It seems I have been waiting for this book for so long!  I could not wait to get back into Ethan and Brynne's story. And I was enthralled by the this book right from the first page as it starts up right where ALL IN left off. I swear I fall in love with Ethan Blackstone a little more each book. He is the man that likes to be in control, yet can lose control so easily around Brynne. He understands Brynne's triggers and he supports her and is so protective and loving. But his physical need for her is so great(and it is mutual) that they are often out of control together.  Their chemistry is still explosive, their need for each other is intense, and they have grown so close that they can barely stand to be apart. They have perfect sexual chemistry and compatibility with him being more dominant and her willing to submit. But their passion is just an extension of the true love they share.  Ethan knows exactly what he wants for them and does not waver in his devotion to Brynne. She is more skittish and scared of change and commitent. It takes her longer to come to terms with actually being in a real relationship  and what that means. She loves Ethan, but sometimes it is all just a little too much for her to handle. But Ethan is becoming a master at handling Brynne. 

I'd let someone in. The hard shell around my heart had been compromised, and very thoroughly too. Ethan had done it. He'd worked on me, and pushed me and demanded my attention. He never gave up on me and loved me in spite of my cavern of emotional issues. Ethan did all that for me. And Now I could revel in the fact that I was loved by a man whom I loved in return. 

I didn't care about her past, It changed nothing in my feelings for her. She was the one--the one person I  needed to be with. Now it was just a matter of convincing her of this fact. And I will...because I love her. 

"They are looking at you, but my eyes have really only been opened since you came into my world. you gave me everything. You made me really want to see what was around me, for the first time in my adult life. You made me want you. You made me want...a life. You were my greatest gift of all, Ethan James Blackstone." 

She was the first person to really see inside me. Only her eyes seemed even capable of doing it. Only my Brynne's eyes.

But I was just waiting for the threat to make itself known. It has been building up since the beginning so it was tense waiting for the bottom to fall out.  Will Ethan be able to do enough to protect her and keep her safe? Or will he face losing her now that she is finally his?

If anything ever happened to her, I'd be finished. This was my truth.

I'd heard others speak about it. I'd read about it in books. Now I understood. The fear that you have when you finally give your heart away to another person. It makes you very vulnerable to loss. If you never love anyone, then you'll never be hurt when they don't love you back or when they leave you. 

This book is erotic, sweet, intense, suspenseful, sad, and exciting. I was totally engaged in it and sorry when I reached the last page. I love that Raine gave us both Ethan and Brynne's alternating points of view. I really enjoyed meeting Ethan's sister, brother in law, niece, and nephew. His little niece Zara was incorrigible and had me giggling. It was fun to see Ethan in a more family oriented setting as well.  I really enjoyed the story and their relationship, but sometimes it gets overshadowed by the sex scenes since these two are so hot and heavy for each other. But this book lived up to my expectations that were set pretty high.   I am looking forward to the 4th installment  of the Blackstone series scheduled for the end of 2013 and also the  spin off Rothvale series. 

This is what Raine says about the Rothvale Series:  The Rothvale Legacy is coming sometime in 2013 and will belong to two very special couples: Graham and Imogene from 1812, and Ivan and Gabrielle from 2012. The modern portion will overlap into the world where Ethan and Brynne are living their lives which I think will be fun for readers to connect back to Blackstone Affair. Rothvale Legacy will be two books, both full-length–one taking place in the past, and one contemporary.  The stories are linked around a series of paintings and one very special portrait in particular.  The first book  is called The Muse, taking place in 1812. It will tell the story of Ivan’s ancestor, Graham Everley, and can be considered a 200 year prequel to Ivan and Gabrielle’s story which is why it will come out first, I hope in late summer 2013.

Thanks to Raine Miller and Atria Publishing for providing me with an ARC review copy in exchange for an honest review. Quotes were checked with version purchased on Amazon.