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Stumbled across this one when I was contemplating rereading Cordelia Kingsbridge's Seven of Spades series. I'm glad I did, I could not put this down for two days.

Aside from Charles and Ángel, both of whom I love, the way ALL the characters co-exist is incredible. So many times other characters in a romance seem like cardboard cut-outs, there to distract the star couple and more or less the reader XD. Not here. Each one has their own fully formed personality, quirks, backgrounds, upsides and downsides. They don't take the spotlight away from Charles or Ángel but still brighten the scene, even if they only get in a single line from the script.

"Your husband and kids need to be your first priority. Shane has his wife, Sakura has her boyfriend, Jade has her..."

"I dare you to call them my roommates," Jade said, her eyes flashing.

"Partners," Charles finished.



Charles and Ángel's team made this book so much fun. Eva, Jade, Sakura, Shawn, I can't decide which one's my favorite.

Even characters who weren't actively present in the book, (view spoiler)[ Raúl and Paul (the similarity in their names is such a funny coincidence to me) (hide spoiler)], felt as though they were alive through the memories and mentions of them.


Then there was the spice. Man oh MAN can Cordelia write spice.



There's a reason I only read her books from the safety of my personal Kindle. I love her book covers but I will only ever see them on the screen of my phone. XD

The reason for all the water under Charles and Angel's bridge could have had a bigger impact than it did, but I did love how it's the stalker who indirectly forces them to face their issues. They can't get around it, not with a crazy person on the loose.

The biggest reason for the four stars is that I wish there had been a fluffier, kinder ending. I'm a sucker for a And They All Lived Happily Ever After The End and I like to drag out the emotions it provokes for as long as possible. I am the person who will rewind the end of a movie five times until I feel better. I NEED that comfort after all of the suspense and trauma from the big finale.

I definitely believe Charles and Ángel deserved that after all they went through, especially Ángel. :'(

Also, the absolute IRONY here: (view spoiler)[ Jesenia wanted to "rescue" (there's some heavy quotation marks there, huh?) Ángel after the way Raúl had treated for the past two years, and yet, I don't believe Raúl would have done any of the horrific things that Jesenia had done to Ángel. Raúl was a terrible person, no doubts there, but it was proven on several occasions that he genuinely cared for Ángel in a non-psychotic way.

Not saying I wish he were still alive or that his and Ángel's relationship was a healthy one—it wasn't, but just, the IRONY. Jesenia became what she hated most.

That was a good part of the ending. (hide spoiler)]