review: Beyond Eden by Kele Moon

Beyond Eden ~ Kele Moon
3 of 5 stars

Three lifelong friends find themselves tangled in a web of love, pain and dangerous secrets in this erotic Garden of Eden tale.

Tall, dark and handsome Danny Carlow has always gotten whatever he wants except for the two he wants more than anything-his best friends, lovers Paul and Eve. Determined, he waits like a snake in the grass, poised for the right moment to offer them a temptation too delicious to resist.

Artist Eve Everton makes the painful decision to leave her true love Paul for the siren call of New York City. Ten years later, with her life in shambles, she returns. When Paul's waiting arms aren't available, Eve falls for Danny's charm and finds herself a willing accomplice in the dangerous games Danny plays.

Former college football star Paul Mattling is now a successful attorney with a bright future ahead of him. But behind those brilliant blue eyes are secret desires for a taste of the forbidden. Will he play it safe or give in to Danny and Eve and bite the apple?

Reader Advisory: Not for the faint of heart, the pain in this story is vivid and real, the emotions even more so. Haunting and poignant, Beyond Eden presents a darker side of BDSM. You might gasp. You might cry. You might find yourself reading it again and again. (thanks to GoodReads.com for the summary)

My Thoughts -

I liked this book. I had issues with it, but I still liked it. I enjoyed the love stories, the intimate moments and the characters. I was not into the BDSM. Sorry, just not me. That aside, I still liked the book.

The caring, love and passion is easily felt between all three characters. I felt so bad for Danny throughout most of the book. He was doing something that emotionally killed a piece of him every time he did it for Paul because he loved him, but at the same time didn't know if he was loved in return for just being himself vs. what he could do for someone.

I thought Eve's character was kind of weak, but I liked her carefree spirit and willingness to try anything. She really loved both guys and wanted to make their situation work.

Paul - so weak. Really. I didn't really understand his attitude towards getting married and his family. So dysfunctional and destructive. I'm glad he finally 'bite the apple'.

This was a good story, but not for the faint at heart. It was hard to get through some spots, but worth it.