Review: Book content good, format terrible!!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 15, 2012
Okay.  Let me just say I am telling MYSELF--I told you so.  I read the reviews.  I knew what I was getting into.  Yet..I was intrigued.  Yes, the format drove me crazy.  2 chapters, $2...and done.  Download another....8 times.  And I was also mad that 7 of the 8 books included the SAME "bonus" chapter from her new book.  So, even though Kindle tells you each of the books is 60-70 pages, it's really only 70% of that book, and 30% of her new book.  Again, cheated.  Clearly NO one would start this series on book 4...so why the need to put the same chapter in every book is beyond me.  Same reason it was beyond me to break the book up 8 times.  So, basically I paid $16 all said and done to read a 300 page book.  A little excessive.  I really wish the author and the publisher would revisit, combine all 8 books into 1 and sell it that way.  I think you'd see the reviews go up and people really focus on the story rather than the format.  If you look at all of the negative feedback on here, the 1-2 stars, it's mainly people being turned off by the format--not the writing.Anyway, let's get to the good stuff.  The book itself?  I loved 50 Shades of Grey series.  Loved every word of it.  And well, I felt a little like this was a ripoff. Different names...different jobs....different city backdrop, but same basic plot line.  Innocent, inexperienced girl meets excessively wealthy, control freak, messed up "I'm not into relationships, my tastes are singular, you need to stay away from me" man.  Yet what happens?  Of course....he "has" to have her, and after experiencing her first "punishment", she falls for him.  But will he open himself up to fall for her?  I will say, that given my deep love for 50 Shades and all things Christian Grey, I did like reading another similar story.  Ian Noble is charming.  The author does a great job painting a portrait of a very intelligent, sexy man who gets what he wants when he wants it. You want him to turn out to be the good guy.  I agree with the reviewers who also stayed through the entire series, that you do feel rushed at the end.  Things build over 7 books, and then it kind of comes to an abrupt end.  I was happy with the ending, yes...but felt like too much was crammed into the last book.  Esp the final chapter.  I did finish it all in one day.  Read all 8 books over several hours in one day.  So from that standpoint, I would say it kept me engaged.  I did like the story.  I actually finished it, and was sad--as unlike 50 Shades, that's it. I would love to see where the next chapter of Ian and Francesca's story goes.  But...as a whole book, not 8 more small books.  Would I recommend it to a friend?  Yes.  If you can get past the format, and you want a quick read with engaging characters, some hot scenes--go for it.  Do yourself a favor though--and download all 8 books at once.  You will make yourself crazy finishing, and then going back to amazon.com again and again 8 times!