Fifty Shades Freed

"When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian's singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.

Now, Ana and Christian have it all--love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian's opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.

Just when it seems their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana's deepest fears turn to reality."

*May Contain Spoilers*

E L James introduces the characters readers have come to love, in her third book in the Fifty Shades series, Fifty Shades Freed, as Mr. and Mrs. Grey. Throughout the previous two novels readers have formed a strong connection with Christian and Anastasia: a bond that will be challenged as the newlyweds struggle to find their "happily ever after." 

As readers delve into the pages of Fifty Shades Freed, they see more of what drives Christian and why he feels as if he must protect Ana from the world they live in. As plots to ruin the happiness of Mr. and Mrs. Grey are revealed, their relationship hangs in the balance. Readers have a chance to see Christian and Ana as a singular unit, creating a thicker bond from the separate connections readers have formed with both of them. 

The plot promises the ups and downs of marriage, even though for people like Mr. Grey and his family, they are much more extreme. While it seems someone is trying to sabotage the Grey family, Christian must learn to rely on Anastasia, as his wife. And as all readers know, that won't be an easy feat for Mr. Grey and, as expected, Anastasia will always take things into her own hands. 

Whereas the previous two novels were about the characters themselves, trying to love each other for who they are inside. This novel pairs them together, facing the cruelty that is the world around them. Their success depends on them depending on each other and fighting against that which threatens to tear them apart. 

Fifty Shades Freed is the story after the end, and readers will love what E L James has set Christian and Ana up against. Definitely a must read for all of the Fifty fans. 

Fifty Shades Freed 

on Amazon

rating: 5/5 cups

Fifty Shades Darker

"Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Ana cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Ana learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven, and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana must confront the anger and envy of the women who came her, and make the most important decision of her life."

* May Contain Spoilers *

In the first novel, Fifty Shades of Grey, by EL James, the reader came to know Anastasia. Much was revealed about her personality, goals, hopes, dreams, and fears. But in book two, Fifty Shades Darker, shifts the focus on to Christian and suddenly the reader is introduced to a shade of Mr. Grey no one knew existed. 

Fifty Shades of Grey introduced Christian as a f*ed-up-control-freak-sexual-slave-master. While, on the other hand, Fifty Shades Darker introduces a whole new proposition, no contracts involved...well maybe one, towards the end.

Christian promises Anastasia that he will give her the "more" she wanted. And suddenly he becomes a f*ed-up-control-freak-sexual-slave-master-who-asks-permission-and-tries-to-give-hearts-and-flowers. But along with "more," Ana wants to know who he is, and how he came to be that way. Thus, the blooming of Christian's character. 

Readers finally learn what happened to Christian as a child and how he coped with that at such a young age. Who helped him, who thought they helped him, and who cares for him more than he realizes. Readers discover the view Christian has of himself and that allows them to connect deeper with his character. EL James also gives the readers a peek into Mr. Grey's psyche, letting Anastasia discuss Christian with Dr. Flynn, his therapist. 

All the disconnection that readers felt with Christian throughout the first book, has disappeared. The main focus of this novel is the connection with Christian which allows readers to better understand Ana's sweet Fifty Shades. Perhaps, they'll even have an opinion change. I know I did. 

Fifty Shades Darker

on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

Fifty Shades of Grey

"When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview  young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, find she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana's quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her too--but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success--his multinational businesses, his cast wealth, his loving family--Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey's secrets and explores her own dark desires."

* *

As my friend, Carrie, told me when she let me borrow this book -- "You won't be able to stop reading until you finish." 

She was right. 

E L James' Fifty Shades of Grey does more than bring you into the novel. It binds you there. With just over 500 pages, this novel could easily stretch across a few days, but it consumes its readers without giving the slightest notion of a 'stopping point.' 

Anastasia Steele, 'Ana', is the main character of the novel. She's a young woman who is graduating from college with an English Literature degree and applying for jobs in publishing houses. She's also interested in Christian Grey - control freak, dominant, and ... erotic. 

Ana is as real to life as any character should be. Some of the things she does (or doesn't do) I doubted momentarily, but E L James not only explains Ana's actions, but also her thoughts and motivations. I felt a strong connection with Anastasia. Although, I did also graduate with an English degree, though it was in writing and not literature, and I share her future career goals. Though these two foundation elements are not a requirement to form a connection with the character. 

The personality traits Ana has make her a likeable character. She's somewhat clumsy (okay really clumsy), hilarious, honest, sweet, smart, has a vocabulary I would die for, and wants to fall madly in love. Plus, she can hold her own. She's a strong woman who when faced with a serious relationship decision (seeing that it includes being tied up) she doesn't fall to the feet Christian Grey but challenges him in every way possible.

The entire novel is from Ana's point of view; she is the narrator. This allows the reader to really form a connection with her, because E L James makes sure to share what Ana is thinking and feeling as she weighs her decisions concerning Mr. Grey. The book is an amazing read, but it is graphic. Some of the parts will have the readers wishing they were the ones experiencing the passion, and some will have them asking why Ana isn't running for the hills?

Fifty Shades of Grey 

on Amazon

   

rating: 4/5 cups