Coming to this one after reading the Haven Hart series, overall I was underwhelmed. I adore the idea of the world and it's just fascinating enough to read all the way through. I do feel that the characters are lacking in depth (I couldn't connect to them) and wished we had more world-building to truly bring this series to life. In sum, I did read all the way through, but ended up skimming over the steamy scenes and reading without any emotional connection. However, this book is great for those times when you are completely tapped out emotionally and just need something to take your mind elsewhere.




Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
Maybe? Again, this is a great read for needing no emotional intensity but a distraction. I'd re-read the Haven Hart series first.


 See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book



CHARACTERS: As mentioned, I really couldn't connect with either Cain (The Blood Boss) or Jayce. The ideas for both of them are great, but it all remains just that: potential. I simply didn't have enough time or scenes to get to really know them or establish a connection with them. There is very little vulnerability in Cain, for one, and for what Jayce goes through and finds out about himself, his own emotional intensity felt a bit flat. Additionally, they aren't 'fated' or anything like that, but suddenly it's a switch flipped and they are completely connected lovers, which didn't feel realistic to me either.



PLOT: Humans and supernaturals live side by side in the world now and it's fairly balanced, except secrets about Jayce get out that will upset the balance and cause chaos and war. So Jayce works with Cain to avert that war and stay alive while developing a romantic relationship on the side. It's evenly paced, I'd say fast-paced simply because we don't get enough of the richness and depth to bring the world to life. It ends fairly quickly, without much issue. No high stakes, but HEA. Honestly it simply distracted my mind and for that I'm grateful!



EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.

1:5/low. A great beach read for those of us who don't read a typical 'beach read'.



CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled? 


25%. I mean, they succeed and it's a HEA? But there really wasn't much connection to fulfill.