Evan—A Dom in love with his vanilla best friend and enamored with a quirky older woman who enjoys submitting to him.Alaina—Burned by love and tired of masking her true nature, she doesn’t want to risk her heart with two passionate younger men.Daniel—He doesn’t see why he can’t have them both.Daniel and Evan have been together—without being together—for nine years. The best friends share … best friends share everything—except their lovers. When Alaina Miles walks into their lives, all of that changes.
Alaina isn’t on the same page. Over a decade older, she has things they don’t—a cheating ex, a child, and autism. A second chance at love isn’t part of her life plan.
Queen of BDSM Michele Zurlo brings you a scintillating tale of compromise, self-acceptance, and taking a chance on love even when it could cost everything.
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I’ve been waiting for Evan and Daniel to tell their story, I just didn’t know that they would involve a third! Alaina is an older woman that seems to have her life in order. Unfortunately, things like to go crazy on her. She discovered her husband cheated on her with her brother when she came home early to let him know they were pregnant. She got a divorce and her ex and her brother got married. She does share custody of their son with her ex. She met Daniel and Sophia when they asked her to help counsel women who have been abused after their physical defense class. She and Daniel hooked up and then later she met Evan and hooked up with him. When Evan and Daniel want to include her in their relationship, a thruple, Alaina does not want to because she does not want to risk being in love. Michelle Zurlo’s books are always amazing. She writes so well about the emotions that her characters are feeling. I look forward to more books by this author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sometimes different is perfect! Don’t miss this great story.
Queen of BDSM Michele Zurlo brings you a scintillating tale of compromise, self-acceptance, and taking a chance on love even when it could cost everything.
I liked Alaina’s quirks and her ability to face things head-on even when it was uncomfortable. I liked how this book dealt with the main character with autism and showed that people with differences are smart, well adjusted, and successful. Her fears were justifiable and reasonable, and I liked how the men weren’t perfect and had their own insecurities to deal with.
Michele Zurlo gives you Outstanding in Giving In. Hard to put down, gives you a huge spectrum of feels and some sexy to boot.
The story of Daniel, Alaina and Evan is compelling. Daniel has know Alaina for a year working with abused women taking self defense classes in his gym. Evan knew he met Alaina she was special. They will work together to help her find love with them.
It’s such a beautiful love story all the way around as no one should ever judge who you love.
Evan, Alaina and Evan are an unlikely trio if ever there was one. A college dean/board certified psychologist, a martial arts champion and a structural engineer. Two younger men and an older woman. Can you say cougar? Only it’s the men chasing the lady. Dr Alaina Miles comes off as quirky but she knows her limitations and boundaries. She’s divorced, a mother and doesn’t want or need a relationship. Daniel DiMarco and Evan Carrico have been best friends and part time lovers since they were 15 years old. After separately spending a night with Alaina they decide to pursue her. Unfortunately the good doctor is not on board at all. Persistence, dogged determination and being forced to give her space ends up paying big dividends for all of them.
Evan, Alaina, and Daniel were….. everything!!! Daniel and Alaina connected; Daniel and Evan have always been connected; Evan and Alaina connected; But the true synergy is when Daniel, Alaina, and Evan are connected. Not just physically, though, trust me, you’ll want to make sure your bob is fully charged or you have spare batteries, but emotionally and intellectually. All these connections could cause confusion, but they don’t, they fill in the blanks and the gaps that have been causing the shorts and lags in the characters lives. We start out with the physical, and the emotional unveils itself, and while the intellectual lags behind, when it clicks into place, perfection is achieved, and I loved it <3
Steamy, fun, romantic and entertaining. Breath of fresh air in a age gap; Thank You!!
Menage especially with bisexual men is one of my absolute favorites and this one has gone to the top of my list. Fantastic chemistry. I love the history between Evan and Daniel.
I enjoyed this storyline. The characters are well developed and engaging and full of chemistry. I enjoyed the smooth flow of the storyline. Kudos to the author for delivering a great steamy storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Michele Zurlo is, without a doubt, one of my favorite authors. This book however is not one of my favorites. There are somethings I really liked. Alaina Miles is a Board Certified psychologist, mother of 1, and a high functioning autistic. Her life is very orderly, very structured, and predictable. After having divorced her husband, who cheated on her with her brother, she’s not open to a long term relationship, it simply doesn’t fit into her life. Daniel DiMarco is martial arts champion and owns the gym that Alaina has conducted group therapy sessions for victims of domestic violence for over a year and they have become friends. Evan Carrico is a structural engineer who has started his own construction business and has been Daniel’s best friend for years and they have a friends with benefits relationship on occasion. Both Daniel and Evan are in their twenties and Alaina is in her late thirties. I love how Ms. Zurlo develops relatable, compelling characters that have depth. These three certainly do. Zurlo did an amazing job delving into Alaina’s mind, thought process, and her kinky quirks. Where I had problems was with the boys. Daniel has known her for over a year, but didn’t know she has a son?? I question the friendship. I felt very strongly that Alaina was at times treated as a very distant third. I realize she was resistant, but it was not done well by the boys. My heart went out to her. I didn’t feel the book wrapped up satisfactorily for me. Having read all the Awakenings series, this was just an OK read for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wonderful series!! “Giving In” is the fourth book in the series – “Awakenings” and each story is impressive and fantastic. I look forward to each book and NONE have disappointed me! Each book has its own story and each story is well written, the characters have depth, they are loaded with adventure, danger, BDSM elements, romance and much more!
Where do we find love? Michele Zurlo shows us to keep an open mind, reach beyond our barriers and we will not only find love but we will embrace it and our lives will be enriched.
In this story, we are introduced to an unlikely trio – Alaina Miles is a College Dean/Board Certified psychologist, Evan Carrico is a structural engineer and Daniel DiMarco is martial arts champion. Two younger men and an older woman – if this trio doesn’t spark your interest, I don’t know what will? Dr. Alaina Miles is a bit quirky, divorced and doesn’t want or need a relationship. Evan and Daniel have been friends since the age of 15 and part time lovers. I am the reviewer, this is my post so here’s a little about me: I am an older woman and realized that “older” men just can’t keep up with me, sooooo I’ve begun to let younger men into my life annnnd it does work! Finally, a book for me! Daniel and Alaina have worked together and always felt connected but it took time for them to act on their feelings. Evan met Alaina and there was an instant connection! The chemistry between the three characters is electric and so HOT!!!
Here is where the sparks fly and confusion for them to figure out where this is going. Daniel and Evan try to show Alaina how well they fit together. Alaina resists. The attraction is not just physical but emotional and intellectual and when all pieces fall into place – perfection is achieved! Throughout, the book we are kept on edge.
Michele Zurlo’s characters have depth, the story is filled with suspense, mystery, HOT romance, exciting sex scenes, fast paced and elements of BDSM. Her wonderful talent, shows how the characters learn about themselves, each other, relationships and that together they grow stronger and can realize a brighter future.
The story is a page turner from the first page and is a beautiful love story – no one should ever judge who you love!
This story was definitely a lot different then I expected but not in a bad way. It was in depth, and interesting. I felt like I was right there with them in their journey. And I find not a lot of books do that. Evan, Daniel and Alaina have an epic love story and I highly recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow! Evan, Alaina and Daniel story will suck you in from start to finish their characters were well developed and the storyline flowed smoothly I definitely recommend reading you won’t be disappointed
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers of this book
Daniel and Evan have been friends since they were fifteen. Now they are friends with benefits and they both fall in love with Alaina. Alaina is very smart and has many quirks. It has steamy portions, some bdsm and a happy ending. Love the characters and the story was great. Can’t wait for more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the story of Alaina, Evan and Daniel. Alaina isn’t looking for a relationship, but the moment Evan and Daniel see her they have different ideas. I enjoyed this entertaining romance as they explore all the ways to find love. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love this story. Evan and Daniel are close friends that have a bisexual relationship. The two refuse to give their family the wedding that they are waiting for. Alaina is an older woman who’s been burned by love, and has been making her true nature and she doesn’t want to risk her heart with two very passionate men. Evan is a Dom in love with his friend Daniel but is also in love with Alaina. Daniel he wants them both. Evan and Daniel share everything except their lovers. Will Alaina give them both a chance to give her the love and devotion she deserves? A great tale of self-acceptance, compromises and a chance on love even if it coast them everything. Highly recommend. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I really enjoyed Alaina, Evan and Daniel’s story. I love the connection, interactions, and chemistry between them. This is a hot dynamic read with dynamic characters. I love the acceptance and emotions in this story.
I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased, honest review.
Building a relationship….
While this is the fourth book in a series, I was able to read it as a stand-alone. That isn’t to say that I now need to go back and read the other three because I do. Evan, Daniel and Alaina were all wonderful characters. All three of them had things that needed to be worked thru before they could build their relationship. This author has become one of my favorites.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve read a lot of books written by Michele Zurlo; she has done a great job at writing another good book; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
GIVING IN (previously Time to Pretend) is the fourth book in the Awakenings series. Each story will stand on its own, but there are characters that show up in each other’s tale. After all, Daniel is Sophia’s brother (from Serving Sophia).
Yeah! I was hoping for Evan and Daniel to get together. What a surprise that it would take a single mother to make them complete! Because they are both bisexual, adding Alaina is essential to their lives. Becoming a thruple (Evan’s word) is just … right.
I loved the growth of their relationship as Lainie agreed to a one-night stand that became one more, one more, one more,… I loved Lainie. She’s quirky. Her true nature is not easy to be or to live with. I love that Evan recognizes, appreciates, and accepts her as she is. I love that Daniel and Evan encourage her to be herself.
The passion and chemistry were amazing. The steamy scenes are artfully described with such detail that I was lost in it. I didn’t want to ever put it down.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: GIVING IN
Series: Awakenings #10
Category /Genre: Romantic Suspense, Erotic
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC copy / errors excused
Received from: Michele Zurlo