Book Review | Fever by Maya Banks

Introduction

Today, I am reviewing Fever by Maya Banks, the second book in her trilogy that follows the events of Rush while pivoting to focus on another character’s love story. For context, the series revolves around three best friends—Gabe, Jace, and Ash—who have known each other since college and are now in their thirties. Before the events of the books, none of them were looking for forever love, and all of them were into rough, dark, and intense sexual encounters.

Book one, Rush, follows Gabe and Jace’s little sister, Mia, which was an interesting and enjoyable read. If you haven’t already, check out my review of Rush. In this review, I’ll be diving into the second book, Fever, which follows Jace’s journey. The third book will follow Ash’s love story, and that review will be coming soon once I read it. Maya Banks is an author who writes smut, and I have been loving her writing so far.

My Thoughts on Fever

I want to start by saying I loved Fever, and I’m glad that I continued with this series. I genuinely enjoyed getting to know Jace and Bethany and watching their relationship develop. Their chemistry was undeniable, and the emotional depth between them kept me invested. However, I must admit that it took me a while to finish this book. The narrative leaned heavily into exploring Bethany’s difficult past and the struggles she faced, which at times felt more like trauma porn than character development. Having just finished another series with similarly heavy themes, I found myself getting stuck whenever the story highlighted her tough situations. It was emotionally draining and, at times, overwhelming.

One of the most surprising aspects of this story was the unconventional beginning to Jace and Bethany’s relationship. Bethany first meets Jace and his best friend, Ash, and agrees to a threesome in exchange for food. This was a shocking and bold narrative choice that set the tone for their complex relationship dynamic. I wasn’t sure how the story would move past this, but Maya Banks handled it beautifully. Jace hits it off with Bethany, and after she runs away the next day, he becomes determined to find her and take care of her. Watching him fall hard for her and navigate his intense feelings was one of the highlights of the book.

At this point, the theme of quick engagements is evident (spoiler alert!), and it seems to be a recurring pattern in the series. I can’t help but wonder if book three will follow a similar structure, especially as it focuses on Ash’s love story. Knowing Ash’s role in Jace and Bethany’s story, I’m curious to see how his character will evolve and if his journey to love will be just as intense and passionate.

Honestly, I expect Ash’s story to follow a familiar pattern. He’s currently the most carefree of the trio, uninterested in love and only looking for casual encounters. I’m anticipating that he’ll unexpectedly find someone who piques his interest, challenging his stance on love. They’ll likely go through struggles, either related to his past or hers, before coming to terms with their feelings. And if the theme of quick engagements continues, I wouldn’t be surprised if the book ends with him proposing, just like Gabe and Jace did in their stories. It feels a bit predictable, but I’m still excited to see how Maya Banks brings his journey to life.

Character Analysis

I will be focusing on Jace, Bethany, and Jack for this character analysis. Each of the men in this series deserves to be highlighted in their own book, as well as their counterparts. However, I will primarily focus on the main characters in Fever and also touch on Jack, who plays a significant role in the story’s conflict.

Jace

He is intense, protective, and driven by his emotions. His immediate need to take care of Bethany and his fierce loyalty made him a compelling character to follow. Jace’s journey of learning to love and trust was beautifully portrayed. His struggle with jealousy and his need to protect Bethany from her past, especially from Jack’s influence, added complexity to his character.

Bethany

A homeless adult with a troubled past, Bethany has faced hardships in foster care, battled drug abuse, and used sex as a coping mechanism. Despite her brokenness, she is resilient and vulnerable, and her character arc is about learning to accept love and security. Her growth is powerful, even though it was emotionally taxing to read. Her loyalty to Jack complicates her relationship with Jace, as she struggles to balance her past with her hopes for a better future.

Jack

Bethany’s childhood friend who grew up with her in the foster care system, Jack endured the same hardships as Bethany. Like her, he is homeless and continues to struggle with destructive behaviors. Bethany sees him as a brother figure, and her loyalty to him is unshakable. However, Jack’s presence is a significant barrier in Jace and Bethany’s relationship because of his self-destructive nature. Jace’s protectiveness over Bethany clashes with her need to help Jack, creating intense emotional conflict. Jack’s character serves as a reminder of Bethany’s past and the life she’s trying to escape, adding depth to the story’s emotional stakes.

Final Thoughts and Rating

Despite the heavy emotional themes, Maya Banks’ storytelling and character-building kept me engaged. If you’re prepared for an emotional rollercoaster with moments of intense passion and heartfelt romance, then Fever is definitely worth a read. The way Maya Banks navigates complex relationships, particularly with Jack’s involvement, is beautifully executed. I’m glad I continued with the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Ash’s story unfolds in the final book.

I would rate Fever a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The story was captivating, the romance was intense, and the characters were beautifully flawed and layered. However, the heavy emotional themes made it a difficult read at times, which kept me from giving it a perfect score.

Stay tuned for my review of book three once I dive into Ash’s story!

Check out the book review on Rush by Maya Banks

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