How DARE I cry once freaking more at a damn monster romance. Where can I get my financial compensation?

Very cute second chance, paranormal/monster romance. Very sweet in general as most of these books have been. It was fun to explore the paranormal communities on the east coast since the last two have been centered in Seattle as well!

Hoping for more in this series, it's always such a good time.

Let me start this with saying I received a free ARC of this and I am grateful for it!

This book is right up there, neck and neck, competing with Nora's Kraken with being my favorite book of this series so far. I absolutely ate this book up and I loved it so much. I was hoping that Casimir would get his own book cause when I read about him in the little bit in NK I was already in love. So, when I found out that he was going to have this book I was ecstatic!

Ophelia and Cas were a delight to read about. They were both strong in their own ways, and have their vulnerabilities, and we were able to see them open up to each other. The beginning of the book with seven years in the past was good. The instant miscommunication frustrated me, but both Ophelia and Cas either could not communicate what they meant (Ophelia) or would listen (Cas). Which is why I am glad that it did not take too much of the book for the miscommunication to get cleared up in the present day. Ophelia made a lot of sense when it came to the bloodbounding. Having an entire family who will outlive you will make anyone feel conscious about their own life. And she realized and learned how to grow from that. And Cas was able to listen and see where she was coming from as well.

These two really did wreck me because they were so cute together. Their dynamic was a great one and I loved the push and pull they had. Their teasing was funny and I actually chuckled quite a bit when they would retort back to one another. They also made me emotional many times because of their own insecurities and vulnerabilities they were scared to share. I am glad that the story was able to progress before they had any sex. I am all for my monster romances having sex, but when the plot gets pushed to the side and that is all they do it does get tiring. I am so glad this book as plot with spice sprinkled in it, and it was well done as well. You can feel their love and affection for one another in the sexy scenes and it is because we got to know the characters beforehand.

There is a part during one scene that I really liked: "There's something about having a man desperate and begging for it that's such a fucking power trip. I'm no sadist, and I try not to be too cruel, but goddamn does it do things to me" When I tell you I ATE this part up. Having men in romance books who actually beg and submit themselves to their partner (especially if it is a woman) takes me out every time. I need more men in books to be submissive like this while still taking control sometimes. I need to see them being more vulnerable and trusting their partner and not being all degrading or vulgar. There were a couple times where Cas gave in to Ophelia and I LOVE IT HERE! Cas I love you and I am so glad you did this not only for Ophelia, but me too as the reader :3

The plot of the book was actually really enjoyable. I thought it moved at a good pace, not too slow or too fast, and the resolution worked for this book since it seems like another book will come with this ending. I wish we saw a little more with Phillippe and Marcus, but I will take what we got. Their plot points weren't too strong; but, Phillippe did come in the end and give a flashdrive to Ophelia and Cas for the case they were doing. Also, the graveyard scene had me a little stressed. Silver bullets which will greatly harm Cas (also Ophelia cause ya know, gun), so I was worried someone was getting shot. I thought Ophelia was shot and adrenaline just made her not feel it, and while that would have been fun to read about, I don't see it fitting the vibe of the book. If the book had a little more darker tone to it I could see it happening.

Anyways, this is really long. TLDR-- I loved this book, Ophelia and Cas make me emotional, and this may have bumped NK off the top spot of being number 1 (they may be tied now).