When Maya Banks sets out to write a hot story, she delivers on all counts. Forget the Fifty Shades of Messed Up, what you need to be reading is about Mr. Gabe Hamilton, and friends.

What a hot hunk of man Gabe is. He is the ideal fantasy for anyone who likes the tall, rich and powerful hero. This may have been exploited a bit much for my taste lately, but I think Ms. Banks has it dead right. You can’t help but want Gabe, even though he’s arrogant and always thinking about himself. And my favorite…he’s a grown man. Sexy, assertive, intense…sex on legs.

The one thing that’s original about this series is that each book will feature a different couple. Thank you Ms. Banks! We go back to the roots of the Sweet series, where she introduces a group of friends or family members and we get to find out all the kinky things they get into. This series is like that. It adds another level to the story that I find lacking in a series that follows the same couple.

I read a few of the reviews so another synopsis isn’t needed. However, I would like to comment on some of the issues raised by other reviewers and note a couple of my bones of contrition. The bill up to the sexual joining was their history. They knew each other for years and had sexual chemistry that drew them to one another. The contract was not needed. It was too 50 Shades of Gray. A simple romantic dinner at Gabe’s home where they discussed their expectations with a written visual aid such as a questionnaire or a listing of sexual acts so hard and soft limits could be communicated. You do not send a contract to your lawyer with the signature of your best friend’s baby sister who you have known for a decade. This is also the reason you do not compromise her by having her perform sexual acts in the presence of business associates. If your reputation was compromised because of claims made by your ex-wife, you do not perform sexual acts in public or place your partner in a position that could be considered abusive. If you respect your business partner / best friend, you do not turn his sister into sexual entertainment knowing that he will have to work with those men. You do not grant your ex-wife a second audience, when you already told her you weren’t interested in reconciliation while sharing an office with your current lover, especially since your current lover has a jealous streak and you know your ex-wife is in desperation mode.

The title certainly doesn’t fit this drawn out tale. I’m all for character development but the sub-plots in this tale distracted rather than added to the storyline. A mother who calls her son every other day to complain about his father is out of order. I guess Gabe’s selfishness was bred into him by his parents. Mia’s friends were nothing short of annoying. Their banter and behaviors were too high school. We gotta go to the club where I can not spend time with you since I miss you so much. Caroline was so out of order. Let me tell my good news to our friends.

This story would have read better if characters did not repeat themselves so often and the fat (sub-plots) from trimmed. However, I found the sex screens scorching. I loved that Gabe was not a minute man. He was an alpha with a soft side. I didn’t appreciate the author’s choice for Jace and Ash to walk in on such a private moment; but, fiction is fiction. At his age, it was unbelievable that Gabe would have allowed Jace such power. Hence, it was disappointing that the ending was more disturbing than climatic. Hell, I would have rather that Charles kidnapped Mia and Gabe had to rescue her. Jace could have found out about their relationship when he witnessed Gabe and Mia’s reunion as they kissed and professed their love to each other. All in all, I am most disappointed that I had already purchased the remaining books in the trilogy, prior to reading “Rush”.

Starts off very 50 Shades - which was not really necessary given the circumstances. We have Gabe Hamilton, 38 and Mia Crestwell, 24 who have known one another for years. Gabe is partnered with Mia's brother in business and a long standing friendship. Gabe has long felt something more than "brotherly love" for Mia, but has not acted on it for a host of reasons. Mia also felt an attraction to Gabe since her teens. Given the background, was the whole "contract" really necessary? Gabe could have/should have handled it differently. Ok, maybe it would have made for a boring story, but there could have been other ways Mia and Gabe become involved...

As the story goes on, I couldn't understand how Mia could so easily accept some of the things Gabe did to her. The incident in Paris, for example. I mean WTF, how could she forgive him for that.

I forged on because I liked the other characters. Specifically Ash and Jace. I want to see where the story goes from here. Not the best romance series out there, but it's up to you.

I'm a HUGE fan of Ms Banks' books. I absolutely love her style, her characters, her plots, the topcis she writes about, ALL of it.

Sadly, this book is the exception. Don't get me wrong, her style is there, the way she develops the characters is there & the way the plot develops is kinda, sorta ok, not good.
My big issues are the way Gabe handles Mia, emotionally & physically. He is such a jerk & Mia is such a fool for putting up with ALL of it the way she does. I was expecting a much stronger Mia WAY earlier in the book, not almost at the end.
Also, I was expecting Gabe to go thru WAY more to get Mia back at the end, not happy about the ease in which he wins her back.
Last but not least, the whole sex topic is quite strong, which I don't mind, I know it's out there, people like different styles, that's fine with me, but there are 2 scenes that have a lot to do with my 2-star rating. The one I absolutely hate is the one where Gabe even admits "raping" her mouth. HATE IT. The other one is the scene in Paris, which i just don't like.

I won't let one book ruin this series for me, I'l give it a try one more time & read Fever, which I hope is better than Rush.