Fifty Shades as Told by Christian Trilogy: Grey, Darker, Freed Box Set

Like some others have said, you are either going to love it or hate it. And I loved it! And to think that I almost didn't give it a chance. When I had turned to the first page and saw that it was written in first person, I groaned and immediately closed the book, because I normally cannot get into novels written from this perspective, but then I thought, well, I paid almost $30 bucks for this set, so I'd better read it! After I got through the first chapter, I was hooked. If you only read the first book, you will think that this is just about BDSM, especially after reading through the "Contract", but if you were to read all three, you will see the big picture. This is basically a romantic story about Christian and Ana's journey, which of course, has its ups and downs, as well as surprising twists and turns that are tied to Christian's past. There was actually more to the story than I had expected, which was evident after getting to the end of the second book. Although the main focus was on Christian's character and his baggage, what they both shared were similar inadequacy issues. Christian does not think that he is worthy of being loved due to being abused as a child, while Ana constantly questions what Christian sees in her, as she does not believe that she is capable of holding the attention of such a gorgeous and successful man, especially when he has specific needs that she felt she could not fulfill. There is more romance and less of the BDSM in the second and third books, but always LOTS of sex. I did find myself skipping over some of the sex scenes, as it did get somewhat repetitive. This however, did not take away from the story. The complex characters of Christian and Ana were developed at the perfect pace, not too slowly or quickly, which made the story believable. Although the ending was a happy one, it was not the cheesy "Hollywood" kind. The only thing that really bothered me was the overuse of the word "murmur" in the first book. However, I found this word to be virtually absent in the second and third books, but possibly replaced by the word "whisper", which did not annoy me as much. There were two scenes that stuck out in my mind in this book. Without going into too much detail, the first one was the "Submissive Christian" scene when he thought Ana was going to leave him. I found myself just as shocked as Ana. Another significant scene for me was a pretty ironic one. The one and only time that Ana had used a safeword on Christian was when he was pleasuring her and then depriving her of an orgasm out of revenge, which caused her not physical pain, but emotional pain. I also enjoyed the email exchanges between Christian and Ana. They were amusing, witty, and sometimes romantic! I felt like this was when the characters' personalities really came out, which I fell in love with. I just wished I hadn't finished the books so quickly! I can't wait until the movie comes out!

If only there were real Christian Greys out there to satisfy us nonfiction women who are deserving of such lascivious love and affection! I enjoyed the sex parts as much as the next gal (C'mon, we all knew this was freaking erotica before picking up the book!), but the main reason I succumbed to the desire in the pages of this book was Christian. His baggage and Ana's awkwardness were primary to their story and I am a freaking sucker for hearts and flowers and dark desires. It would not surprise me at all if some of the women that deprecate this book in their reviews do so out of denial of their own suppressed, carnal concupiscence. In fact, it would make my eyes roll! In a still, relatively, conservative society there are those who abhor what they fear and refuse to relish in fantasy. Which, is what this entire trilogy is: fantasy! So, if you blatantly (or secretly) take pleasure in fantasy, read these books. They are interesting and well written for the average-slightly above average reader. I will openly admit that I did have to use the dictionary feature in the Kindle reader for some of the words, but, for me that is part of enjoying a book: taking more from it than what I had before. Books should help expand your imagination, attention and vocabulary at the very least! There are definitely parts of the book which I felt were repetitive, but, really I was too enthralled by the story to notice ... until I came across other reviewers' stinging recounts of how much they disliked this or that citing various reasons from technical things like repetition of situations, lack of variety, inconsistency of characterization, lack of realism and just plain criticism toward the books. Oh, my! (Biting my lower lip) Essentially, if you're an uptight control freak, you will relate to one character; on the converse, if you're a shrewd innocent who enjoys a little excitement you will definitely relate to another character. This book may help you discover hidden pining you never knew existed latent within you! If you are not interested in any way in erotica, this may not be the best place for you to start as there is a lot of sex. A lot. Of sex. Hot, vulgar, libidinous words for miles. So, if that makes you uncomfortable in a bad way, but you're still tingly for a little dirty reading, start with a Danielle Steel and work your way up from there, see if you really want to delve into erotica some more, maybe it's just not for you. But, if you're sated by lusty youth and a luscious storyline, jump right into the Red Room of Pain and kneel before E.L. James' intriguing characters and their torrid lovemaking in myriad situations, places and surfaces! I identify with the latter group. Voraciously. Thanks for reading my review, I hope it helps you decide on your O face or your Oh, My! face };-)

Fifty Shades is full of extraordinary characters. I enjoyed a lot the story of Anastasia and Christian. At 22 Anastasia is able to face a great challenge by going forward with her relation with Christian, she is very strong and so candide at some levels but that's what I love about her. Christian looks like THE guy you want to meet and never let go but going thru those 50 shades and his world you need more than just wanting. the author leads us in this other world of dominants and submissives with finess. I love it.thanks you for those lost moments in 50 shades

The book is so beautifully written that one can't stop reading. There's an urge to continue reading it. You fall in love with the characters. Only issue with the single trilogy book is that page numbers don't go further beyond page 515. The second part has an abrupt ending. Probably three pages are missing in the trilogy book.

Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of psychological abuse and the strength of the survivors.

will l don't know how to say it but l will try ... but still you may be confused i read both 50 shades of grey and cross fire ,because l heard they were similar to me l will choose 50 shades. because l fell in love with the characteristics of christian he is sooo sexy and romantic compare to gideon in my opinion how far the story goes.. 50 shades story is not that flawless and l feel book #3 is not necessary.. l felt the writer tried to make stuff (events) to make excitement in the story but it did not work in my opinion because its not flawless.. l felt the excitement should been christian.. book 1 or 2 ok make sense but 3 not at all on the other hand cross fire is very will written .the series and the way events happened are flawless and make sense but some time little bit boring just little it is not very big issue while it is the opposite in in 50 shades not.. also l hated the characteristics of eva in cross fire l feel she is very rude and makes me angry quickly and some time l dont want to open the book because l don't want to read what she is saying ;so l guess this is well writing book because l been angry in characteristics that does not exist in real life lol if the characteristics of eva was little bit different l may say cross fire is better than 50 shades or l guess not lol l still love christian the reason l will choose fifty shades than cross fire because( l love christian )and his steamy stuff and because l hate eva my fav book of them all (fifty shades darker).. l wanted to read more so much more lol

Veloce e libri ben fatti grazieeeeee! !! È un cofanetto stupendo e in lingua inglese come lo cercavo io!!!!! Ciao