Review: An intense and powerfully emotional story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 22, 2013
I read Mutual Release about six months ago and didn’t realize that I never submitted a review.  This story is written as a standalone but to me, since I have read all of the books in the Stewart Realty series, beginning with Floor Time, I liked the fact that I already knew some of the other characters, and especially Jack Gordon.Liz is excellent at interweaving details of each person’s life and making you feel like you are a part of the story.  Her character development is phenomenal!  I felt the pain that Evan and Julie dealt with growing up, with dysfunctional homes, and trying to find their way into adulthood.The story starts with Evan Adams while he is still in high school.  He has a close relationship with his fraternal twin sister, but things change with the addition of Damien, a young man that the parents have taken in like another son.  Damien is a manipulator and things go to hell.  Evan can’t wait to leave all of this behind when he goes to college.Evan and Jack Gordon meet while attending law school and if you have read any of the other Stewart Realty series, you will know there is a BDSM aspect included for some of the characters.  Evan learns control, something that is essential to him.Then Julie Dawson’s story is introduced when she is in high school and at first I was a little thrown and wanting to continue with Evan’s story.  But Liz wanted to show Julie’s life as a teenager and the difficulties she faced, prior to Julie and Evan meeting as adults.  Growing up, Julie had a mother only interested in marrying a wealthy man and who doesn’t protect her daughter.  Julie learns to distrust everyone and, like Evan, requires control in her life.When Evan and Julie meet, he is instantly attracted to her and she resists him.  Evan wants Julie to trust him and let him protect her.  She can’t let go of her past, so it becomes a push-pull relationship.  The erotic scenes are so hot and even though I’ve never been involved in BDSM, Evan knows how to take care of a sub/partner, but he requires complete control over everything.Damien returns to Evan’s life and it is like the devil is loose with the damage he causes Evan’s sister and family.  This story pulls you in, with the twists and turns, and there are harrowing parts with Damien.My heart just clenched knowing how scared Julie was of sharing her past and giving up control and Evan intent on the two of them being together.  This is an amazing, powerful, and intense story and I highly recommend it.  Liz writes real life and not a fairytale HEA.  (Also the Stewart Realty series beginning with Floor Time, there are 6 books prior to Mutual Release.  And now in November 2013, Good Faith, the last book of the series is now available.)