance readers.

Book Info:

Published August 5th 2014 by Berkley Trade | (Surrender Trilogy #3)

Chessy and Tate have been married for several years. In the beginning, their relationship was everything she wanted. Passionate. All consuming. She offered her submission freely and Tate cherished her gift with a tenderness that made her feel safe. Content. Wanted. And loved beyond all measure. But as the years have gone by, Tate has become more immersed in making his business the success it has become, and Chessy has taken a back seat to his business obligations. Growing unhappier with the status of their once blissful marriage, Chessy knows that something has to give. Or they stand to lose it all

Tate loves his wife. Has always loved her. Providing for her has always been his number one priority. But lately she’s seemed unhappy, and he’s worried. Worried enough that he arranges for a night together that he hopes will reignite the fire that once burned like an inferno between them.

But a business call at the wrong time threatens everything. Chessy’s safety, his concentration, his wife’s faith in him as her husband, a man sworn to love and protect her above all else. Gutted with the realization that he’s going to lose her—has already lost her—he readies for the fight of his life. Whatever it takes, he’ll get her back. And prove to her that nothing is more important than her love. And that if she’ll allow him to prove himself one more time, he’ll take it all. Everything. But he’ll give far more back. Himself. His undying love.