ARC Review: Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James

Fifty Shades Freed

by E.L. James

(Fifty Shades # 3)



E. L. James wrote an outstanding story to end the Fifty Shades Trilogy.  In this 3^rd and last installment of Fifty Shades, Ms. James has gone deeper, letting us know who Christian Grey is and who Anastasia Steele is in his life.  We see them mature from the beginning of their marriage and get to know each other as man and wife. An amazing transformation for both our hero and heroine.

Let me start with our hero.  Christian Grey is a complicated man through and through.  Right from the first page, my heart sank for him, as the last memory of his mother played out for us to see.   The why of it all, what started all the Shades of Grey, now out in the open.

With his tragic past replaying in his thoughts, his only reprieve is a sense of control hence the Dom and an Alpha trait.  We see him grow, get past his issues and become a better man for his wife.  It is fascinating to see him as a husband. As extraordinary as he is, he is as typical as any man is in his first year of marriage.  When the going gets tough, there will be issues with drinking, walking out, shouting and boy this really pissed me off…infidelity.  Well, not so much infidelity but an ex-girlfriend will always come up one way or the other.  Oh yes, “Mrs. Elena Bitch Troll Robinson” and psycho Leila will have their cameo.  But no worries, Ana’s “Inner Bitch” will also have a cameo and our Fifty will learn all of Ana’s Hard Limits the hard way. 

I know, not very many will agree with me but I liked Anna and I actually enjoyed her Inner Goddess.  Her subconscious and her inner Goddess continue to show up at random moments, which I enjoyed. Clearly, it was her way of expressing and recognizing what she felt deep inside. I believe it is her way of coping with certain events with Christian. And if you know this couple, it’s not always “hearts and flowers” as they would like it to be.

As Ana adapts to her new life, she must face a few battles but overcomes them with excellence.  Among them are accepting her new life style of being rich, last name issues, independence as a woman, jealousy, and of course her sexuality.  I really am in awe with this girl.  She continues to support him, tolerate him and will stand up to him.  She will give Christian everything and anything he needs including her life if need be. At the end, she is THE ONE to make him a better man, not that he’s not great to begin with but a better man indeed.  Ana has become the world to this Master of the Universe.  

In my opinion, this is more of a Romance story than a BDSM book. Though romance is more of what I see, Ms. James had given us a fair amount of smexy scenes.  I will promise that there will be a lot of learning for both Ana and Christian in the “toy” department.  *wink-wink* There will be lots of action, not just the “kinky f*ckery” way but life and death action as we will see Jack Hyde.  We also see some of Taylor and a little story of him.  I think he deserves a book of his own.  If and when that happens, maybe we can get a glimpse of our Fifty again (here’s hoping).

It is Bittersweet to say that this couple has finally found their HEA.  I am as happy as I am sad that this is the end of Fifty Shades.  Bravo Ms. James in creating such a wonderful love story. 

*ARC provided by publisher