First, I love Kristen Ashley. She really can do no wrong. I am not sure why I didn't love this story as much as the rest of the books in this series. The underlying and continuing story about the fallout from the disbanding of the corrupt police force was interesting. The story line about Malachi just shattered me. Chase's family dynamics were also very interesting and complex. I think it was Chase and Faye's initial interactions that just rubbed me the wrong way. He was so awful to her and he never really apologized. And then all of the sudden he just decided he couldn't resist her anymore and then...that is it. Then we learn he has wanted her for almost as long as she has wanted him. In light of that, it made no sense to me how nasty he was to her in the beginning.
That being said, their moments of being together are great. Once he gets it together, Chase is an awesome boyfriend.
The writing, as always, is superb. There is a scene between Chase and his dad (I think it is the first time we see them actually face to face) is an incredibly perfect piece of writing. At the end of that exchange, I was blown away. Malachi and Chase's "Chronicles of Narnia Scene" was also amazing.
I really liked Faye. Even though Chase treated her like a doormat, she didn't allow herself to be one. She picked her battles wisely and I liked her "backbone". What knocked this down from being 5 stars was that I didn't understand Chase's sudden change of heart.
No one tells a story like Kristen Ashley. No one. There are lots of competing story lines in her books, but she brings them all to satisfying conclusions and makes everyone of her books an experience.
I know some people say you can read this as a stand alone because it is Faye and Chase's story. But it is much more enjoyable and makes a lot more sense if you read the other books in the series in order.
