Gabriel's Rapture by Sylvain Reynard Published by Penguin Berkley on May 22, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 411
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 1936305550
Professor Gabriel Emerson has embarked on a passionate, yet clandestine affair with his former student, Julia Mitchell. Sequestered on a romantic holiday in Italy, he tutors her in the sensual delights of the body and the raptures of sex. But when they return, their happiness is threatened by conspiring students, academic politics, and a jealous ex-lover. When Gabriel is confronted by the university administration, will he succumb to Dante's fate? Or will he fight to keep Julia, his Beatrice, forever? In Gabriel's Rapture, the brilliant sequel to the wildly successful debut novel, Gabriel's Inferno, Sylvain Reynard weaves an exquisite love story that will touch the reader's mind, body, and soul, forever.
Gabriel’s Rapture is the second book in the infamous Gabriel’s inferno series by Sylvain Reynard. I have to say after the previous book which really set the tone and stage for this couple I was even more intrigued by Gabriel and Julia and was itching for more of them and seeing where this adventure would take them especially considering the “forbidden” level of their relationship and I knew that we would see so much complexity come into play into this book although I still say 12 dollars is steep for a ebook to be honest. But I blame the publisher more than the author on that.
So to begin, Gabriel’s Rapture pretty much takes off after the first book ends, Gabriel and Julia are in the process of really delving deeper into what their relationship is capable of, and they have just had (in the last scene in the first book had sex for the first time) and so we see the intensity of their chemistry and the fun playfulness they are capable of in bed and I was so down with it. This is where we really see Julia shines so beautifully. Its such a new experience for her, but she takes it all in and embraces the sensuality that she is capable of. But we do have a threat on the horizon for these two, they make a bitter enemy and what happens to them is so heartbreaking at times. You just know they are fighting to keep their futures and their relationship but of course, its never that easy is it? But like one would expect in a romance novel, Gabriel and Julia weather the storm and even though there is some trust that needs to be rebuilt. they find their way through it…
Love is doing a kindness for someone else, not expecting to receive anything in return
Gabriel’s Rapture is a story I really couldn’t put down and it felt so nice to really immerse myself in such a decadent read such as this one here. I know that this trope is NOT going to be everyone’s “cup of tea” and quite frankly this type of relationship “Professor and Student” is not my favorite or one I look for in romance because of its forbidden nature and how as a society we view this type of interaction. But Sylvain Reynard has done such a splendid job in the power dynamics here. And its the type of tone in the relationship that really captivates the reader and you lose sight of the forbidden and feel the intensity and focus of the depth of feeling that this pair has for each other. Its really quite beautiful seeing them explore deeper what their relationship is capable of.
She is not my equal; she is my better. She is my sticky little leaf
Gabriel and Julia are really tested in this book though, so its not an easy story at times especially once you get halfway through the book, whew, it surely gets pretty intense. You really have no clue what is going to happen to them. And yes they are pushed to their limits here, but you see what strength both Gabriel and Julia have and even though it gets bad for them, their love does win in the end and seeing them find their HEA through all that they face, is the icing on top. I really felt for both of them and what their enemies put them through here and all the parties that are against them, but they find some allies to that support them when they least expect it. I didn’t know what to expect with this story or even comprehend the levels that this author goes to in her way of pushing her pair to their limits, but I definitely enjoyed the ride of it all.
Overall I found Gabriel’s Rapture to be a stunning potrayal of intimacy, artistry, adversity and desire. Its a story that will push the boundaries of love in such a phenomenal way …you will be on tinder hooks waiting for their next adventure!
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