CONSUMED (Consumed #1) by SKYLA MADI

Reviewed by Jenny & Gitte

 Gitte: We do love our MMA books don’t we Jenny, and I thought this one was a good enjoyable read. It had real heart at times with some poignant moments. Consumed also had well written characters…sigh…I fell in love with Seth. It had passion, a good storyline, humour and emotion. I kind of wished it had more scenes in the ring with Seth though as I find the fight scenes quite thrilling. Did Consumed offer anything new in the MMA, no not really and there were a few unexplained things. However, I enjoyed it all the same.

What did you think Jenny?

Jenny:  We certainly do G! MMA books are our guilty pleasure and we love them.  I have to be honest, it did take me a while to get into Consumed and I’m not really sure why.  Whilst I did fall in love with Seth immediately and couldn’t wait to uncover his skeletons and find out what made Seth tick, it did take a little while for me to become immersed in the story and the characters.

I’ve put it down to all the to’ing and fro’ing  that went on.  It wore me down a little at first, however, once I got over that I settled in to what was an enjoyable read.  This was a great way to while away a lazy Sunday afternoon and as much as I enjoyed Consumed…..I wasn’t…..well…consumed by it.  Like you, I felt there were some parts of the story which remained unexplained, but in the same breath, this story was certainly brought the passion and emotion to the reader.

Gitte: So, we have Olivia who was a real likeable heroine. I only had a couple of issues with her, but they were minor. Olivia was strong, real and very clued up. She wasn’t a doormat nor was she naïve or annoying. She was a bit of a complainer which I found odd at times for her age, she almost came across too prim and proper and her work situation, well…that too was very odd. At times I actually preferred her friend Selena who I thought was a RIOT!

So yeah, Olivia is a good girl who faces the decision of whether or not to stay with her cheating arse of a boyfriend Blade. She’s forgiven him over and over for six years and decides that enough is enough.

“The thought of not having him in my life terrifies me, but I know that if he is in my life he’s going to keep destroying me over and over and I can’t do it anymore.” – Olivia

Enter the luscious Seth!!!

What did you think of Olivia, Jenny?

Jenny:  On first glance I wasn’t sure I was going to take to Olivia. She was very prim and proper and she felt a little over dramatic but about halfway through the book I started to connect with her and really did like her.  I applauded Olivia for standing up for herself and doing what needed to be done where Blade was concerned. What a cheating douchebag he was.  It did take her a while, but I’m glad she finally aprreciated her self- worth.  And yes, she was a likeable heroine and the interaction between her and Selena really did tickle the funny bone. lol

Gitte: Now, Seth…well he was lush, so sexy and cocky! He’s the catalyst in Olivia sorting herself out. The fact that Olivia fell for the tattooed bad arse MMA fighter was a classic case of opposites attract.

“I’d never approach a guy like him. There’s too much alpha male going on. He oozes authority and aggression. He’s a lion and I’m a mouse – he’d swallow me whole and not in a good way.” – Olivia

Well…famous last words because there is a strong attraction and an intense connection between Olivia and Seth. Olivia wants him but the journey she goes on with Seth is not an easy one for her.

“I’ve been completely consumed by him and I didn’t even know it.” – Olivia

Seth sends Olivia mixed signals by blowing hot and cold. He pulls back whenever she comes too close. He keeps trying to explain himself to Olivia without giving his past and his secrets away. Reiterating that she is good and he’s the exact opposite.

“…there’s a small portion of me that cares too much and for some reason…you fall into that portion….I can’t have good…because I don’t deserve good.” – Seth

I really felt for Olivia because she was basically saying just touch me…how frustrating, when he clearly wanted her! Seriously, who wouldn’t be all over this guy Jenny? And really, some of the warnings he gives just makes him even more attractive, don’t you think?!

“Wholesome girls like you have no business being with boys like me.” – Seth

Jenny:   Sure does! What is it that when a book boyfriend gives the warning to stay away….we scream…”don’t listen to him” and urge the heroine to go for it. And Yes, I was like that with Seth.

Seth…..wow! Loved this guy. He was…as Olivia put it “He’s literally sex in hand wraps..” oh yes he is.  This guy was very confident on the surface, but scratch beneath that confident, cocky bravado and what we found belied the public Seth everyone saw. Hearing about his past struggles really moved me and I  wish we had been afforded more of this. I just felt there was so much more to this man that we were laid witness to.

Geez, the hot and cold signals between these would cause a mere mortal to combust.  The sexual chemistry and the sexual tension was electric and I was absolutely hanging on a thread waiting for these two to make that move!

Seth is a non relationship guy until he meets Olivia.  He’s walking testosterone but Olivia seems to centre him and calm him. Although we did get to see some depth to Seth’s character, for me it didn’t feel go far enough and I would have loved to have seen this part of the story fleshed out at the expense of some of the backward and forward scenes between Seth and Olivia and other parts that felt a little unnecessary.

I certainly did enjoy the touching moments in this story and the heat and sexual tension was palpable throughout.  I loved this authors writing style and witnessing the growth of Seth and Olivia throughout the story had me invested in these characters once I got over my initial hiccup.  The epilogue was absolutely wonderful and a perfect end to this story.

You’d travel to Portland and back just to give me a hug?”  – Olivia

“I’d fly to the moon and back to comfort you when you need it.”  – Seth

Yep, I loved me some Seth.  I did enjoy Consumed and it definitely had all the elements we love…..heat, passion, romance….not to mention a tattooed bad boy MMA fighter..  I’d recommend Consumed to readers who love their romance set against this backdrop.  

Gitte: So yeah, I really enjoyed Consumed and the poignancy of the relationship between Olivia and her Dad was just heart-breaking to me. I found it really emotional. I loved Selena…I want her as a friend. Seth was gorgeous and I too would have thrown myself at him! My only real criticism was the clear editing issues and grammatical errors which I have to mention. Also, I found that Seth’s past wasn’t really explained properly and the Mason storyline seemed to come across as a filler. Despite this it was a fun, sexy and easy read.

“I like your shirt….I look good on you.” – Seth

Gitte: 3.5  Stars
Jenny : 3.5 Stars

Check out and purchase Consumed below:

Consumed

UK Link to Consumed here