Review: All-too-real, broadside blow... makes this series not just your average "Fifty Shades" pastiche.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 13, 2014
The second installment of the "Gaming The System" series, by breakout author Brenna Aubrey, "At Any Turn", begins with sexy, gaming mogul Adam Drake finishing up his month long trek on the grueling Pacific Crest Trail. After weeks of solace, unplugged and away from his company, he knows he is ready for the next big step - marriage--now that he's at the top of his own game and confessed his enigmas to the newfound love of his life, Mia Strong. Mia, who sold her virginity to Adam in an online auction to raise money for medical school and pay a mountain of debts in Book 1, has lots of choices to make as well. And though her love for Adam is all encompassing, can she really forgo her lifelong dream of medical school at Johns Hopkins-- all the way across the country? What is she thinking? Everyone knows long distance relationships rarely survive.And just when all the pieces seem to be falling into place, why has Mia become so secretive? Not usually the best with people skills, Adam is perceptive enough to know something is wrong. "We were in alien, distant territory now and I had no idea how we'd find our way back home. Back into each other's arms. Not until all the secrets were cleared between us. And wasn't that ironic, when our whole relationship had been founded on secrets - huge secrets- all by my own doing? I didn't believe in karma, but if I did, this would be one of those moments where I'd be cursing it, because it was now biting me on the ass." Not knowing the cause of Mia's uncharacteristic and sudden retreat, coupled with her unwillingness to share, makes Adam paranoid and suspicious. And we all know, nothing good ever comes from those two traits."At Any Turn", told from Adam's point of view, really made me feel his frustration. "Maybe she was just too immature, too much of a coward. Just too young, like Jordan and Lindsay had said. She wasn't in the same place I was because she couldn't be. That thought dug into my gut, hurting most of all because there was no way in hell I had any control over it." And yet, he knows Mia needs his help but quickly learns that attempting to solve the problem with his checkbook, only makes things worse. But hang on until the end--all will be revealed as there is a valid, understandable reason. All the clues were there all along!Sprinkled with tender moments --and some steamy love scenes -Brenna Aubrey's second installment, "At Any Turn", is a smart, sensual, compelling read. Although darker than "At Any Price", there are still several clever, snort-worthy laughs. The turn of events was not at all what I was expecting. But I think it's that all-too-real, broadside blow that makes this series not just your average "Fifty Shades" pastiche. I can hardly wait for book 3.