Captivated by You

Crossfire Series, Book 4

By: Sylvia Day

Narrated by: Jill Redfield, Jeremy York

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

Gideon calls me his angel, but he's the miracle in my life. My gorgeous, wounded warrior, so determined to slay my demons while refusing to face his own.

The vows we'd exchanged should have bound us tighter than blood and flesh. Instead they opened old wounds, exposed pain and insecurities, and lured bitter enemies out of the shadows. I felt him slipping from my grasp, my greatest fears becoming my reality, my love tested in ways I wasn't sure I was strong enough to bear.

At the brightest time in our lives, the darkness of his past encroached and threatened everything we'd worked so hard for. We faced a terrible choice: the familiar safety of the lives we'd had before each other or the fight for a future that suddenly seemed an impossible and hopeless dream...

©2014 Sylvia Day (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

A Conclusion Would have been good.

It was just more of the same thing and nothing new. I wanted to like it, and while I didn't hate it, I'm left feeling annoyed that there's going to be another one. Just starting to seem more and more like money making scheme to be stretching out the story that doesn't have enough to be a huge series book, thus sort of losing the ART of novel. That's my opinion, I'm sure it was a delight to others. I'm not sure if I'm interested enough to get the next one when it comes.

Happy about the addition of a male narrator

I've been procrastinating listening to this audiobook since November, but when Valentine's Day rolled around I decided that I was due for a guilty pleasure kind of title, and nothing fit the bill quite like Gideon & Ava Cross. I was also excited that this series FINALLY added a second narrator. As much as I've been enjoying Jill Redfield's performance, certain characters need that extra edge that only a male voice can bring, and I was hoping that Jeremy York would be up to the task. I wish that they'd read ALL of their respective personage's dialogues rather than just their specific chapters, but that's a common complaint of mine with dual readings. However, other than that, I had no issues with either of the narrators. My problems were with the lack of advancement on any front. Gideon & Ava are still struggling with the exact same obstacles only different versions of them, the story arc didn't really go anywhere, and the ending left me feeling like the next novel was going to be more of the same. CAPTIVATED BY YOU was like watching a dog try to catch its tail; painful and an exercise in futility.

didn't give any answers

Would you try another book from Sylvia Day and/or Jill Redfield and Jeremy York ?

Loved all the books but the last one .I waited along time to find out what was going to happen and it just didn't do it for me .having 2 different narrators didn't do it justice .If I would've known it was Going to be like that I wouldn't have spent the money so very disappointed

Would you ever listen to anything by Sylvia Day again?

Depends

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

None

Any additional comments?

Refund

Rollercoaster Ride

I am unsure on how to rate this book. I really liked the book but I am emotionally drained from listening to it. I was so invested in the characters and the story line and the hits kept on coming. I am trying to be objective considering the fact that it is the 4th in a 5 book series so I knew there would be no satisfaction at the end.
The books spans over a 3 week period in their relationship so it can't be resolved. If you understand the process of healing from sexual abuse you will get what she was getting at. She needed to develop that side of Gideon POV and that process is emotional and difficult to get through. Having said that, the Brett Kline thing was disappointing and I wish it would have been left out.
If you are invested in this series , you will enjoy this book but please be prepared for the roller coaster ride and understand that is purely character development and no significant advances in the storyline.
So in a direct appeal to Silvia Day. If you are at all reading your reviews. Thank you for showing the male perspective of a sexual abuse survivor and the consequences if you have not dealt with it. But please ........... for book # 5 let them both find their strength and claim their life. Finish their story line where it was worth for us to invest 3 years into this series. Skip the cookie cutter way out and span it over a few years not just weeks. If there ever was an extensive Happy Ending needed it would be in this series. Considering the time investment of the readers. I sincerely hope to see "One with you"published within a few months. Not years!!

The dual narration by Jill Redfield , Jeremy York was good. But Jill Redfield was so good with the delivery of the series I felt the added narrator was unnecessary.

A Delicious love story. Gideon and Ava forever❤️💗❤️

The ultimate hot obsessive-alpha billionaire... Gideon Cross! *sigh* if only we could ALL have a Gideon!
What I love about this series is that the female main character Ava, is not what so many other books make their female protagonists out to be. You know, the whining when her billionaire lover showers her with gifts, or preferring to wear her second hand cocktail dress from junior prom to the met gala, because ‘oh no’ she will NOT accept a gift from the billionaire... oh please. Ava does what any sane and thankful woman would do... she says thank you! She squeals ‘yay’ when he gives her a one of a kind watch out of thoughtfulness. It’s refreshing to have an Ava in this genre.
If you’ve listened to 50shades, I’ll say it one hundred times... this series is BETTER! Perhaps I’m biased as I became a crossfire fan before hearing of fifty. Ava is a MUCH more interesting main character with backbone, sass, healthy appetite for her man and the kind of personality makes you want to hang with her at happy hour! This series is hot, sexy; intriguing and full of erotic moments, troublesome ex’s, deep personal tragedy and demons. This is a “captivating” storyline that will have you rooting for Ava & Gideon!

FILLER....Only needed 2 pages..the rest all FILLER

Talk about needless useless details. The only parts of this story actually revelent could have only filed 2 pages Max. The rest of the book was absolute useless crap.

Way to go publishing company for taking a 3 book series and making the author stretch it to 5 books all for the sake of your greedy wallets. It absolutely shows!!! Lost yet another reader and your profits. I will not invest any more $ or time into this series.

Should have stuck to just Jill Redfield

What did you like best about Captivated by You? What did you like least?

Why in the world would they add this second narrator in the fourth book of the series. Jill Redfield did both characters best. I found the male narrator awful. Hope they do not screw up and do this for the fifth book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Glad there will be another book.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Hated male narrator. Should have stuck to just Jill Redfield! She was perfect doing Gideon and Eva.

Was Captivated by You worth the listening time?

Hated male narrator.

Another Great GidEva Story!

Would you consider the audio edition of Captivated by You to be better than the print version?

No, I enjoy them both. I love jumping between the audio and print versions.

What other book might you compare Captivated by You to and why?

The closest is the Breathless series by Maya Banks and of course Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James.

What about Jill Redfield and Jeremy York ’s performance did you like?

I love it when the separate genders are handled by the two separate narrators, it is more authentic and enjoyable. Especially for narrators who engage the listener in the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes there were several, and I will not go into great detail of them in order to avoid any spoiler alerts.

Any additional comments?

Well let me start off by saying I loved it. This was a long time wait and highly anticipated, and as is the norm I devoured it in one day. With that said.....


At first I was disappointed that there were still so many lingering issues with Eva, it was my understanding that the end of the series were going to concentrate on working through Gideon's issues. Though I am happy that the lingering issues was cleaned up nicely and quickly. Gideon's issues..... wow, there were so many but I must say the handling of Gid and his issues are progressing nicely and realistically.

And let me just say I am LOVING the new format of jumping between Eva and Gideon's POV, it is so refreshing to get the male's POV. And in such a way that the male does not come off too effeminate, which I have read more and more recently. It is very nice to get inside Gid's head.

Finally, when I finished my recent re-read of Bared, Reflected and Entwined I was officially joined in the "Cary is a douche" club, and sadly after this book I still am. Yeah he came off a little better, but no I am not feeling him and his narcissistic ways at all.

With all that said, this was WELL WORTH THE WAIT and I look forward to the conclusion of Eva and Gideon's story in One with You. Though I will not lie and say I really want it to end. Watching these two grow together has been a journey that I have loved.

What in the world

This was weird and nothing happened. I'm not sure what the point of the book was.

Waited so long for this?!?!

What did you like best about Captivated by You? What did you like least?

I most liked the dual narration of the fourth book. I thought it was great to have some insight into Gideon's character and putting an amazing voice to the sexy man I envisioned was perfect . What did I like least? The book had no purpose! It was nothing but sex and fillers. I love a good sex scene, but come on! The book was 90% porn and little story line to keep me interested. I'm getting tired of Ava's repeat comments such as "kick ass", "totally" and my all time teeth grinder "you make me so hot". Gideon's continuous use of "greedy little c**t" is a turn off. Ava's got to have some class being married to a billionaire right?!?! Let it show. They are both immature in my opinion which was fine at the beginning of their relationship, but hasn't changed after the fourth book and EVERYTHING ends in sex. I almost stopped listening after the scene when Gideon is upset Ava told his step dad about his abuse and holes up in his apartment till Ava comes to the rescue. He's furious and drunk...a great opening for some serious conversation, a brawl, or semi breakup, right? I'm instead lambasted with yet ANOTHER sex scene involving Gideon's gigantic beautiful c**k! Seriously!? Nobody does that!!! This series should have been wrapped up by now and I will not be on pins and needles for the next couple of years waiting on book 5. I love an erotic romance novel just like any girl, but this was trash.

What could Sylvia Day have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Don't insult my intelligence! Add some depth to the book. Give your readers something to look forward to...a mystery or surprise along the way. The book was boring and predictable to say the least.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Jill Redfield has done a good job with the narration. In the first book, it did take me a while to get used to her reading Gideon's parts and I have to admit, it wore on my nerves. She just sounds ridiculous trying to deepen her voice. I was hoping the dual narration would pick up earlier than book four, but alas, it was not to be. All in all though, I was happy with it. Adding Jeremy York to book four was a great decision.

Did Captivated by You inspire you to do anything?

No. I found myself fast forwarding through sex scenes (which all started to sound the same since they use the same lines every stinking time they hook up). I was just over it and wanted to get back to the story more.

A serious theme treated like trashy pulp ficton

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I have no idea, I'm sure it would be attractive to a numerous audience.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have shifted the stress on the characters' dynamics with the environment more than the interminably detailed an graphic descriptions of their copulating prowess. Has the author never heard of the fact that suggestion is more effective a technique for engaging the audience's imagination than spelling everything out in boring detail?
The other issue I have with this 4th volume of the series is its gratuitous length and the endless reiteration in the two narrators' voices of their feelings and perceptions of each other and the excessive number of lengthy graphic descriptions: it leads one to suspect that the author is withholding the final resolution of the plot and wants to delay it into a 5th or maybe a 6th volume.I have lost patience, like I usually do with artificially dragged out narratives.

What didn’t you like about Jill Redfield and Jeremy York ’s performance?

I rather liked the dark and husky and, to me, rather ironic tones of Jeremy York's voice, but I was rather put off by Jill Redfield's nasal and rather stridulous voice, though probably well suited to the character of the poor rich girl of the story.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Captivated by You?

At least half of the copulating scenes.

Any additional comments?

As I said, the story, and its development throughout the four volumes has merits, and to a certain extent so does the treatment of the character's development towards maturity. It could have been a great novel. Pity the author does not seem to know the meaning of subtlety and measure: Quantity is not sinonymous to quality; but then, This is probably true of most if not all pulp fiction and I am probably not the typical audience she meant to address.

Disappointing!

Although it was great to hear a male voice, within the story; it didn't do much to alter the atmosphere, which was full of vanity and self-importance.

Weird

This was a little disappointing. Giddeons part was great in the way you could see Ava from his point of view, but his actions didn't match with the way Ava described him throughout the last three books. He just didn't seem the same person. Not dark and dangerous but kind of weak and desperate. He seemed more like Ava but with a mans voice.
Nothing really happened in the book that springs to mind and I literally just finished it.
Guess the last one will be about the wedding and that'll be it. Can't say I'm on the edge of my seat.
Meh.

Lacked depth

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Because I love Eva and Gideon sooooo much I would and have recommended this book to my friends, if only to hear their opinions.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

it left me gagging for more in a disappointed kind of way.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Dont want to risk spoiling it for others.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes , how do I answer this without a spoiler? Let's just say I did shade a tear...

Any additional comments?

I felt after having waited for the book for such a long time it would have a lot of depth but was disappointed in that there was a lot of sex scenes when we could have moved on with the story. Don't misunderstand me I did enjoy the book but felt it centered a lot on their sex lives than on delivering the story. I loved the fact that we got to hear Gideon's PoV . Am still a big fan of Gideon and Eva and am hoping the last book will see them run off into the sunshine.

captivated by you

would defo recommend this book love all the book drfo worth a listen or read

Great story.

I’ve really enjoyed the developing story throughout the whole crossfire series, however, I am not a big fan of the additional narrator. I much prefer the books with just Jill Redfield

Captivated By You

This is a brilliant fourth book in the series and Eva and Gideon are starting to find some understanding with each other. Both of their past keeps interfering and trying to come between them. Read with great feeling by Jill Redfield and Jeremy York.

Narration had me cringing at points.

I found the narrators trying to do the voice of the opposite sex very cringe worthy. The narrators didn’t sound comfortable which makes the reader uncomfortable too. Didn’t make it unlistenable though and I loved the story, great even though it’s book no. 4 in the series but still a fantastic read and no less substance than the first 3 books. I look forward to hearing more from Sylvia Day out-with the Crossfire series.

Couldn't even finish it!

Very disappointing.. Shouldn't have changed the style, Gideon is nothing more than a robot now

Loved it again!

More please. Always dread the end. About to start the final book. Thank you so much for the escapism.