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Rush (Breathless #1)

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 11,823 ratings · 1,326 reviews

Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking...

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he...more

Paperback, 396 pages

Published February 5th 2013 by Berkley (first published January 15th 2013)

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Apr 06, 2013 Georgia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Georgia by: Vika S - ♔ of GIF according to Sharon

Shelves: 2013, filthy-rich-hero, guilty-pleasures

3 Stars

I like sexy books. Y'all know that.
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It is also well known, that I enjoy reading about damaged, hot, arrogant, alpha males.

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But, huge BUT.... I like some plot too! Some real angst, feelings, connection, character development and in this case...
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Cabe is in love with his best friend and partner's younger sister, Mia for years. He is older and he got burned by his crazy ex, so how he decides to approach the situation???
He breaks out a freaking contract!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Well, sure... That w...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: maya-banks, romantica-erotica, light-bdsm, explicit-content, exhausting-read, disliked-hero, angsty-emotional, great-ending, anti-hero, brooding-hero, cruel-hero, endearing-heroine, friends-to-lovers, frustrating-hero, girl-next-door, groveling-hero, too-much-sex, tortured-hero, very-angsty, very-steamy, 3-star

3 1/2 stars

I struggled with portions of this book and had a very difficult time with the hero, Gabe, and his jerky and selfish behavior. I can honestly say, I don't think I've ever read a more jerky and selfish hero. There was nothing sexy or appealing about him or his behavior! That said, I ended up enjoying this story more than I thought I would. It's Maya Banks after all!

Note: I know some may compare this book to Fifty Shades, but this story is NOT a Fifty Shade's "knock off" in any way shap...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Shawna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: maya-banks, contemporary-romance, erotic-romance-erotica-romantica, hero-daddy-warbucks-wealthy, hero-entrepreneur-mogul-tycoon, series-breathless, offlimits-bf-likekidsister-jailbait, rt-book-reviews-4-stars, backdoor-action-lovin-playin, bdsm-kink, bdsm-lets-play-master-and-servant, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, hero-brooding, dirty-talk-turns-me-on, sizable-packages, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, 2013-reads, 3-to-4-stars, all-work-no-play-on-the-job-romance, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, bdsm-lite-mild, friends-to-lovers, hero-alpha, hero-asshat-award-hall-of-shame, hero-expert-skilled-voracious-lover, hero-good-groveling-eating-crow, hero-pissed-me-off-and-turned-me-on, hero-sharp-dressed-man, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, hero-uber-alpha-domineering, hero-walking-hardon, hh-divorcee, hh-love-commitment-marriage-phobic, hh-sweet-nice-paired-vs-gruff-cynic, i-read-kindle, kindle, smut-fix-smuttastic-fun, steam-5-scorching-x, steam-some-like-it-hard-rough-dirty, why-do-good-girls-like-bad-boys, yowza-hotness, loved-you-from-afar-or-for-years, may-december-romance, older-guy-younger-gal

3 ½ stars – Contemporary/Erotic/BDSM Romance

Thoughts After Reading:

This was a decent erotic romance, but I didn’t really connect with the characters. Their “relationship” felt a bit trite, dull, and emotionless, and I actually got bored with the sex scenes. The angst and drama seemed needless and calculated, although it resulted in some good groveling by the hero. I love Maya Banks, but this didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Hopefully Jace’s and Ash’s books will be better.

Thoughts Before...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Vikki ~where did my *squee* go ~ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: alpha-hero, bdsm, erotica, much-younger-h, possessive-hero, super-rich-hero, hawt

I was a little nervous about this one. The last couple of the “dominating billionaire” books I’ve read have been so so for me, and Maya Banks can be a hit or miss author for me. I’m so glad I took the chance.
I really really enjoyed this one.

Gabe

photo c72d3b33644dceb271613c7c1561169f_zps98544a18.jpg

Mia

photo 6f5bda998b4f847e2e05d16072da07b1_zpsfc342be8.jpg

I loved the set up (I am a sucker for the “in love with my brother’s best friend” thing)

Gabe was definitely your quintessential alpha male. Add to that a past which has left him with no ability to trust in a relationship, and an obsession with h...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Auntee rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of the author; fans of erotic romance

Shelves: erotic-romance, maya_banks, part-of-a-series, 2013_reads, made_me_cry

I think I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would...and I actually cried at the end. Don't know why I ended up with tears...Ms. Banks must be doing something right for me to get so emotionally involved!

This is the first book in a new trilogy (Breathless) for Maya Banks. The trilogy is about three rich, powerful best friends, all in their late thirties (Gabe, Jace, and Ash). Rush is Gabe Hamilton's story. Gabe is a wealthy real estate mogul/hotelier; a partner in HCM Global Resorts and H...more

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Mar 24, 2013 BamaGal marked it as maybe · review of another edition

I think I'm going to pass. I've enjoyed many of Banks ER stories; but I've also read a couple of that are high on the 'ick' factor and with asshole male leads...maybe the next one...

I really wish Banks had gone ahead with her planned series about Kane and his guys, and not dumped those plans to jump on the FSoG trilogy bandwagon.

Love her KGI series, though!

_____________________

Dec. 16 -
Disappointing. I had really hoped this would be the long-awaited series about Kane and his guys. Wonder what h...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Sanaa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: part-series-but-can-be-standalone, series

4.5 Sizzling Stars!! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and this series is off to a banging start ;) Call me cliché, but I am a sucker for billionaire guys falling for a much younger girl...when it's done right of course. And this book delivers. I don't think this book deserves the low stars some others have given this. When I saw so many high and low reviews, I had to judge for myself. Sure the book has some slow, drawn-out moments, especially when it comes to the sexual escapades, but overall, it...more

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Feb 18, 2013 ~V~ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

**3 1/2 stars**

This first book in the Breathless series is centered around Gabe Hamilton and Mia Crestwell . Gabe is a hotel mogul..he, along with Mia's big brother, Jace and their other best friend, Ash, build and run hotels in the US and overseas. When Mia was a teenager, her's and Jace's parents died in an accident, so Jace stepped up to the plate and raised Mia. His two best friends, whom he met in college, have always been there for the both of them but apparently Gabe has always had a secr...more
**3 1/2 stars**

This first book in the Breathless series is centered around Gabe Hamilton and Mia Crestwell . Gabe is a hotel mogul..he, along with Mia's big brother, Jace and their other best friend, Ash, build and run hotels in the US and overseas. When Mia was a teenager, her's and Jace's parents died in an accident, so Jace stepped up to the plate and raised Mia. His two best friends, whom he met in college, have always been there for the both of them but apparently Gabe has always had a secret fascination with Mia but has never acted on his feelings because of the huge age difference (14 yrs). Mia has also secretly had a crush on Gabe but kept her feelings to herself because she always felt he was out of her league.

Mia shows up at a hotel opening one night and Gabe immediately spots her, she is now 24yrs old and Gabe is 38 and he's finally decided to act on his feelings toward her. He has been burned by women in the past though so he wants Mia but on his terms...what ensues is a very intense sexual relationship between the two and it's all done in secret so that Jace and Ash don't find out! Can you say...disaster waiting to happen!?

This was not my first experience with Maya Banks...I've read two series by her...her KGI series and her McCabe highlander trilogy and i've loved them both, so when i heard about this new series that she'd written and read the synopsis i was really excited! Unfortunately this one was just alright for me. The premise sounds really intriguing but the first 3/4 of the book is pretty much Gabe and Mia having lots and lots of sex! There was no build up or sexual tension at all...it was basically him demanding certain sexual acts and her conceding... every.single.time! She never once argued or rebuked a single thing...she just complied like a good little girl. It kind of made for boring page after page of sex scenes....and I LIKE SEX IN MY BOOKS! Yes, some were smokin' but too much of anything is never a good thing! ;)

There simply was no real story or drama or angsty anything to speak of and though HOT, Gabe was a cold and completely unemotional robot. It wasn't until the last 1/4 of the book that things actually got good, storyline wise, which is what i really enjoyed the most. Their relationship dynamic changed...it actually turned into something likeable, and drama, along with a little suspense, ensues..THAT is what i'd been waiting for throughout the entire book! It was a little bit of a bummer that it took so long to get there.

Even though this didn't end up being one of my favorite Maya Banks books, i liked it enough that i'll definitely be reading the other two books in this series.

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Feb 06, 2013 Steffi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: need-to-review, erotic-romance, anti-hero, bad-boy-hero, bdsm-bondage, kinky, steamy, sweet

Original review: www.sweptawaybyromance.blogspot.com

Maya Banks’ newest foray into erotic-romance may seem like another addition to a theme that has been discussed to excess in the erotica world. I urge you not to put Rush in a category before actually reading the book, you will miss out! If you enjoy a good mix of romance, sensuality and sex with fantastic secondary characters and a sweet happy ending, give Rush a try.

“Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the countr

...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Bookie | The BookChick rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: almost-a-dnf, cr, bdsm-elements, wanted-to-like-it, erotic-or-erotic-romance, redeemed-by-the-ending, 2-star-read

My Rating: ❤❤

ACCEPTABLE: The characteristics of a 2 star story include: a passable story but there was some element(s) that kept it from being a good story; and, it won’t make it to my 'read again' pile. I would not easily recommend it to a friend but would not rule out the possibility.

Book Description:
Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy c...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Marina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: alpha-f-cking-males, contemporary-fiction, erotic-romance

HOLY.HOTNESS.BATMAN.

Gorgeous alpha businessman lusting after best friend's younger sister.

Explosive sexual relationship.

Fan-f*cking-tastic grovel to end all grovels.

GO READ IT.

like 12 likes · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Mandi Schreiner rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, erotic

Maya Banks has a new trilogy releasing following three billionaires who run swanky hotels. Although I’m a little tired of the billionaire hero, the blurbs intrigued me so I thought I’d give book one, Rush a try.

Let me say this – sometimes having an asshole hero can be fun. Take Tack for example (Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley). He is initially rude to the heroine, arrogant, demanding in bed etc.. but she writes him in a way that his alpha behavior is coming from a good place. There is romance...more Maya Banks has a new trilogy releasing following three billionaires who run swanky hotels. Although I’m a little tired of the billionaire hero, the blurbs intrigued me so I thought I’d give book one, Rush a try.

Let me say this – sometimes having an asshole hero can be fun. Take Tack for example (Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley). He is initially rude to the heroine, arrogant, demanding in bed etc.. but she writes him in a way that his alpha behavior is coming from a good place. There is romance within all the assholeness. He was a sexy asshole. (and also no way as dominant as Gabe…)

Gabe from Rush is just a plain asshole. And before I go on let me make it clear I only read the first 50% of this book so you can argue that he may have changed his ways and redeemed himself. However, the way he acted the first 50% would take an amazing amount of redemption. Gabe has needs – he needs to be in control, he needs to dominate and he is extremely possessive. He has been lusting after his best friend’s sister, Mia for years and now that she is 24 (and he is 38 I think) he feels it’s time to make his move. Mia has been lusting after Gabe as well. There is mutual lusting. Mia is very spoiled and pampered and protected by her big brother so Mia fears telling him her true feelings for his best friend.

Because of Gabe’s intense needs when having sex, he got burned by a previous relationship, accusing him of abuse etc, so now before entering into any type of physical relationship, he makes the woman sign a contract. I roll my eyes at this, but the basis for it in Gabe’s case makes sense.

But here is where things go bad for me. Mia has a good education yet works in a bakery. Gabe thinks she is wasting her potential so he wants her to be his personal assistant. But the personal assistant position also means she would be having an exclusive sexual relationship with him. Just what every college graduate dreams of.

“The purpose of your working for me is so you’d be at my side at all times. And I’d have you when I want and how I want.”

Gabe and Mia start a physical relationship and it is just so cold. Gabe is such a jerk. Mia goes along with it all. There is no romance. There is nothing outside the bedroom. Gabe uses Mia hard and then has remorse after she leaves, just to do it again the next time. He is possessive and jealous not in a fun way. (And yes, there are some stalker, jealous heroes out there that work really well for me – hello Gideon Cross!)

He humiliates her and as the reader it made me feel bad. I don’t want to feel bad when I read. I want to experience situations that I may not like but dying to know how the hero/heroine will resolve the actions – but I don’t want to feel ill. Mia liked it (maybe?), but I didn’t.There is also a scene that I didn’t read but was told about in detail that really just makes me shake my head. No, no, no. I don’t care how much he asks to be forgiven or how well the author redeems him. No.

No interest in discovering how it all ends.

Rating: DNF/F

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Mar 24, 2013 P.A. Lupton rated it 1 of 5 stars

This book is a DNF for me. I only made it 25% into the story and hated every second of it. I don't like the characters at all, and so far haven't been able to identify a plot outside of sex. And don't even get me started on the fact that it's exactly like 50 Shades. He presents her with a contract? What I loved about 50 Shades is that Ana fought Christian at every turn and refused to give up her independence. Mia is just handing it to Gabe. And when Gabe says he's going to give the contract to h...more

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Apr 09, 2013 Allison (will never conquer her tbr list)) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, it's absolutely blowing my mind that I'm rating this book four full stars but I've got good reason....so here goes...

My casting-
Gabe-

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Mia-

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Literally, the first two thirds of this book, I hated the main character, Gabe. I typically find uber rich, controlling a$$hole-ish guys really hot and I gravitate towards that... But Gabe was straight up dickhead. Sorry, no better word for it. It blew my mind that this young, sweet girl found any redeeming qualities in him other than looks... A...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Michael Dunellen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: behind-the-chintz-curtain, lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-dommish, slavery-and-total-power-exchange

So what did Jane and I think of Rush? You can read what I think below but to get the full effect I really recommend going over to Behind the Chintz Curtain to find out. Be forewarned, though, that neither of us was totally enamored.

First off, let me say this. Maya Banks has been doing this for a while now. I don’t really think this is her version of Fifty Shades of Grey despite the fact that it did sort of feel that way. (Oh, and if you don’t want spoilers, don’t read this because this is a full...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Amy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: release-2-13

Originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-rush-b...

Best friends since college, Gabe, Jace and Ash are now billionaires and the founders of HCM Global Resorts and Hotels. Gabe Hamilton has been lusting after Jace’s baby sister, Mia Crestwell for years now. It’s been an obsession and preoccupation for him and now that she is twenty-four and all woman, he’s decided he will no longer fight it. With the fourteen year age difference between the two, he has never acted on his lust until now....more
Originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-rush-b...

Best friends since college, Gabe, Jace and Ash are now billionaires and the founders of HCM Global Resorts and Hotels. Gabe Hamilton has been lusting after Jace’s baby sister, Mia Crestwell for years now. It’s been an obsession and preoccupation for him and now that she is twenty-four and all woman, he’s decided he will no longer fight it. With the fourteen year age difference between the two, he has never acted on his lust until now. At age sixteen Mia had fantasies of Gabe and to this day his confidence and arrogance draws her to him like a moth to a flame. When Gabe sees Mia across the ballroom at the HCM grand opening, predator to prey, he decides it is time to make his move and take possession of the “forbidden fruit” known as Mia. Gabe sweeps Mia into a dance, then a devouring kiss, and finally demands that she meet with him in his office the following day. When Mia arrives to Gabe’s office, he quickly addresses the business at hand. Gabe proposes that Mia come to work for him at HCM as his personal assistant, but the position is only a mask. Gabe’s purpose of Mia’s non traditional working relationship is so she will be by his side at all times with the condition that he’d have her when and how he wants her; body and soul. Nothing but thorough, Gabe presents her with a contract that outlines everything he demands of their relationship. Ownership and possession, not emotion or intimacy with Gabe’s right to cancel at any time. The contract basically states that Mia will submit and cede all power to Gabe not only in the bedroom but in all aspects of their relationship. Mia knows that she is walking a fine line with not only her emotions but her heart. She agrees to sign the contract and so begins their journey of dysfunction.

“Hell, he’d all but mauled her. He’d raped her mouth, for God’s sake. He’d hurried her into his apartment, shoved her onto her knees and then forced himself down her throat. His self-loathing knew no bounds and yet he couldn’t regret it. Worse, he knew he’d do it again. And again.”

I went into Rush unaware that it would be Maya Bank’s knockoff of the well known Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and sadly it was a huge disappointment. (I should have read the EW Article that stated Berkley Books had acquired a “Fifty Shades-esque” trilogy by Ms. Banks) Gabe Hamilton might as well be a clone of Christian Grey only he doesn’t have issues with touching or fucking. In fact that is all Gabe wants with Mia; a contract to fuck with a bit of kink thrown in for good measure. He’s cold, selfish, emotionless, and wants nothing but to own Mia’s body until he is sated and ends the contractual agreement. His desire for her has loomed for years yet he has no feelings for Mia other than obsession and possession. From the moment he initiated the contract of their relationship, I saw nothing but a cold-hearted bastard. Gabe has loving parents, no troubled past or abuse; only a messy divorce with his first and only wife. Yet he is void of emotion, calculated in getting his way and screw the consequences to anyone else.

“Made love. He wanted to laugh. That was a much softer term for what he’d done. Maybe he thought it in an attempt to make himself feel better. He’d fucked her senseless. He’d danced a very thin line in brutalizing her, and yet for all the remorse he felt, he knew that next time wouldn’t be any different no matter his intentions. He could say one thing all he wanted, but he was a damn liar and he knew it.”

The flow of the story lacks luster because it’s a continuous cycle of Gabe initiating rough sex with Mia, treating her like a whore, feeling remorseful in the moment, then repeating the behavior again. There is no romance that builds between the two. Their chemistry is all physical and frankly its hollow and unsexy. Mia frustrated me throughout the book because she was hot and cold with her emotions. One moment she is standing up to Gabe and then she is like a limp dishrag once he put his hands on her. The only real connection they had was through sex. At about the 70% mark I was ready to DNF the book after Gabe allowed a major violation to occur towards Mia. As the reader, I wanted to gag. If there was any evidence that Gabe had developed feelings for Mia, it was destroyed during that incident. The only reason I continued to the end was to see if Ms. Banks could work magic and deliver a believable happy ending for this couple and I’m sorry to say it did not happen. The only enjoyable part of the book was Jace and Ash’s characters. They both were fun, flirty and showed real emotion even though their time on the page was limited. Neither Jace nor Ash exhibited the harsh, asshole qualities that Gabe possessed.

If you are a lover of Fifty Shades and want a more mature, contracted version of a heartless relationship, this is your book. If you are like me and are over the Fifty Shades recreations and want romance with originality, then I suggest you quickly pass this one by.

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Feb 11, 2013 Samantha rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways:

“Eyes.” he snapped. “On me, Mia. Always on me. You don’t come with your eyes closed. I want to see everything you have when I’m inside you. You don’t ever shut me out.” 21%

“Say my name, Mia. Who owns you? Who do you belong to?” 21%

She should have run, and run, and run, and when she thought she ran far enough, she should have run some more. I guess this was where I was supposed to swoon at all his “alphaness” and “dominance” and just be a puddle of lust?...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Petra Sýkorová rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica, romance

K téhle knize mě přivedla hlavně Axia, i když jsem ji už dříve tu a tam vídávala a říkala si, že bych séri i možná mohla pustit. Byla jsem přirozeně zvědavá, protože klasických erotických knih, či BDSM knih, zase tolik načteno nemám a už víte, že se málokdy nechávám uchlácholit všeobecným nadšením - musím se přesvědčit na vlastní kůži.

Gabe se na Miu začal dívat jinak, než jako na sestru svého kamaráda, ve chvíli, kdy dospěla a vyrostla do krásy. Ale ví, že pro něj představuje zakázané ovoce, kte...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Haya ∞Δnother book Junkie∞ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Haya ∞Δnother book Junkie∞ by: Hannah

Shelves: read-in-2013, favorites, erotica, blew-my-mind, best-heroines, bad-boy, alpha-male-alert, abuse

4 STARS ****

Rush by Maya Banks .

The series :Breathless has Three books in it.
Rush ,Fever, and Burn .

Gabe Hamilton, Jace Crestwell and Ash McIntyre—who are best friends and business partners. The men dominate both in the boardroom and in the bedroom. Each novel in the trilogy will explore the relationship of one of the men as he discovers the woman he will love.

It all Started with a contract

Gabe Always had a certain taste when it comes to his private life. he didn't have a certain complex,...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Patricia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic, maya-banks, breathless-trilogy

The Breathless Trilogy tells us the story of three friends that bonded as teenagers and linked their lives for the future, today we find them well established in life, wealthy and sexually evolved into three dominant, alpha males.

In "Rush" we get the story of Gabe Hamilton and Mia Crestwell.

Mia Crestwell is Jace's younger sister and 14 years younger than Gabe. Her teenage fantasy used to be Gabe. Her grown woman fantasy is still Gabe and she wonders if she will ever get over this man.
But as fate...more The Breathless Trilogy tells us the story of three friends that bonded as teenagers and linked their lives for the future, today we find them well established in life, wealthy and sexually evolved into three dominant, alpha males.

In "Rush" we get the story of Gabe Hamilton and Mia Crestwell.

Mia Crestwell is Jace's younger sister and 14 years younger than Gabe. Her teenage fantasy used to be Gabe. Her grown woman fantasy is still Gabe and she wonders if she will ever get over this man.
But as fate helps and Gabe takes a step forward, Mia jumps at the opportunity of fulfilling her most forbidden fantasies with the one man that she never forgot.

Gabe Hamilton has had enough of relationships and after his divorce nothing like a contract to lay things clean with no entanglements. But when he sees Mia he knows his in trouble and even if he can't afford all the trouble that can appear, he can't turn away from the one woman that drives him out of his mind.

So, my heart is divided in two because this book is really my thing but the new perspective that this relationship's take in the story's are really strong and heavy, I get breathless, literally, my feelings get conflicted.

Mia was so sweet, a good sister, a good friend, and a good woman where Gabe is concerned. She jumped into the black void, turning her most wanted wish into reality, to me that was a huge demonstration of strength and courage. I don't know if I would jump at it, not on this conditions involving the contract.
She is the kind of character that I love, heart warming and having a lot of love to give, to her family and to her lover, also to all of those who surround her.

Gabe is a another story ...
Being ruled by his sexual drive and by his bitterness on love, he is a man that money made him have all that he wants, bought or not, power made him cold and detached from almost everybody but his close friends and his parents.
Even though he still has it in him to love, especially concerning Mia, he really fights it all the way through. What a complicated man, sometimes lovable and sometimes such an ass!
I'm glad that the walls come tumbling down and in the end he becomes a prince charming and getting his act together, otherwise I could beat him away and give him a piece of my mind.

Now, M. Banks gives us fans and first time readers, a story that can break our hearts, warm our nights, and keeps us on our toes all the way to the end.
I so loved this book and looking forward to reading "Fever", not expecting the same line of story, but certain that a whole new set of concepts will flow through my fiction mind and turn into something to think about.
She is a perfect character builder, turning fictional characters into temporary "real" people.

I have to tell you that I really didn't know what I was getting into when I started this book but I'm glad I read it and really glad that it was a great book to have by when I get a Gabe hangover ...(less)

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Feb 06, 2013 Barbara ~*Lindt Ninja*~ rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: blue-covers, contemporary, series, sexy-stuff, when-great-authors-go-meh

This hurts. Seriously hurts. I own everything Banks has written with the exception of a couple of Highlander books and one or two of her Silhouettes. I love her writing, even when it's not so great, it's pretty good. I've gone through boxes and boxes of Kleenex reading her books.

This was just awful. I wish I could go back and wipe it from my brain or pretend some other author wrote it because now I'll be wary of buying Banks.

Gabe was the biggest asshole "hero" I can remember reading about lately...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Paula (Romantic Book Affairs Blogspot) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-release, erotica, contemporary-romance, arc-author

Mia Crestwell's life changes dramatically when she runs into her brother's best friend, Gabe Hamilton, at his hotel's grand opening. Even though Gabe is fourteen years older than her, she has been lusting after him for a very long time. However, Mia is not the only one who has been fantasizing about a forbidden romance. Gabe has waited a long time to act upon his secret desire to be with Mia. And, now that she is a woman, the time has come for Gabe to make his proposition to have Mia. Not just h...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Megan S rated it 3 of 5 stars

Picked it up and didn't put it down today! Ended up enjoying it more than I thought and liked the development of the characters. Jace and Ash stole my heart a little, I can't lie...!!!! Definitely was blushing throughout the book though.. yikes!

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Mar 03, 2013 Ashley rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: culture-united-states, fiction-drama, series-left-off

This book sounded like it was going to be an awesome read! A man falling in love with his best friend's little sister. Not only is this guy his best friend but his partner in a million dollar company and a "little" protective of his little sister is an understatement!

I like this kind of love story, all my years of Jr. High and High School I had a HUGE crush on my best friend's older brother, and I think that that is a common thing. So, heck this should be good, how it effects the friendship lev...more This book sounded like it was going to be an awesome read! A man falling in love with his best friend's little sister. Not only is this guy his best friend but his partner in a million dollar company and a "little" protective of his little sister is an understatement!

I like this kind of love story, all my years of Jr. High and High School I had a HUGE crush on my best friend's older brother, and I think that that is a common thing. So, heck this should be good, how it effects the friendship levels, how to balance friend and lover so life does not become awkward in any way! I may have looked into it more then it needed...

But sadly it didn't hold up to my ideas on what makes a good book! I didn't care for the book started out, prologue - now, Chapter 1 - 4 days earlier. This however does not make or brake a book. (I don't care for when movies do that either but I live with it.) What did was the whole, "Relationship Contract." Really?! I have not read 50 shades yet and have been debating it from what everyone keeps telling me about it, but now I feel like I have! I feel like this book is such a ripoff of that that I was wondering way I was reading this book over that one!

I have found that I fully HATE "Relationship Contract." for the whole book I keep wanting to throw it into the fire for her stupidity, for his controlling ways and MANY other things! I yelled so many times at this people, that I lost count.

It would of gotten only 1 star if it wasn't for the last 20% of the book and through out the book the main girl KNEW this was nuts. If she didn't see herself as for what she really was, I think this book would of been a whole lot worse! But when it was finally drawing to a close (view spoiler) and she spent many days being with out him, those emotions is what I was looking for in this book! I loved the what she longed for him and she kept telling herself she DESERVES better! I may not of had that kind of relationship with my BF's brother but I have felt that way towards another. And from her hitting that spot I gave this book another star, making it 2.

I feel like this level of emotion could of been reached without that stupid paper and having that be a part of there life and why she never thinks nothing can come of this relationship. Also, I have come to see that I HATE when men boss women around like they are nothing to them but a toy and I REALLY hate when those women LET THEM! If they like that sort of thing, then what ever. It just makes my blood boil!

Will I read the next one? Will the next one be more of what I wanted in this one? We. Shall. See.(less)

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Mar 27, 2013 Sónia Costa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-books

I spent the last few hours dwelling on how to rate this book...
Honestly I never read anything from this author so I didn´t know what to expect.
Well as a reader I can honestly say that the author´s writing is pretty good, she as creativity and knows exactly out to play her characters, their surroundings, the importance of details. But let me just say this:
Never, EVER was I embarrassed or felt disgusted by the male characters of any books I read.
I´ve read tons of romances in my life, even not usi...more I spent the last few hours dwelling on how to rate this book...
Honestly I never read anything from this author so I didn´t know what to expect.
Well as a reader I can honestly say that the author´s writing is pretty good, she as creativity and knows exactly out to play her characters, their surroundings, the importance of details. But let me just say this:
Never, EVER was I embarrassed or felt disgusted by the male characters of any books I read.
I´ve read tons of romances in my life, even not using Goodreads for that long or reviewing books, I ´ve read a lot of romances, and I don’t believe I ever hated a guy so much.
Starting you get the insight on him, powerful, impulsive, possessive, cold, dominant and with a clear pull for kinky stuff. Believe me nothing wrong with that. When I read a book I want the drama, the kinkiness, the dominance, the possessiveness, that´s what makes a love story fun and appealing, what pulls you to the alpha males and leaves us with that wanting desire in the end of the book to find a guy like that.
And the female character is expected to be fooled, because she has, with all his flaws the perfect guy standing by her side, showing her absolute love despite of the craziness involved.
But this :O just disgusting.
Ok you´re scared of your feelings, you don’t know what to do about them, or even our afraid the girl says no or pushes you away, FINE. Understandable
But having those feelings and exposing your love ( so you say ), to 3 fucking guys to see naked and touch?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!? NNOO Not acceptable by anyone’s standards
And getting to the point of the asshole beating her? Oh hell NO.
And her? Oh my god, he may love you girl, but forgiven that? Just STUPID
That made me even madder.
And to end this, the guy seeks to the lowest of lows, when he completely dismisses her by being a fucking coward (alpha males aren’t supposed to be cowards) and not telling her he loves her (if that´s even true).
Ok the guy crawled at the end of the book, but in my opinion after all that he´s done trough out the book, not all the crawling in the world would be enough.
The guy was a complete and utterly ASSHOLE. The alpha is supposed to be dominant, possessive, jealous, crazy and extremely demanding but at the same time romantic, thoughtful, care about the girl and do everything for her even if that means being crazy and messed up, not a complete ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(less)

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Mar 09, 2013 Juanitah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well, well... what can I say about "Rush"?

When I first read the plot I felt complied to read the book, it became a matter of needing, I needed to get to know this couple, Mia and Gabe, and their story.
Mia and Gabe have known each other for years. Along with Ash, Gabe runs a business with Jace, Mia's older brother.
Besides the age difference, Mia and Gabe were always attracted to each other, but the successful business man retracted his cravings for Mia, waiting for her to be old enough for what h...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Just finished this and I'm still a bit undecided...? I don't know but there's soo many stories about dominant wealthy billionaire playboys out there that I just don't know if this one stands out as much? After a while it just gets a bit too predictable and boring???

So back to the book...we have three best friends who are super successful in the business world and have been together since college. Ash, Gave and Jace. They are extremely loyal and have been there for each other no matter what, thr...more Just finished this and I'm still a bit undecided...? I don't know but there's soo many stories about dominant wealthy billionaire playboys out there that I just don't know if this one stands out as much? After a while it just gets a bit too predictable and boring???

So back to the book...we have three best friends who are super successful in the business world and have been together since college. Ash, Gave and Jace. They are extremely loyal and have been there for each other no matter what, through thick and thin and through the goods times and the bad.

Jace has raised his younger sister on his own following the death of their parents and is immensely overprotective of his sister Mia.
Mia has been infatuated with her brothers best friend Gabe for as long as she can remember. He oozes sex, success, dominance and strength. He has his demons and reservations that keep him closed off to the outside world, especially after a failed marriage that ruined not only his reputation but screwed with his head as well. Enter Mia, she is forbidden fruit, purity and someone that Gabe has had his eye on for years. Watching her grow from an awkward teenager to a beautiful young woman has not gone unnoticed by Gabe, but the problem is...she's Jace's baby sister and is fourteen years younger than him. After a fateful run in at a cocktail ball for the opening of their hotel, Gabe and Mia share a moment with each other where sparks fly and the undeniable sexual tension between them blossoms into more than just infatuation...and that's when the story starts to get interesting.

Sooo...I found this book ok? I mean it has it's quirks and it's own story but it just seems a bit overdone if you ask me? I mean it was beautifully written and the character development was well done so you weren't confused or left asking unanswered questions, and there was an actual storyline where it didn't just rely on hot hook-ups and sex but..I don't know I just found myself getting a bit bored...? Oh I don't know? Might just be an off day for me but I just didn't enjoy it as much I thought I would.

Don't take my word for it, see for yourself and make up your own decisions...? I'm still tryna figure out where I stand so for right now I'll just go with 3.5 stars.(less)

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Feb 06, 2013 Prachi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I do like a possessive hero, I am constantly looking for recommendations for the same. And friends to lovers, lusting since eternity, best friend's sister - these are all tropes which normally have me hooked. But this just didn't work for me. The fact I even finished it is a huge applause to Ms. Banks writing skills. I didn't want to, I just wanted to put down the damn book and cry for all the damage 50 shades and it's legacy is doing to feminism. But I did finish it nonetheless, and yes I still...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Meli Kyle *Ty and Zane's Creeper* rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm

3-4 Stars

First off, if you loved the 'Bared To You' and '50 Shades Of Grey' series, then you will most likely enjoy this one too because they are very similar. If not, you should pass this. My rating is from three to four because some parts felt three stars while others felt four.

This is a book where I didn't entirely love the male protagonist. Gabe Hamilton is a thirty eight year old dominant business man, who is business partners with Mia Crestwell's brother (Jace Crestwell) and best friend (A...more

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Feb 20, 2013 edzkie♥§*.*§♥ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: steamy-books, books-i-liked, books-series

She was an obsession, and it made him uncomfortable to admit, but she was a drug in his veins he had no desire to cure himself of.

photo tumblr_mi46z41rMj1rbcuo5o2_250_zps00d7e48f.gif

Her emotions were a mixture of holy fuck and oh my God.

▬Same same with how I feel after reading the book.There are some similarities with FSoG but this is different. It has its own level of "fuck up-ness". tsk!tsk!tsk!

photo tumblr_mie4zhJtzD1r7ksqyo1_500_zps3b25ae79.gif

The blurb says Gabe have this obssession with his bestfriend sister, Mia. He propose an agreement to her. To own her. Mia with her huge attraction...more

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About Maya Banks

Maya Banks lives in Texas with her husband, three children and assortment of cats. When she's not writing, she can be found hunting, fishing or playing poker. A southern girl born and bred, Maya loves life below the Mason Dixon, and more importantly, loves bringing southern characters and settings to life in her stories.

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Quotes from Rush

“And maybe that’s was her biggest crime of all. Making him fall in love with her.” — 11 people liked it

“Tell me what you need."
"You," she said simply, that one word tearing to the very heart of him. "Just you.” — 10 people liked it

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Rush (Breathless #1)

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