Of course, like everyone, years ago I was aware of all the hubbub and hype surrounding the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon. I was aware only of the basic premise--that it centered around sex, and a controversial plot having to do with sex. Although I'm a very avid reader, I had no interest in reading Fifty Shades or in seeing any of the movies the books eventually inspired. Recently, however, a copy of a book in the series (which happened to be Freed) appeared in the Little Free Library that I am Steward of, and I made the likely-to-be unwise decision to finally dig in and read a Fifty Shades book; which I did.

This decision resulted in a wild reading ride for me. (I opted to listen to the audiobook, while sharing the physical copy with the community in the LFL). My emotions felt like they were on a roller coaster, swinging high and low (very low and not too high). I started regretting my decision almost immediately, and developed a pretty big disklike of the book and main character early on. And this book is sooooooo long. I think it could have used alot more editing and the volume could have been slimmed down immensely while actually adding to the reading experience and not detracting from it.

And while I was aware previously that the plot of this series revolved around sex, I was appalled to find out it was a deviant style of sex, to boot. Needless to say, I was not a fan of that aspect of the story, either. I kept plodding my way through it, because I'm kind of obsessive, compulsive that way when it comes to finishing books I've started. I absolutely detested the main character, Christian Grey, and his dominant, controlling (i.e. abusive) behavior towards women. It was very close to being more than I could bear and I found it to be so demeaning to women.

Eventually, the story developed a soap opera rhythm with a few somewhat exciting dramatic action plots unwinding, and my interest piqued and grew somewhat. Well into the book, I actually felt like I was kind of drawn in and my tolerance of the characters grew, only to be completely lost once more near the end of the book with Christian's reaction and behavior to a major life event, and something I felt no woman should ever have to, or should, tolerate. After some exciting action sequences that unfolded, everything was smoothed over and I felt slightly mollified.

The love story itself, minus the detractions mentioned, was kind of sweet and the newlyweds slightly bumpy path to happily ever after was enjoyable to see unfolding. Reading this book as a stand alone, in stead of in sequence, as actually the last book in the series as it was intended, does have its drawbacks, but it is doable. I did lack the context all the previous volumes would have provided, and of course, only got some bare bones explanations of the past events. ( )

Absolutely loved it ��
It's definitely not just about the sex. And not just about romantic love either ���� would give it a 5 � if it wasn't for the baby ( )

I love the whole series from Christians perspective. This gives such insight into why he acts the way he does and how he is working through his trauma to be the best husband and man he can be. I really enjoy that there are new scenes that are not in the original and it's not just a step by step of the old from a different perspective. ( )