Read my review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews. (It is a little different than below.)
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4.5 stars
I loved it. It was a different experience than the first one; the pace is much slower, even though there are a lot of outside forces and complications when there weren't in the previous one. The chemistry is as sizzling as ever though (whew! *fan please!*), the romance is sweeter, and there is lovely humor. Biggest criticism: Ana got on my nerves as she did not in the previous book.

The romance. Yes, Fifty can actually be quite romantic, ladies! The relationship between Ana and Christian is as hot and sweet—actually, much sweeter—as ever. We get to see the soft, vulnerable, and romantic side of Christian, which I found absolutely lovely (shocker). The chemistry was very much still there though. *sizzle* There's one seen in the library on the billiard table ... need I say more? (Thanks for reminding me, Anna!) I would play pool with Fifty any day. Oh. My. Lord! *desperately fans self* I would also go with him to the following places ... hmm, let's see: elevator, catamaran, piano, another elevator, desk in the home office, shower, bathtub, apartment entryway, Red Room, family boathouse, childhood bedroom, regular bed (of course)—and would request a repeat of the first elevator, billiard table, piano, and childhood bedroom. *wink* *wink*

Christian Grey, a.k.a. Fifty Shades, a.k.a. One of the Best "Romance" Heroes Ever. We see much more of Christian's boyishness and sweet side that we started to see at the end of the last book. He also has this wonderfully adorable new "shy" smile that he starts to show more and more to Ana as he begins to believe in her love for him. We really start to see his needier side, as well as his utter self-abhorrence and profound (if ignored) desire for unconditional love. Never became unsexy though, which I feel like it could easily have become, so James pulled that off well.

I did start to question his beyond-anything desire for and dependence on Ana. That may have something to do with the fact that she was annoying me in the first half of the book of course (see below). His need, love, and—let's be honest—downright obsession with her is such that the reader has to love Ana as well in order to accept it as authentic.

We find out the Thing that he was convinced in part 1 would send her running and ... I don't know. Didn't find it as shocking as Ana did and as I think we were supposed to. We find out why he did what he did / does what he does / needs what he needs and how that has been changed by Ana. I'm not sure how people will feel about the change. Christian still has his rough side; he's still a dominant personality; he's still as controlling as unbelievably-ever.

Some criticisms. A lot of things that some of my GR friends had mentioned annoyed them in the first one and that I hadn't noticed or hadn't bothered me now did in this one. Not everything, but the inner goddess is one example.

The main one was Ana. I really loved Ana in Part 1 and I know some people didn't, but I did and I'm sticking to it. Here, I had problems with her in the first half or so. Her fan club continued to grow, which doesn't fit with the type of girl she's set up to be. More importantly, she was petulant and immature, in some ways just as mercurial and moody as Fifty, but while he's sexy and mysterious in his personality disorder, she was annoying. Ana shaped up in the second half, being much more consistent and mature, and by the end she was stepping up to the plate and back in my good graces.

Note on Fifty Shade series and book endings. No spoilers! These cannot and should not be read on their own. It's basically one long story broken up into three parts, so start with the first Fifty Shades book, Fifty Shades of Grey . For those who hated the "cliffhanger" ending of part 1, this is part 2, so again not everything is resolved, however we are not left with a cliffhanger regarding Ana and Christian's relationship, so I think most will find it completely acceptable (i.e. bearable).

The progression of their relationship and where we're going next. Part 1 was all about the newness of their connection. That part of the story has all of the excitement of a new crush: it's fun, dangerous, makes you giddy, and holy shit was the tension unbelievable! Here, Ana and Christian seemed to have found their stride and really started to work on their issues. At the beginning, it seemed a little too convenient for me and I wasn't sure I fully accepted what Christian was saying and offering. However it wasn't as much of a 180 as I thought it would be, so by the end I was completely convinced and found the change believable.

I predict that Part 3 will be more about the settling in of their relationship: the smaller details and the really getting comfortable with one another. I'm looking forward to reading it, because hey: how could I not want to read another book with Fifty Shades in it? There are going to be some evil doers who come back to add some excitement to the mix and I am interested in seeing how it all plays out ...

(More Fifty fandom.) ... But yeah, I'll mostly be back for Fifty.

Okay, fiiiiine. Truth: I'll solely be back for Fifty.

What a naughty, naughty boy he is. Ha! ;-) God, what woman could resist?! Honestly, for any romance reader out there who loves alpha heroes who are controlling, domineering, obsessive, possessive, intense, tortured, mysterious, sexy, mercurial with a surprising but oh-so-sigh-worthy funny, playful, ironic, generous, caring, romantic, and sweet side, then look no further (and to those romance readers: we are soooo twisted)! Fifty Shades is your man.

Except for he's not. Because he's mine.

If he were real. And yes, I know he's not.

... We could be mistaken though. Maybe James writes in one of those books where whatever you write comes true, and there actually is a Christian Grey walking around.

*stunned by the very idea*

Wow.

If there is, I call dibs!!!!

(*though also in full possession of my sanity and sadly aware it's impossible, don't worry*)

(Written September 15, 2011)
(Shortened September 16, 2011 because I took pity on everyone who reads this. And yes, the above is the shortened version—why does everyone wonder that?)


My review for Fifty Shades of Grey

Post Script on May 8, 2012
This series has exploded since I first read it and it seems to be one that is either loved or hated. I'm actually very thankful that I read it before any of my GR friends or anyone I knew, because I feel like if I read it now, after hearing all the hype, it would probably disappoint.

People have very strong reactions to Fifty Shades and just to put in my two cents: you read different books for different reasons. In my opinion!!! ...: Was this book a great piece of literature? No. Were these characters ones whom you could write grad school theses about? No. But you know what? I loved the romance, I loved the chemistry, and I enjoyed myself tremendously while reading it - it had me grinning ridiculously for hours. That's what I wanted from these books, and that's what I got, so for me, that was enough.