-- Want to know if the whole series is worth reading? Read my overall review of the whole series at seriesousbookreviews.com! Spoiler Free!

I was a little disappointed in Layers Deep when it came to the plot. It was more basic than I had anticipated and instead lived up to its erotica brand. Not that I cared really (in terms of the sex scenes) but I was really intrigued by the plot premise and wanted the suspense to be the focus--not the sexual tension. Honestly, there wasn't much to the story besides Tristan and Allie meeting and want to bang each other's brains out.

Tristan was a more healthy version of Christian Grey but I found their family structure to be similar. Allie was a strong, independent woman but as soon as she meets Tristan she becomes a little bit needy and I feel like her development gets stinted because of it. But, I did like the fact that she was strong and wasn't necessarily defined by him either.

It's a little insta-love/connection but I could see how these two would work. Everything happens so fast that it wasn't as developed as I would have hoped. So the romance was a disappointment and didn't save my impression of the sub-par plot either.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p7hLUw-1si
Actual Rating: 2.5/5
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This was advance read was provided by NetGalley and publisher for an honest review.

By now you have heard of the story and how very good this book is.

This may be a short read but it is powerful.

The character development: Allie and Tristan.

The storyline: sex trafficking, drugs, powerful men, and love, and that damn ending.

I am not going to give any spoilers for this story, it is a must read.

This book is 4.5 stars for me.

I was upset that the publisher, author, whomever, chose this cover. I am following another trilogy, and this is the cover they are using.

After reading the book, I understand the cover; but really are there no other covers out there.

Let�Ûªs start with the beginning:
He needs her to save a friend.
She needs him to plan her revenge.
Their pasts scar them Layers Deep.
Their passion distracts them...
...and distractions can be fatal.

The description of Tristan is unreal. He is depicted as gorgeous with scars.

‰Û_that white scar, slightly off center on his upper lip, added to the aura of extra danger about hime. I wondered who had blessed him with the sexy feature. [Allie]

These scars are physically and emotionally.

Cross was too hot for his own good. I couldn‰Ûªt let his Zeus-like looks and charming mouth derail my plan. [Allie]

He is a strong and dominant male that knows what he wants and can learn your secret at the drop of hat. He is also dominant in asking two-way questions.

[Cross] ‰ÛÏDo you always swallow your shots in one gulp?‰Û Cross leaned in closer.
‰Û_His mouth said one thing but tone and body implied something else. A yearning I'd wanted discovered; preferably in his bed.

[Allie] ‰ÛÏYes, I always swallow well.‰Û

Allie is determined and emotionally hidden. Her goal is revenge and in her mind she will stop at nothing to complete her task. She is very family oriented and would die to save the life‰Ûªs of others. She is loyal and is good at reading people. She is able to let go with Tristan. Be a woman and be taken care of.

My body ached in all the right places, ready to be touched and caressed by his manicured hands. [Allie]

‰Û_But I knew I would have Cross sliding between my legs sooner than he thought before he hired me. [Allie]

The storyline about trafficking is becoming a dominant force in books lately. Lacey gives us glimpses of trafficking and makes it easy to follow. Besides the traumatic sections of the book; there is also mystery and suspense to keep you eager to read.

The story moves at a great speed. The romance in the story pulls you in and has you rooting for the Hero and Heroine.

She [Lacey] drives you to a specific location. Your need to the love with Tristan and Allie is obvious but I must say, all things can change with a sentence or two, and Lacey really got me to change my mind. I was like‰Û_ SERIOUSLY!

I really believe this is going to be a powerful series, which will be loved by many. I am eager for the next part of the story, because that ending was‰Û_ ( )

Allie Green is a police officer looking to avenge her mother. When the opportunity to join Cross Enterprises comes her way, she knows it means revenge will be at her fingertips. Looking forward to applying for the coveted position she stumbles on the application when she locks eyes with the owner and suddenly she fights the attraction. Tristan Cross has his reasons for recruiting a police officer for undercover work with his security firm. He needs an in to save a woman from his past, but he wasn’t counting on encountering Allie. Together they fight a mutual attraction, but when Tristan helps Allie in her time of need, Allie realizes she needs to return the favor. Will they give into temptation and save the important people in their lives?

As for characterization, we have good character development. Allie is a police officer who lost her father at a young age and witnessed her mother’s rape. She’s tough and protective of those close to her. Then we have Tristan, oh boy! You’ll be smiling when he makes an appearance and of course he keeps his past a secret. We have a few secondary characters that play a role including his brother Julian and Allie’s mother. The real scene stealer? Emma! I adored her and she’s so much fun and I can’t wait to see more of her in the second book.

Narrative is first person via Allie and in many ways, this is her journey. She witnessed a terrible incident that no child should ever watch and she’s blamed herself for not stopping it. As a narrator she’s likable and trustworthy. While I’m not a big fan of first person narrative because it limits what you know, I really did like getting to know Tristan the same way Allie does. The writing is engaging and if you’re one who likes to feel the sexual tension between characters, Tristan and Allie can light a room on fire.

I debated with the rating between a three and four. In the end, I went with a three because LAYERS DEEP ends on a cliffhanger and there are still some unanswered questions mostly regarding Wright and what his fate is. Furthermore, while I really enjoyed LAYERS DEEP, the whole operation regarding saving Kendra happened too fast. We spend so much time leading up to the reason why Tristan wanted to hire Allie and when it finally happens, it was all pretty much over in a blink an eye. Also, I’m wondering about Tristan’s past with Kendra. Mostly, I’d like to know what happened that put her in the situation she was in.

I have several favorite scenes, but I loved the advice Allie’s mother gives her regarding her need for revenge especially when it comes to Tristan. I can’t help, but agree with her mother and for a moment I worried especially when you see what Tristan sets up. I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to spoil things, but all I can say is I breathed a sigh of relief and knew Tristan was worthy of Allie right then and there. I also really enjoyed Allie’s mistaken identity of the Cross brothers! The banter between Julian and Allie was great. My real favorite scene includes Allie arriving at the Cross family residence and the Flintstones references.

Overall, Lacey Silks’ LAYERS DEEP is a satisfactory read and I’m eagerly anticipating the second book in the series. ( )

The first book in the Layers Trilogy is an intriguing and erotic romance that grabs the reader’s attention from the very beginning.

Tristian Cross owns Cross Enterprises, a top investigations firm, along with his family. He lives in a world where trust is earned and loyalties are tested and love is impossible, and right now he needs Allie Green to help him find a kidnapped friend. Allie Green is a rookie cop seeking revenge and when the opportunity arises to use Tristian to she’s quick to take him up on his offer. Their attraction to each other is making it a little hard to concentrate on their on the personal missions.

The plot has a smooth steady to fast pace with lots of intriguing relationship issues along with their intriguing missions. The story is more about the romance than the action, but the author does a great job of keeping the reader entertained. The characters are compelling with strong personalities and their motivations are clear which makes it easy to relate to them and follow their story.

The chemistry between Allie and Tristian explodes off the page and the frequent sex scenes are red hot and leave the reader singed. The author conveys the emotions and the conflicts with vivid imagery that bring the story to life.
I found this to be a very enjoyable erotic romance except for one thing, the ending, we are left with a relationship cliffhanger, but of course, I am sure I’ll get over it when I get to read the second book in the trilogy. ( )