Review brought to you by OBS staff member Autumn

Synopsis – Daunted by the singular sexual 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, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life. (Goodreads)

Review – I must admit that I was reading this story when it was a fanfiction and I am always skeptical when they are published as an original work.  This book is one of those exceptions that transcends that belief.

Christian Grey is both heartbreaking and menacing at the elusive “50 Shades.”  He is the self sufficient, enigmatic businessman with a taste for the exotic.  The young Anastasia Steele may seem as helpless as a moth drawn to a flame, but deep down, she has real strength and intelligence.  She continues to exude this quality throughout this series and it is one of the very reasons why I was so intrigued in the beginning.

“Fifty Shades Darker” takes readers deeper into the private world of Christian Grey and shows both the light and the dark of the tortured past he tries to keep to himself.  Ana continues to be both strong and vulnerable and captures his mind, body and finally his heart.  The twists and surprises in this installment keep you engaged and gasping from the very beginning.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a brilliant erotic romance with a slightly darker twist.  There will be another book written in this series and I know that innumerable “50 Shades” fans and I will be waiting not so patiently for its arrival.
E.L. James is also rumored to be delving into the paranormal genre and we will be keeping an expectant eye out for that one as well…