Mature Monday's (1): Fifty Shades of Grey

Mature Monday's is a feature I've decided I'd like to host on the blog. You don't have to participate if you don't want too - although I find it hard as a Young Adult reviewer to post more Adult content such as reviews for romance novels, erotica, etc. SO! I have designated Monday's as my day for my adult review of choice. It can be of a book, of a TV show or of a Movie. I don't know if anyone is going to be interested in participating but for now if you'd like to participate leave a comment with the link to your review or post about an adult orientated topic :)
To start us of I thought I would post a compilation review of ALL 3 Fifty Shades of Grey novels devoured of the last 4 days of my life! Its a bit long, but I think does each book enough justice to quicken your heartbeat and make you weak in the knees!

Review: Fifty Shades of Grey Series by E.L. James

There are only a few words that could describe this series as a whole accurately enough … steamy … seductive … and enchanting. I know enchanting is not a word usually associated with erotic romance, but "Fifty Shades of Grey", "Fifty Shades Darker", and "Fifty Shades Freed" all had an enchanting aspect to them which made this series all the more addicting. As many have probably seen throughout twitter, facebook and goodreads.com - all last week I could not put these books down! They literally haunted my dreams - I fell asleep reading them, and woke up thinking “what is going to happen next?!” “is she going to stay with him” “Can he give more?” - it was a little unnerving, and I don’t think I have ever felt this strongly about an erotic romance series before. Yes the word erotic does put most people off because they think they’re going to be labelled as one of “THOSE” people who reads dirty smutty romance, and HECK Fifty Shades has exactly that, kinky sex. But without the “smut” it wouldn’t have been as exciting, or irresistible as it was - it just wouldn’t have been my Fifty Shades of fucked up (one of my favourite descriptors used by Ana the main female character).

Because this is a compilation review of all three books, I am going to break down my review into small paragraphs about each book, and then my overall thoughts.

Fifty Shades of Grey: I was a bit unsure about how I felt about this book at first. I wasn’t sure if I was going to love Anastasia Steele as a main character or Christian Grey for that matter. Both seemed doomed from the start, Ana a sweet inexperienced girl fresh out of University, and Christian the control freak, and dark business tycoon almost on the verge of obsession with Ana just within the first couple of pages. Although I enjoy a fast paced novel this one seemed to move at lightening pace. So much happened in such a short period of time - I loved and hated that aspect of the book. I wanted to savour Ana & Christians love affair for what it was - just sex. But it turned into so much more by the last page, my mind was basically spinning out of control due to pure confusion and anticipation I HAD to have the next book as soon as I could. Overall I was not worried about the kinky sex scenes, but was worried about the over the top too quick “I Love Yous” that normally happen within romance novels. But Fifty Shades did not disappoint at all, there were some overly romantic periods, and we were touch and go for a bit but in the end I enjoyed the first of this fabulous series much more than I had anticipated.

Fifty Shades Darker: The one thing I absolutely loved about this series was how they wasted no time getting straight into the story. Picking up from the heart wrenching conclusion of the last novel, Ana and Christian are once again thrown into their passionate love affair. Christian is still an overbearing control freak, but Ana not so shy anymore and learning that not everything has to be HIS way, has become a force to be reckoned with. She has grown into a dominant, and confident young woman, who is the perfect match for her Fifty Shades. Although still trying to convince Christian of this and her feelings, she learns more and more about his past which explains why he is the way that he is in the present. The audience also gets a better glimpse at Christians family life, two adopted siblings (like himself) and a very successful mother and father. I enjoyed getting to know all the other characters a bit more as Ana was - I felt like I was connected through her to everything that was going on. I felt everything she was feeling towards her best friend Kate, Christian, and even the evil seductress Elena. I was so enthralled with book number 2 I couldn’t believe it had ended when it did. Now don’t get me wrong this series is not only about their romance, it also had some dark rooted drama that only leads to stronger and more predominate drama within the third book. The best thing about this series, and also its worst is how all three books happen within about 6 months - EVERYTHING that happens happens so quickly it almost feels unrealistic at times. But pushing that aside, the second book did not disappoint at all - infact I think it is a fantastic bridge between the beginning and end of the story (obviously); giving enough to the reader to lure them back in but also leaving enough for the end of the book that we are blown away! Fifty Shades Freed: BY FAR my favourite of the three! I usually NEVER say that about books because I am so unhappy that the series has ended. But with Fifty Shades you want to know what happens in the end, you wish and hope that everything works out for the best and reading about Ana and Christians seductive journey is the best part! I actually had to pace myself with this book because I just didn’t want the series to end, I wanted to savor each and every page of this book, but at the same time the anticipation and suspense was eating away at me! I cannot say too much about how this book turned out because I do not want to ruin it for people who are wanting to read it or currently, but there are some mind blowing turn of events, some major explosions from Christian and Ana, but in the end I gave in and couldn’t help myself slowly swooning over their passionate and undying love for one another. Corny as it may sound, the reader cannot help but smile everytime Christian and Ana are together in this book. In the end I thought that the epilogue was the best part of the book. After everything the two of these individuals have gone through, betrayal, heartbreak, pain and fear - you just want them to end up happy with one another, they almost deserve that in the end. Although the third book is written differently than the rest meaning that more time takes place within fewer pages, and a lot less happens drama wise, it is still a quick paced and well written conclusion to one epic love story. Final Thoughts: Overall this series is definitely 5 out of 5 stars all the way through. There is nothing I would change about these books, every aspect fits perfectly with each character's personalities. Christian Grey although not my favourite character at first, haunted my dreams, and is definitely one book boyfriend I am going to covet forever! (so back off girls :D haha!) He quickens your heart beat, and makes you weak in the knees for a romance such as theirs. Although unorthodox throughout the entire series, Ana and Christian in the end were the perfect match and character combination! It was refreshing to meet a well educated and insightful young lady who loves literature as much as myself. If anything I would highly suggest this series to anyone not afraid of kinky sex between the pages. It was and is a seductive whirlwind of emotions that grips you until the very last page of the series. A wonderfully written story, that is strongly plot and character driven. A good mixture of crazy ex girlfriends, hidden secrets, and an insatiable need for love, the "Fifty Shades of Grey" series delivers all that and much much more.