Victor (The Alpha Elite Series)

Though it kills me to write this, because I am a HUGE fan of this author, this book missed the mark for me. There was SO much dialogue. Just pages and pages of them talking on a plane and going back and forth detailing their jaded but thoroughly confusing pasts. I never really understood their reactions to each other. They would be SO angry and I would be totally lost about why they were even fighting. There was a lot of emotional personal reflection and I was STILL confused. Like, I thought we established Victor was head-over-heels for her and then a chapter later he was lamenting that he promised he’d keep his hands to himself. Huh?Maybe it’s just because I didn’t really like Victor. I love a complex, damaged/dark hero but Victor kept obsessing about how submissive Sabine was and how that doesn’t equate to weakness, but the poor girl desperately needed control of her life. He was such a jerk to her; he kept saying he wanted to “own” her. He kept repeating it over and over. Stuff like: “All in. I want to break you, Sabine.” It made me really dislike him. If a character is that dominant you have to balance it somehow. It was too much. He was just a straight up jerk. Then on top of that they didn’t have sex until like 94% (just saying).I miss this author’s old style of writing. (“Talon” is one of my favorite books and I think about it often, to this day.) Her old books had so much more action and less self reflection and lamenting of past wrong doings. These men feel like old friends, so I will probably continue to read every book, but it hasn’t been the same lately.

I really wanted to like this book. It starts out strong. Interesting premise, interesting characters. I liked Vance/Victor initially and I liked Sabine. Then about two-thirds through the book if flips. The ending is uneven and rushed, and things devolve into half-baked stereotypes.Pros:1) Interesting premise. A few plot holes, but nothing so jarring it completely throws you out of the story.2) The interaction between Vance and the rest of the team is interesting and unexpected. Tension, fighting, mutual respect, and teamwork. They call Vance out on his behavior. Well done in that it makes you want to learn more about the other characters in future stories and not just sappy ‘you are all my brothers’ boring.3) First 85% of the book – heavy dialogue between Sabine and Vance. At times confusing, but it does give insight into the characters and we learn more about what drives them layer-by-layer. Her trust in him builds and you see why. Last 15% of the book, still heavy dialogue but maddening. By the end I went from liking Sabine and Vance to wishing they would just shut-up.4) Fair amount of action and a plot that kept moving.Cons – mild spoilers1) The slow burn started off well, but needed way more burn and a lot less slow. I didn’t get a sense of attraction or longing. The slow burn lacked sizzle, and culminates (about 95% through the book) in this weird aborted attempt with zero build-up the entire book. The ‘intimate’ moments range from lackluster to downright bizarre.2) Towards the end, Vance’s character flips. He gets mad a Sabine because, in his opinion, while being held at gunpoint she reaches for the wrong person. Suddenly he’s telling her he recognizes her as a submissive and he’s dismissive and cruel. Total head slap moment. It comes out of nowhere and just seems absurd. Especially since he tells her things are her choice in one breath then says he wants to own her, wants to break her. She turns into a sniveling idiot and he turns into a controlling jerk. I guess this was the author’s attempt at trying to insert BDSM, which failed miserably and culminates in Vance telling Sabine to put her hands on the wall. That’s the big tell she’s submissive. (insert eye roll)3) Sabine stays with Joseph (her abuser) because she’s afraid and has no money, no education, no family, no freedom/choice. Granted the author makes a half-hearted attempt to give her a noble reason, but it falls flat and doesn't ring true. In the end, Sabine gets millions, which gives her independence. So, what does she do? Gives away all her designer clothes and then she gives every single penny to charity, including money she earned during her seven years working at the auction house, and then wails that she has no money and can’t support herself. But never fear. Vance has enough money for two lifetimes so they are all good. One of those absurd stereotypes. The female lead must dislike money and give it all away to charity, thereby making her stupid and dependent. The male lead is always rich and no one ever thinks he should give his money away.The devolution of these characters was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. They started out intriguing and strong and ended up unlikeable stereotypes.

Stunningly beautiful and devastatingly painful, Vance and Sabine are kindred spirits underneath it all. The depth of their pain makes it hard to fathom how they have carried it for so long. When we first met Vance, he comes across as devil may care, do as he wants without regard for anyone or anything. Now we get to scratch the surface and at what is staring back at us is anything but carefree. Sabine's situation reminds Vance of his past, the source of all his suffering and yet he doesn't hesitate to dive into the fray, for her. Sabine's life is one of extremes. Seemingly has it all, a successful husband, a good career, beautiful clothes and a penthouse apartment in Manhattan. But its just a shiny veneer that disguises the bruises, the abuse, the helplessness. She is stuck until Vance bursts into her life and turns it upside down. This is a slow burn for sure but the tension, the attraction between them is enough to spark a three alarm blaze. Magnificent storytelling and wonderful characters with flaws and scarred hearts that kept me up well past my bedtime. 6 tearful, heartbreaking stars for Sabine and Vance.

First book in this series was Alpha and it was a 5+ star read. Was so excited to see that all six books on this series is available for pre-order and yes, I have already ordered all six. But Victor was a disappointment after reading the first book. I've come to expect strong female leads, even if they do wind up needing some rescuing. They give as good as they get and then some. But Sabine was just weak and absurdly naive. Add that there was enough actual french speaking inserted into the book without translation footnotes that it made some of conversations hard to follow. And what was up the the obscure conversations between Victor and Sabine? He asks a questions, she half answers with something completely nonsensical. She is described in the book at unbreakable and graceful - weak and fragile is more like it. Sabine's relationship with her non-husband is never fully revealed in the book. You know he is abusive, but the impression given is that he has taken no interest in her in years aside from business, yet there is never that full disclosure that Victor gives her about his past. We get the full story of Victor, but never of Sabine. Disappointed about that. Will still read the rest because this book will at least get you invested in the other members of AES.

oh my freaking Victor.. and I mean that in the best possible way.Vance is not the typical hero with a past. He has layers upon layers that only his heroine has unraveled. I also adore how Sabine is the same way with him.Don't get me started on the team dynamics. I cannot freaking wait for the other men! They are as alpha but on different levels I can't explain. They are all the same but different.Sybil, you have been one of my favourite authors out there and you have exceeded my expectations since I have read Scandalous. And I have done rereads lots of times.I love you, Sybil. thank you for sharing this world to us your readers!

Don't cha just love alpha males! This book has more than one and is strong in story, pain , passion hate revenge hurt and I couldn't stop reading till it was finished. Now moving to the next one . Yay!

Another brilliant book in this fantastic series. Great characters and an exciting storyline. I really couldn't put this book down. I highly recommend it and cannot wait for tge next one in the series.

This is Vance’s story and he is certainly an Alpha 100%. I felt this was a bit slow to start and took me a while to get into it but I couldn’t put it down by the end.

Expect nothing less than 5* when you open a book by Sybil! And expect not to put it down until you're finished!Obsessed!