Is a week of passion enough to warrant changing their lives forever? Italian born Giselle Moore is reinventing herself for the second time in her short twenty-four years of life, trading in her bohemian artist’s life in Paris for the grit and glamour of New York City where the family she hasn’t seen in years awaits her. But before beginning her new life, she travels to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico … Mexico searching for a week of relaxation and reprieve before barreling into her turbulent future.
She never expected to meet the handsome and enigmatic Frenchman Sinclair on the plane and she certainly never would have imagined herself accepting his proposal for a weeklong, no-strings-attached affair. Giselle has never experienced anything as heady as Sinclair’s controlled seduction and cool yet devastatingly erotic commands and she finds herself powerless to stop the ferocity of their passions, even when she discovers he has a partner back home. The last thing she needs in her life is another complication, yet as the week wears on, she finds it surprisingly easy to relinquish control to Sinclair, a man she knows nearly nothing about. And to her horror, the one thing she promised never to submit, her battered heart, is just as easily captured in the business mogul’s unyielding hands.
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Giana Darling is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I believe The Affair is one of her earlier books and it showcases her amazing storytelling beautifully. I was engrossed immediately because Sinclair and Giselle had real depth. I am completely intrigued to find out more of their backstories! Their chemistry is amazing, and the angst that they both express makes my heart ache! 5 stars for The Affair and bring on book 2!
“A meteor in a universe of floating stars as bright and beautiful as diamonds…”
This a heart-achingly beautiful and erotic story about… well, as the title suggests, an affair… a lush dreamlike fantasy narrated to us by the heroine, the beautiful Elle.
I was personally captivated by the description of the location, an enchanting tropical paradise, and even more so by the description of the hero, Sinclair. He is a stunning, sculpted phyisqued man with bronze colored skin, auburn hair, a little long in the back, and intense expression-filled cerulean eyes. He is blessed with a blinding smile that will occasionally bloom as he is, for the most part, in his control of all he surveys. Sinclair is the perfect irresistible Dominating Alpha-male.
This author knows how to write romance. Period. Full stop. Her erotic passages are breath-taking and emotionally moving. I found myself thinking about these characters while I was away from the book. I need to read on and those whose hearts beat to the drumbeat of a passionate love story will feel the same.
I have two minor issues that I take with the book. Obviously the positives of what I experienced through the read far outweigh these two complaints.
The first is a stylistic issue with the narrative that I think the writer’s editor should have caught. That is there is too much mention of character’s “eyebrows” or “brows”. It was as if the writer defaulted to describing the position and movement of the “eyebrows” to express the more mundane emotions and character interactions.
The second issue comes from my personal soft heart for all living creatures. When I personally was in Mexico and some friends described a marlin they had on the hook, they related that this marlin’s mate swam along side the one being reeled in with the fishing line and rod. This tale cleaved my heart in two and forever left a bad taste in my mouth about “sport fishing”. The description of how the marlin met its demise in this book is not something I ever want to read in a romance. This is completely from my personal sensibilities.
Even though your heart fairly aches from the eloquence in the narrative describing the intense bittersweet flavor of a brief, passionate intense romance, there is one gorgeous shining moment that restored the five star rating back to this book and that is in this insight from Elle, our love-afflicted heroine:
“My boldness left me shaky but strangely confident. I could feel my old dull and sensible skin slide away completely, leaving me raw and new and shiny. Even if he rebuffed me, told me to leave right now and never see him again, I would have this – the new me – and that would be enough.”
Even with a bruised heart, if you really have yourself, you have everything you need to soldier on forward in life.
Now the question remains… Does this “holiday affair” indeed, end and are these two hearts still whole in the aftermath?
Wow. This was hot. I loved it. Not sure why i waited to read this! Will definitely be starting book 2 very soon!
Giana Darling did a great job on The Affair, the book was well written with a great plot. The story was filled with emotions. I couldn’t put this book down. Giselle and Sinclair were great characters.
The moment Sinclair and Elle meet, their was an instant connection, the attraction was strong. The plane was just the being of their journey.
I’m going to stop there, I don’t want to give anything away. I suggest reading. It’s a great story.
Thank you, Giana Darling. Great work 🙂
I am not quite sure why I sat on this book for so long but am darned glad I finally read it. A little bit of taboo, a little bit of naivete, a little bit of dominance, a whole lot of sexy and steamy and a little bit of mystery. Did I figure it all out? Not even close but I’m binge-ing the trilogy because Giana has completely sucked me in. Elle and Sin’s story promises to be one that both breaks my heart and puts it together I’m sure.
Wow! I wasn’t sure when I started this book because it does contain cheating. However, the more I read the more I fell in love with this story. I loved how Elle fell in love with him, and gave him something he had never had!
Ohhhhhkayyyyyyy…. where to start.
This book is phenomenal.
Trigger warning. There is cheating. It’s not normally my thing. But…. whatever Ms darling writes is apparently my thing.
I don’t want to give anything away.
But this book is hot. And hits me in the emotions out the gate. Love love love Sinclair. And Elle.
Highly recommend
I loved this book! It was hot, sexy, forbidden, and heart wrenching too. I can’t wait to see how their story continues.
I found out about this series through a fb group and they sounded so effin good I knew I had to read them and I am so happy I did!!! I love this Alpha Sinclair, I loved him from the moment I met him! This book…gaaaaaahhhhh!!! Perfect, fabulous, hot, yummy sexual goodness!!! Their chemistry was through the roof!!!! Absolutely amazing book! Now a HUGE fan of Giana’s!!!!!!
I admit that I prejudged this book. Never judge a book by its cover fits perfectly to this instalment because this cover really did not appeal to me. Even the blurb wasn’t something that got me interested in the story enough for me to want to read it, partly because I don’t like to read about affairs in general.
But after I read about book #2 I was intrigued. I wanted to read it and in order to do so I had to read the first one first. Let me tell you I am surprised at how much I actually like this book.
The Story:
Elle finds herself in the lucky position of going to Mexico for a week since her best friend booked already but couldn’t go herself because of work. Elle isn’t good with flying but finds herself in good company to be distracted.
Elle never thought of herself as beautiful. She has two sisters which are tall and slim and she always stood out as the duckling instead of the swan.
When this handsome good-looking guy lays his eyes on her he doesn’t let her get away easily. He tries to pursue her and Elle is taken by his tenacity. Sinclair has some rules though. No talk about private stuff, just sex, a holiday affair. Elle is not as experienced as one may believe and even though she feels pulled in his direction, she is not sure if she should have an affair with this man, especially after learning about his long-time girlfriend at home. Could she be the woman to interfere in a relationship?
I thought this guy would be a typical cheater without any conscience, someone who’s after every woman. But it appears to be the first time for Sinclair because he just has to have Elle. She is like a magnet for him. Sinclair seems like this cool tough guy but he has a really soft shell inside his heart and when I noticed this, I really liked him a lot. I think those characters fit so perfectly to each other, it’s a shame that he is already taken. But this is exactly what makes this story interesting, the forbidden thing and the secrets.
I enjoyed how Elle gets to know Sinclair without ever really knowing anything about him. She meets some of his business associates and I found it strange at first that they all knew that Sinclair has a girlfriend waiting at home and seeing him cheating on her. But I still liked all of them. Even Margot, because I can imagine me being a bit like her – no, not really. But if I knew someone around me cheated on their partner, I wouldn’t be ok with it either. I knew it wouldn’t be my business but I think it’s just not fair to the other person.
Oh la la!
Elle is going on a holiday to Mexico. She needs some R & R. On the plane ride she meets a man who takes care of her and intrigues her. He offers her a holiday affair, no strings attached and only while they are here on vacation. No past, no future, just the present. Can Elle do it? Can she sleep with a man and have no emotional connection to him? With the advice of her sister, she takes the plunge and learns just what she can do. This is way out of Elle’s element and comfort zone, she will be taken to new heights and brought to her knees. Sin could make or break Elle – the ball is in her court.
Sinclair comes with rules, self-imposed rules that she must follow for the week. Can she? And what happens when the week is over? Will Sin be ready and willing to let her go too? Yes he has a girlfriend, yes he loves her, but Elle calls to him a Siren, that’s what she is to him. She lured him in and now he wants to own her, to claim her, to everything her. For 6 lush days and nights, they burn hotter than the sun. Taking and giving and making mistakes. The end comes too soon for everyone involved.
This book is steamy and seductive. Elle and Sinclair are perfect for each other and the players around them keep the story entertaining and mysterious. I understand why they push Elle on Sinclair, but why does he balk and move away? Can’t he see how good she is for his soul? The ending is a cliffhanger and yes there is cheating. Do I feel bad for the girlfriend waiting @ for Sinclair? Nope, she is a big girl too and can make up her own mind to leave him. I guess in Book #2 I’ll figure out who she is and why she hasnt’ left him before. Or maybe they have an arrangement, while you are on vacay you can have vacation p*ssy. It never says and really I didn’t dwell on it, I was too consumed by Elle and Sin.
This book might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was certainly mine. So sexy, raw, taboo and I need more. I love a good cheating romance book. This author delivered such an intense storyline!! My first book by her and I know I’m instantly hooked by her style of writing.
Love this authors writing and you always know you’ll get a seriously hot and steamy book, especially with a book titled ‘The Affair’ you know you are going to have your moral compass tested. Whilst I don’t condone affairs, I like to live vicariously through books and characters that cover that genre. This author also provides a really hot male MCs; we have Sinclair, a sexy french business man. That alone is alpha male personified!
A Holiday affair – 7 days then they both walk away. That’s the plan! This book covers the meeting and the affair that’s not so secret among their friends and colleagues. In true holiday romance style it’s full of sex as you would expect, the two main characters in lust and take every opportunity to get their rocks off. And boy! Can this author write erotic sex scenes that will leave you needing a cold shower. The only reason I have knocked a star off is because the angst is yet to come. The book ends at a good point but I know full well the angst is going to hit like a tsunami in book two, this book nicely leads us there
This book was simply delicious!
1. I want to go to Mexico
2. I want to find myself a Sinclair
3. Where can I sign up for a holiday affair??
Jesus, as long as it includes our sexy Sinclair, I’m definitely down. #DontTellMyHusband Our Sin and Elle meet on a connecting flight to Los Cabos. She’s not doing so well with her fear of flying and Sin helps her by distraction. Nearing the end of the flight, they get to talking and a little flirting. Sin let’s Elle know that he would like to see her again but he doesn’t like the thought of how much she could change his life. With that, he walks off. Surprise, surprise, we come to find out that both of them are staying at the same resort!!! Can you say, “OH MY GOD!!” They reunite by pure coincidence at the hotel’s restaurant and reluctantly Elle joins Sin at his table. The two get to talking and Sin proposes a Holiday Affair for the entire week that they’re in Los Cabos. Where they’re not allowed to talk about their regular lives at all. At first it’s hard for Elle to get into the idea. She doesn’t want to sleep with a man that is in a committed relationship, but after talking to her sister, Cosima, she decided to give it a go. And this is where our story begins. Sinclair, Sinclair, Sinclair…. (sigh) that man can dominate me anytime he wants. PLEASE! I’ll take you brooding stares and sexy smiles all day. I loved this book, really, really did. It was my first Giana Darling read and was automatically hooked on her words. You’re going to love and moan along with Elle. What a scrumptious read. This ends on a PRETTY FREAKING AWESOME CLIFFHANGER. But, lucky for you reading this now, you don’t have to wait for the next book’s release. GET IT RIGHT NOW!
I bought The Evolution of Sin Trilogy. The Affair is Book 1. I’m completely intrigued by this book. Having read two other books by this author, I already knew I liked her writing style. The Affair reinforces that feeling. It captured my interest immediately and I needed to know more. In fact, throughout the whole book I was turning the pages wanting just one more tidbit to really give me a good grasp on who these main characters are. I don’t think I’ve got it, yet, but I’m getting there. They both seem so complicated and interesting to me. Sinclair is a true enigma. He’s bold, powerful, sexy, a very attractive alpha-male, and yet he’s so soft, loving, considerate, protective and sweet towards Elle. She is a fascinating character. A beautiful young woman who seems to have little clue as to her beauty and ability. She appears insecure, innocent, shy and sweet, yet she can be bold, forward, tough and powerful at times. She is clearly still finding her way to comfort within herself. Then she meets Sinclair and it is like a moth drawn to the flame. Theirs is a fascinating connection. One which we get to see the beginnings of in The Affair. I’m definitely hooked! I’m moving on to Book 2, The Secret. I can’t wait to find out what these two combustible people have in store for me! I totally recommend this book and series! Grab it!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. I was very intrigued by the description of the book as it did not seem like your typical affair book and it was not. It is well written and I felt the characters were well developed given all the unknowns and secrets they all seem to hold. Giselle is a strong lead character, but is curious of the dominate world Sinclair can open for her. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book and if they are able to over come all the obstacles they perceive to be keeping them apart.
This is my second read by Giana Darling. Even though I struggled with the first book. I am so glad I could see something in her writing. And knew I had to give her books another chance. And I am so glad I did. I loved this book!!! I loved the plot and the chemistry between Elle and Sinclair is soooo good. The build up in the plot of this story was torture. I wanted in Sin’s thoughts in the worst way. I could not put it down. There is a cliffhanger but thankfully all the books have been released. I need answers!!!!!! LOL!!!
“My love for you is the greater than the world”
To have a man say and honestly feel that to you, won’t you give up your self just to be his no matter what?
This book have the most scariest taboo for me. Cheating.
And that other woman is someone who dear to your heart…
But something in the way Giana’s writing that just so beutiful, you just couldn’t put black and white, even in dark. This series is not my first and absolutely won’t be the last from Giana.
I love how gentlemanly he was helping her on the plane not many men would do that. When she sees him at the resort where she’s staying he has an interesting proposal for her it does not come without complications. This will only last the duration of the holiday. Only sex no conversation about getting to know each other. I like how sensual she becomes because of him
He’s enthralled with her, he finds her insatiable. My fave part her seduction of him was sexy AF. She wanted him she had to have him, she got him.
This is the first of three books in this series. What begins as an unexpected holiday affair, soon turns into a passionate and complicated romance between Elle (Giselle) and The Frenchman (Sinclair). The attraction powerful and the chemistry intense. As this is the start of this series, you only learn a bit of their backstories, but what you do learn is important and I think really begins to build the foundation of who they are, why they do what they do, and how they act. This book is all from Elle’s POV so you get a more inside look into her emotions, while with Sin, you only get glimpses. There are some that will find issue with the cheating aspect of this story, but it is upfront about it from the start. I myself do not approve of it, and yet this book sucked me in. To me these two came across as soulmates that have been hidden from each other and then fate let them trip over one another at the worst possible time it could. A good amount of heat, steam, and a touch of BDSM brings spice to the book. In the end my takeaway is this: I wish they hadn’t been having an affair, but I loved them together. I loved how they eased the pain they both had suffered, lightened each others spirits and brought joy into the other’s heart. They just seemed to fit like two puzzle pieces. I know that there will be plenty of pain, drama, passion, and romance in the future books. I am eager to see were Elle and Sin’s story goes.