Bind Me

Loved it so much! Definitely gets 5 stars from me!

Yulia Tzakova is beautiful twenty-two year old Ukrainian spy. After supplying information which leads to the death of dozens of mercenary soldiers, she is captured by the enemy. Now she is being held by Lucas Kent, second-in-command to one of the world's most ruthless criminals. He will use sex, torture, guile, whatever it takes, to learn her secrets. How can she be falling for her captor?

Bind Me, Book 2 in the Capture Me series, continues literally were the first book leaves off. I love that about Anna's writing: rich and descriptive, yet direct and concise, without wasted words. She doesn't bore you with repetition, so there is consistent momentum propelling you forward.

The Capture Me series is written after the Twist Me (Julian and Nora) series and some events happen concurrently. Capture Me/Bind Me is brilliant in its own right, but I strongly recommend reading the Twist Me series first since the Capture Me series has spoilers for the preceding series. I think Bind Me is even better than Capture Me (Book 1) because whereas Yulia and Lucas' early relationship was driven by primal sexual attraction and revenge, Bind Me introduces more complexity, trust, compassion, companionship, even love. The character development makes this a much more satisfying read. Of course it doesn't hurt that the sex between Lucas and Yulia is smoking hot, uncompromising, and often.

Remember, Rosa? The infatuated estate maid? I wondered after book 1 whether her presence will help or hinder this compelling couple. Well I'm still not sure, but Rosa is definitely more than just a bystander. I get excited whenever she appears, unsure what she will do next. We still haven't seen her perspective. She's a wild card. What will Lucas do when he learns of her betrayal? Anna Zaires ends this with another delicious cliffhanger that leaves me highly anticipating her next installment.

I'm very excited about what comes next because we are finally going to witness new plot developments that continue where the Twist Me trilogy leaves off. Even though Julian and Nora are barely mentioned in this storyline, I am finding it to be a balm for my Julian/Nora withdrawal.

As much as I like Lucas, I love Julian and miss reading about him. Looking fwd to book 3.