Review: 4.5 stars! A steamy, second chance love story.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 4, 2014
We met Sean in Temporary Bliss as he was one of three of Makenna's friends with benefits. He is the successful lawyer and club owner, dominant alpha and always in control. We met Sam in True Bliss. She is the tough as nails police officer who trained Zander and  is now his new partner and friend. Their lives have connections that neither of them realize. Ten years after she walked away from him, Sam and Sean Cross paths again.Sammy left him unexpectedly a decade ago and  broke both of their hearts. They developed their careers and moved on as best they could, but were still each other's "one that got away".  When their lives surprisingly converge again, their connection and chemistry is immediately re-sparked. But there are secrets, issues, and fundamental differences between them that caused their separation then and will affect their present.(Quote)He's Sean f***ing Miller. Love of my life, regret of the century. The superstar of my fantasies.(Quote)Samantha Richards, the woman who once held all the power and refused to acknowledge it. The woman who walked out of my life and rejected me with no explanation. The woman who deserted me at a time when I needed her most.I really loved Sean. He was all about control, but Sam could bring him to his knees. He knew he had to get her back, but was terrified to be hurt again. So it was fun seeing the always in control man practically walk on eggshells at times while pushing her at others, and to see the cracks in his armor. And Sam was supposed to be the Ice Queen. She was not supposed to be so affected and vulnerable, but Sean was the only man who could make her feel weak. And she had to deal with the fact that she made mistakes, she was confused, and she needed to figure out what she really needed to be happy.Their past was perfect, then painful, then full of regret and loss. But can they figure out their issues and come together again for good this time or are they destined to be torn apart by the same problems? Will she allow her submissive side to be seen again and let Sean dominate her or is she too into control herself?It's a dance between dominance, submission, intense chemistry, and unresolved feelings. They are both strong, control driven, and determined, but they make each other vulnerable. They each hold the power to to destroy the other one completely. It was interesting to see these two people that put on this facade of complete control, power, and intimidation in their careers and regular lives, but when faced with each other they have a desperate need, longing, and fears and insecurities.I enjoyed spending more time with Zander and Kate (True Bliss) and meeting her friends Helen and Rico. They provided comic relief, support, and ass kicking when needed. His younger brother Ryan was such a broken, troubled young man but I could not help liking him and feeling sorry for him. His whole situation added external drama and suspense to the story. And the interconnections between Makenna (Temporary Bliss) and her previous friends with benefits continue to have repercussions in the lives of those men she was involved with. We still have Dr. Noah's story to look forward to in Finding Bliss.I was pleasantly surprised by Sean. We thought of him as such a strong, mysterious Dom, but underneath he was such a sweetheart and his having Sammy was as much about feelings and need than it was about controlling her. They had hot chemistry and smokin' scenes, but it was more about the passion and need than it was about toys and him taking utter control and dominance over her. Their roles came naturally to this couple in their giving and receiving pleasure and it did not feel like a forced Dom/Sub situation where it was all about the toys, role play, etc. So I felt that the sex scenes were more in tune with their actual feelings, personalities, and true caring for each other than just there for erotic content. But they were definitely there and part of the story.So this was a sweet, second chance love story that also had humor, romance, danger, steam, and drama. It was told in both points of view allowing us to see their innermost thoughts, feelings, and fears. This couple was likable and felt real. Fans of this series, will like this one as well. All of the books have a bit of a different vibe. This one was not overly angsty or full of frustrating relationship drama. It felt like more of a real journey of two people to find their way back home, come to terms with what had come before, and figure out how to move on personally and together. And it was served with a side of steam and passion.I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.