Review: Shocking!  Reading this pushes a lot of buttons.......
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 13, 2012
I did really like book one so of course, I had to read book two.  It seems that just about everything a reader could count on for Rory has somehow been skewed.  Rory wasn't being very open and honest with the woman he professes to adore and love.  I am surprised that Rory has unfurled to the point he has.  I didn't see any of this book two events coming and I have to admit a certain amount of shock, which I'm sure the writer intended.  I'm almost thinking it is Severin that follows Rory's lead, although Rory had Aurélie believe differently for so long.  I'm also of the belief that the entire Krieger family is very messed up.  Now there is another older brother `Karl' and he is so much worse than Severin ever has been.  Why do they all forgive Karl for his horrible `doings' and why did Rory let it go that Karl did to Aurélie?  Then when they go to Karl's house and Karl makes demands of what Aurélie, Rory, and Severin - what they must do to learn his secret.  That was abhorrent.  Then to find out what Rory and Severin were willing to do to save Aurélie from further `damage' at the hands of Karl: it was sick and why did those brothers do that?  I do think the story has almost gone beyond what this reader can stomach.  Also: why is it okay for Rory to demand Aurélie be faithful to him but if he chooses to be with others eventually, it's to be expected that Aurélie would be fine with it.  Why isn't Aurélie demanding Rory be faithful to her alone?  Then at the ending you have the three brothers together with their women in Las Vegas and a new threat arises and Karl has calmed down a lot.  Why didn't Karl stay completely crazed, demanding, and immoral?  To this reader it'd seem that Karl made an about-face in character.  The man is a rapist.  There is no other word for what he did.Speaking of that command presence that Karl demands of Rory, Severin, and Aurélie: I thought how that came about - odd.  Karl commands and the brothers jump and they all have to dress in black leather (BDSM type outfits).  Aurélie is to wear very little.  After that night (and Rory's disclosures) this reader felt like all three brothers arranged this whole scenario in order to have another get-it-on session with Aurélie.  It's as if the two brothers knew where they were leading Aurélie.  I'm glad the actual couplings-menage sessions were not graphically written out.  Instead the readers are left knowing what occurred and not the details.  I'm thankful the writer didn't go into great details since this whole night just felt bad for Aurélie.  Rory drugs her before going into Karl's place - like he KNEW what was to happen.  Rory states that he and Severin were `close' during teenage years...really, did it stop there?  I don't think so!  Rory definitely got knocked-down a few pegs in this book!  Can he redeem himself at all or is Aurélie so in love with him that she'll be anything (and to anyone) that Rory wishes for her to be?  I really want the stronger Aurélie to show herself again.  I'm just not so sure about Aurélie and Rory, anymore. I'm thinking she needs to dump him and get the miles between them. I do think there is much that Rory still needs to disclose to the woman he claims to love and want to be with forever (except when he may eventually yearn for other `partners' both male and female).  I loved Rory in book one.  Not so much in this book....sadly enough.This book series is like the European-XX-rated version of Dallas.  It's soapy and compelling.  Like watching a snowball fly into your face and you just stand there and let it hit you.  You know you'll react but wait to find out what that hit in the face will feel like before reacting.  The reader reads....becomes uncomfortable....and keeps reading in order to find out just HOW much discomfort they can take.  This is NOT a sweet/sappy/Christian type romance.  Be warned!In spite of my reader's discomfort, I still was entertained and did find enjoyment in this book. The writing is excellent.  I will read the third (and last) book in this series about Rory and Aurélie. I look forward to it.  My comfort zone however, has been breached and maybe a book series like this one is something a romance/erotica reader needs once in a while.  This book series pushes buttons that I didn't know I had!