Chessy and Tate have been married for several years. In the beginning, their relationship was everything she wanted. Passionate. All consuming. She offered her submission freely and Tate cherished her gift with a tenderness that made her feel safe. Content. Wanted. And loved beyond all measure. But as the years have gone by, Tate has become more immersed in making his business the success it has become, and Chessy has taken a back seat to his business obligations. Growing unhappier with the status of their once blissful marriage, Chessy knows that something has to give. Or they stand to lose it all
Tate loves his wife. Has always loved her. Providing for her has always been his number one priority. But lately she’s seemed unhappy, and he’s worried. Worried enough that he arranges for a night together that he hopes will reignite the fire that once burned like an inferno between them.
But a business call at the wrong time threatens everything. Chessy’s safety, his concentration, his wife’s faith in him as her husband, a man sworn to love and protect her above all else. Gutted with the realization that he’s going to lose her—has already lost her—he readies for the fight of his life. Whatever it takes, he’ll get her back. And prove to her that nothing is more important than her love. And that if she’ll allow him to prove himself one more time, he’ll take it all. Everything. But he’ll give far more back. Himself. His undying love.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was the story I was waiting for since the first book in the trilogy. I really enjoyed the first book, Letting Go, with Joss and Dash and it did an excellent job of introducing the characters for the next two books. I wanted book two to be Chessy’s and Tate’s story because their situation was so compelling. It wasn’t obviously, but Giving In, Kylie’s and Jensen’s story was excellent and I learned more about Chessy and Tate in it. Finally, with Taking It All, I get their story.
And I didn’t like it.
Okay, I liked it, but it wasn’t the story I hoped for. I thought some of the dialogue was stilted and didn’t flow like Maya Bank’s normal writing. The scene for the anniversary dinner could almost have been lifted from another book by Banks, Stay With Me, which by the way is an excellent book. There were differences of course, but the basis was still the same.
I had a really hard time liking or believing in Tate. Even after he realized he was losing Chessy, he still was too wrapped up in his business. The scene where her life was threatened went too far. I can’t say much without spoilers, but there were other people who would have intervened to help her sooner than they did.
Even after all that, the story was satisfying. Not only did I get to see how things worked out between Chessy and Tate, but I got to see the development of the relationships between Joss and Dash and Kylie and Jensen. I feel like I have read one long book rather than three individual ones. Everything flowed together so well.
Read this book, but only if you have read the first two of the trilogy. They really do make a great story and you will like how everything works out for the three couples.
Elaine Reads . . . constantly! 