Thursday, February 5, 2015

Review + Giveaway: In His Keeping

IN HIS KEEPING
Slow Burn #2
Maya Banks
Contemporary Romance/Suspense
432 pages
HarperCollins
Available Now
Source: Finished copy for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Abandoned as a baby to a young wealthy couple and raised in a world of privilege, Arial has no hint of her past or who she belonged to. Her only link lies in the one thing that sets her apart from everyone else—telekinetic powers. Protected by her adoptive parents and hidden from the public to keep her gift secret, Ari is raised in the lap of luxury, and isolation. That is, until someone begins threatening her life.

Beau Devereaux is no stranger to the strange. As the head of Deveraux Security, he’s more than familiar with the realities of physic powers. So when a family friend approaches him about protecting his daughter, he’s more than ready to jump on board. What Beau isn’t prepared for is the extent of his attraction to his beautiful and powerful client. What began as a simple assignment, just another job, quickly turns personal as Beau discovers he’ll do anything at all to protect Ari. Even if it costs him his life.


MY THOUGHTS
In His Keeping is the type of romance where we have to check our inner critic at the door and prepare to accept the over the top nature of the hero and heroine's love, but even then the grandiose declarations of how they feel about one another (both via internal monologue as well as out loud) are likely to elicit an eye roll or two. The prose shifts toward purple more often than not, a heavy use of italics repeatedly emphasizing the seriousness of Beau and Ari's feelings despite the speed at which their romance develops, while long descriptive passages hammer home just how powerfully these two are capable of loving. Theirs is the soul-merging, I-will-literally-die-without-you type of love, and while a certain level of that is to be expected and desired in a romance novel, In His Keeping takes us well outside the realm of believability.

Despite the above issues, the romance between Ari and Beau is not without its highlights, sucking us in once we suspend disbelief and allow their fiercely dramatic interactions to simply bring a smile to our faces rather than push us over the edge into frustration. Ari is a damsel in distress in every sense of the word in the beginning, sheltered and coddled in order to keep her telekinesis under wraps, but she's fully aware of her lack of life experience and it's something she wants desperately to change once her greatest fear becomes a reality. She shows a great deal of growth from beginning to end, fully embracing her power and proving herself to be more asset than hindrance by the time we close the back cover.

Beau, for his part, is growly and protective in a way that only fiction can make attractive, deciding quickly that Ari is his and never once second guessing that decision. He doesn't undergo the same personal growth that Ari does, but he's still enjoyable in all his alpha-ness, and we're left with the happily ever after for the two of them that we fully expect (an of course hope for) going in. Overall, In His Keeping is pure escapism, perfect for those who love their romances on the melodramatic side, but it will likely frustrate those who are looking for intensity without the overly flowery heartfelt exchanges.

Rating: 3/5
 

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This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

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GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the generous team at HarperCollins and Sullivan and Partners, I have a copy of In His Keeping to give away to one lucky winner. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US/Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

18 comments:

  1. Great review Jenny! I am not sure if this would be the book for me or not but I do want to try this author at some point.

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  2. Even if some points bothered you, it seems like you had a good time in a whole. I keep hearing about this series and I wonder now if I should try. thanks for the review!

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  3. Eeeeeh, I'm afraid I will be skipping this one, since I'm not usually the biggest fan of romances, and this one sounds like one that would bother me for sure!

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  4. Hmm... I'm not sure this will be the book for me. The romance sounds a bit OTT and quite unhealthy at that. And a damsel in distress? Yikes! I don't think this would be the book for me. I'm happy you were able to like it overall though, Jenny.
    Lovely review as always! :)

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  5. I've read quite a few of Maya's series and I do have to say I preferred the Sweet Series, but judging from your review it will be pretty sappy :P Oh well, I love her writing style so might give this a try! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. But my inner critic is knocking! And they're darned persistent! This one is a maybe, I think...especially with that damsel in distress thing (I can handle a bit but my tolerance is low).

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  7. My favorite alpha hero would be Cade from Unbroken. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Hmmm I don't think this is for me, I can do without a big melodramatic romance. I appreciate your honest and candid review, Jenny.

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  9. I don't think this one is for me, Jenny, as I can handle over the top, suspend my inner critic, but I did a good reason to do so. This one would just drive me nuts.

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  10. I have to agree with most of the comments...probably not one for my TBR either!

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  11. I actually haven't heard of this series but I don't think it's my cup of tea. I'm glad you found aspects to like, though. Wonderful review, dear!

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  12. I am actually not sure whether this one is for me or not

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  13. I'm always looking for a purply, check any common sense at the door romance :) If I'm in the right mood, I can gloss right over what I would *not* stand for in real life. Ummm... the only "alpha" heroes I can think of are all supernatural/paranormal cuz that's primarily what I've been reading lately. I'd say Curran from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.

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  14. Jenny I love her HF, but really struggle with her contemporaries. Wonderful review with some great points.

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  15. I enjoyed parts of this story but I think Ms. Banks and I will be parting ways after this. The repetitive internal monologue was more than I could take. It's a prominent feature in her books and the writing style doesn't appeal to me. I actually thought Ari was pretty badass with her powers so I didnt understand how she felt so dependent on others when she was basically saving everyone's ass. I did like the romance inspire of the insta love. Wonderful review, Jenny. My thoughts echo yours. :)

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  16. Curran from the Kate Daniels series.

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  17. Actually I don't have one. It is usually the most recent one I've read. I guess I really get into the stories and change loyalties quickly.

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  18. Hmm I don't think my inner critic would stay quiet! I'm super critical of over the top love, especially when it comes to adults (I'm a bit more forgiving in YA). QUESTION. What does "The prose shifts toward purple more often than not" mean?

    I'm curious!

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