After re-reading this series... it's not as great as I thought it was back in 2013 .. lol ( )

Puns on the title aside, Kiera Allen is the kind of heroine to make you miss lovable, personable, empathetic Bella Swan. She thinks of every woman in the entire book, including her mother and sister, in terms of:

a: if she is more/less beautiful than Kiera (generally the former, in which case Kiera either hates her, or justifies liking the other woman in spite of her looks)
b: if she wants Kellan (she always does)
c: how Kiera is better than the other woman because Kellan is her man OR how Kellan is too good for the likes of her and will instantly go to the other woman

It's probably the most misogynistic book I've ever read. No one has ever thought less of other women. The only exception I can think of is Abby, Denny's new True Love, which she justifies because Denny is too good for her anyway. In fact, as I was typing this sentence I realized that Abby is the ONLY WOMAN IN THE ENTIRE SERIES, INCLUDING LESBIANS (don't get me started about that subplot) WHO ISN'T INTERESTED IN KELLAN. Mystery solved. She is no threat.

Everyone else gets Kiera's scorn and pity in equal measure. Other women are openly mocked and reviled for being sexually confident, but when Kiera is publicly sexual with Kellan and "helpless before his erotic energy" or whatever (not a real quote, but plausible), that's all the excuse she needs. I think every time Anna and Griffin are mentioned she throws in a line about how much she doesn't want to think/see/hear/know about their sex lives. The lady doth protest too much.

Kellan can be awful, but I suppose they deserve each other. If you really think love is more valuable because it "wasn't easy" or was "passionate" (read: fighting) then I suppose we just don't have a lot to talk about on this front. ( )

Recommend only reading the first one. This felt like "oh, I should write a sequel to ensure everyone they live happily ever after." Rather dull for most of the book, then *poof* unnecessarily complicated issues, followed by an all-too-perfect HEA for everyone... even the secondary characters. No way does everyone end up deliriously happy. However... I still like many of the characters so I guess it's alright if they're happy. :) ( )

Much better than the first book. Hoping this means the 3rd will be even better! ( )

Always my hero Kellan
S.C. Stephens took this story and gave it a real life feel, and the execution was PERFECT, thank you for creating a magnificent read and an emotional roller coaster ride that will stay with me forever!
( )