Chessy and Tate were once happily married, living their Dominant/Submissive lifestyle in joy and love. Now, a few years down the road, Chessy doesn't feel Tate's love anymore. He seems more wrapped up in his business than her. When she finally has had enough to confront him about it, he is shocked both at what she is saying and how he completely missed how unhappy his wife was. As the two try to work things out, they will find how difficult it is to really choose each other and make the decision to put the other first every day.

Though I hadn't read any of the previous Breathless books, TAKING IT ALL focuses on one particular couple of the character group, Tate and Chessy. Maya Banks puts in plenty of background information for it to be a standalone read, though after reading, I would absolutely recommend reading more of this excellent writing.

As sexy and intense as the intimate scenes are in this, what I love most is the brilliance in Tate and Chessy's relationship. They are two people who love each other, have known each other for a long time, but yet, they have still formed a rift between themselves. Their sensual lifestyle is part of their relationship, a large part, but at their center is an emotional compatibility that they are scared has been lost. The way the characters are forced to face their actions, both small and huge, is realistic, moving, and captivating.

This is a love story full of what connection needs to grow: hard work. No matter how powerful the love is between Tate and Chessy, no number of years together will lighten the effort they have to put forth for each other to get the incredible happiness they share. TAKING IT ALL brings together a couple on the rocks, and Maya Banks makes an unforgettable story with their journey.