DOMINATED (THE ENFORCER #2)

Title: Dominated

Series: The Enforcer Series #2

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Author: Maya Banks

Publisher: Berkley Penguin Group

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Blurb :

To save her, he had to betray her...

In Drake’s shadowy world, his enemies would exploit any weakness he had in order to bring him to his knees, and so he’s never allowed himself to care about anyone...never exhibited any vulnerability, and it made him a force to be reckoned with. Until Evangeline—his angel. A woman who slipped past his defenses like no one had ever managed. She was his to protect and ultimately, to do that, he had to do the unthinkable and drive the only good thing in his world away.

But he will stop at nothing to get her back...

Devastated and destroyed, Evangeline doesn’t know what made Drake turn on her in such a shocking manner. She only knows she’ll never be the same. He once freed her from all her inhibitions, only now she is a prisoner to never-ending pain. But when Drake finds her again, she realizes there is more to his world than she ever imagined, and she must decide if she can once more trust—and submit—to the man who holds her wounded heart in his hands. And he must convince her of just how far he’ll go to regain her love and forgiveness.

Nikki’s Thoughts:

I have been a huge fan of Maya Banks, for what seems like forever. When the first book in this series ended on a serious cliffhanger, I was beyond pissed. I was utterly savage for this book, I needed to see where Drake and Evangeline ended up. Needless to say, I gobbled this book right up!

This series has a much different feel than anything else, Maya has written. It's darker. Drake isn't exactly a good guy; he's definitely the antihero. Evangeline rubbed me the wrong way so many times. She was often spineless and way too forgiving. Their dynamic was more of a 24/7 Dom/sub relationship. Drake controls every aspect of her life. This works for them, it's what they both wanted and needed. So no judgement there.

I like to see a hero mess up and have to grovel for forgiveness. I love the emotion that typically comes from that situation. But holy hell...Drake screws up in monumental ways! A lot! He is cruel when he feels betrayed and he unleashes so much anger, it's a little disconcerting. And yet, Evangeline comes back each and every time. It gets old. 

I was relieved when she finally grew a spine and left him. She was devastated and broken, but she did it. I was still rooting for these two, I wanted them together, but I knew that Drake had some serious begging to do. And beg he does!

The sex scenes are HOT HOT HOT! Like most, Maya Banks books, I was breathless while reading the juicy stuff! These two are combustible...scorching!

I loved the supporting characters in this series, and I really hope Ms. Banks gives them each a book...but without the bloody cliffhangers. I went all "hulk smash mad" the first time. The dialogue was interesting and kept me wanting more. Maya never fails in delivering a story that can twist your emotions in so many directions. At times I hated both, Drake and Evangeline, yet I wanted to keep going. I wanted to go on this journey with them. That there is good storytelling folks! Whether you love the characters or certain situations, if you can't put it down...the author has done it right! 

I look forward to the next book in the series. I'm glad that Drake and Evangeline's story is wrapped up. I'm not sure my emotions could handle much more. In true Maya Banks style, I was laughing on one page, angry the next, loving the sexy times on another, and then having a good ugly cry! I was dragged through the mud with these two...and I would t have it any other way!

Grade: A (4 stars)