review || NEED ME

Need Me by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Hocus Pocus Publishing, Inc  (2/22/2015)

Series: Dark Obsession, book 3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: NetGalley

Purchase links || amazon | bn || goodreads

Rating: ★★★★★

Innocent…or guilty? 

The cops think that Julianna Smith is a murderer. No one will listen when Julianna claims she’s innocent, and as the suspicions mount against her, only Julianna knows the truth…a killer is hunting her. Somewhere in the darkness, a stalker is closing in and preparing to deliver a final justice that she can’t escape. 

He’s her only option. 

Devlin Shade isn’t a man who trusts easily, and when Julianna Smith walks into VJS Protection, he’s well aware of her reputation—the sexy blond could be a cold-blooded murderer. Only when he looks at her, cold is the last thing that Devlin feels. There’s an instant attraction between them—hot, fierce, primal. And he agrees to take her case. He’ll be her bodyguard. He’ll keep her safe from the enemy hunting her, and he’ll also find out the truth about the mysterious Julianna. If she is a killer, he’ll turn her over to the cops himself. 

She can’t let him get too close… 

Julianna knows that she is walking a dangerous line with Devlin. She never expected to want him so much, and as they grow closer, she realizes that he’s working to uncover her secrets. But the secrets that she carries are worth killing for…and she can’t let anyone discover the truth, not even Devlin. 

Killer or victim… 

Soon the thin line between right and wrong is blurred. For Devlin, the case becomes personal, and all that matters is Julianna—keeping her safe and stopping the stalker who is on her trail. As he slides deeper into Julianna’s dangerous world, Devlin’s own darkness rises up. He’s played the good guy for so long, but now his mask is falling away. He isn’t controlled, he isn’t safe, and when Julianna is threatened, he will cross any line to keep her safe. 

NEED ME. 

Some needs can push you to the edge of sanity…

{ review } .

When I read the first book of this series, WATCH ME, I loved it. I loved the idea of this series, and loved that Cynthia was pushing it out so quickly. When I went to leave my review in different places, I was a bit taken aback by the negative reviews. I got that it wasn't a typical Cynthia Eden book -- not like her usual romantic suspense novels, and obviously not like her paranormal, but I didn't quite get why people were hating on it.

So I went into book two, trying to be more critical.

I liked book one. I thought that they would be my favorite characters. I enjoyed book two. But in the end, with the glimpses of Julianna? I thought for sure I was going to dislike her story. I don't know why, exactly, but I was more reluctant to read NEED ME. I was ok pushing it off a bit because I wasn't invested in her nor Devlin.

Oh, color me wrong.

One chapter in, and I knew without a doubt, that these two would be my favorite.

Right from the get-go, we learn how strong a person Julianna is. She doesn't take shit... pardon the french. But seriously, she goes for what she wants, but she won't beg for it.

When she goes to Devlin/VJS for help, it's because she's certain someone is after her, too; not just in the framing her of killing her husband, but wanting to kill her too. However, all the evidence points to Julianna as being the murderer. Problem? She doesn't remember it.

Devlin is skeptical and isn't about to take on her case. As much as he loves Sophie for his friend, Sophie helps keep the bad guys out of jail, and if she's representing Julianna... well, it's just not good in his book.

After Julianna fails to get Devlin to take on her case, she leaves the office -- like I said, she won't beg. For whatever reason, Devlin ends up following her.

...and watches as her life is almost taken.

As with many abuse victims, Julianna has her secrets. Devlin has ways to uncover secrets, but he wants the answers from her. Again and again he tells her she needs to be honest with him if he's going to help her, and again and again, she keeps pieces to herself. Parts are due to the abuse victim mindset, but other parts are also her being a good friend and sister, and wanting to keep the dark away from those she loves.

When Julianna finally learns to trust Devlin, everything he feels for her comes in spades -- you see and hear the love he has for her, the pride he has for her when she stands up for herself... The man who didn't believe her, who wanted to despise her, wants to be the only person she ever turns to again.

"No more running from me in the middle of the night. If demons chase you, come to me."

She stared into his bright blue gaze, unable to look away.

"Come to me," he said again, "because I'll be there for you, I fucking swear it."

As with the other books in this series, the events and the romance happen in quick succession; however, in this particular part of the series, everything felt more real, more realistic, more believable... The feelings were up and down, hot and cold, but oh-so-believable.

And trust me? Julianna dislike-er over here? And I liked the story? It was written extremely well, and I'm kind of sad to see that this little trilogy is finished. However, the next trilogy that she introduces at the end of this book sounds good, too!