Title: Eyes Wide Open
Author:  Raine Miller
Publisher/Year:  Atria Books 8/20/13
Length:   352 Pages
Series:  The Blackstone Affair #3

Overview

Big surprises are on the horizon for Ethan and Brynne as they struggle to adjust to what life has thrown at them.

Demons from the past are threatening to destroy the passionate bond they’ve forged despite their vow that nothing will ever keep them apart. A truly devastating loss coupled with the promise of a new hope opens their eyes to what is most important, but is it possible for the lovers to move on from the painful histories that continue to haunt them? Still lurking in the shadows is a stalker, plotting evil amidst the distraction of the London Olympic Games. Brynne and Ethan are on the cusp of losing everything as the stakes rise. Will they yield to circumstances beyond their control or will they give every ounce of fight they have left to save each other and win the ultimate prize of a life together?

Eyes Wide Open is a passion-wrought story that shows us what pure love can achieve when tested, and what the heart can accomplish, despite danger and adversity.

My Thoughts

We’ve spent quite a bit of time with these characters over the past two installments that it was about time to see how things would play out for them. We know that Ethan’s on edge even more in this third book because it seems like the person who he’s trying to protect Brynne from is getting closer, and he doesn’t know how that’s even possible. How can you protect the woman you love when you don’t know exactly what you’re protecting them from?

This is a deeper installment than the others i think. Our mains are faced with unexpected challenges that truly test their love for one another. We saw Brynne’s secrets revealed and we know what haunts her and what brought her to London, therefore prompting the need for Ethan to protect her. We knew that Ethan was tormented by something from his time in the military but it takes much of this third book to find out exactly what. He’s not overly excited to share that part of his life with Brynne or anyone but he finds that he has no choice.

Add to that some relationship changing moments that come along and you can imagine that if we had a roller coaster before, we would have an inverted free falling coaster now. There are deaths that are unexpected, deaths that we wished would happen, friendships and bonds strengthening and some interesting moments of chance that come up to keep us engaged.

True to form of what we’ve seen in the previous two books, the scenes between Ethan and Brynne are constantly intense. If they aren’t pushing each other physically and emotionally at all times, they are also pushing each other mentally and that’s something that they both need. The romance and passion that comes from that as well takes us to another higher level and it’s hot and flaming throughout the story. They use each other as a means to escape how they feel inside and they use each other because of the connection that they share.

Some of the supporting characters take on important roles here, Jonathan, Ethan’s father surprisingly comes to save the day at one point. Brynne’s Aunt Marie surprises us in another way. Gaby and Ethan’s cousin Ivan are another duo that have a nice bit to add to the story as are Hannah and Freddy (Ethan’s sister and brother in law). So all in all, much to be read here in this third story and so much brings us a conclusion that we want and at one point truly expect. I hope you guys enjoy this one and pick it up!