As a second book in the series, this was fun and kept the story moving along. I think the shenanigans (the many plot elements and complications) were bordering on overwrought. And in the spoiler section I explain what I really struggled with. 

But spending time with Val was good. She was a smidge less annoying in her own story. I think this is a me issue, though; I dislike people who go out of their way to not accept help, not owe anyone, and to be independent. It’s hard to love someone like this and making this kind of person the main character meant that 3/4 (or more) of the story was just Val fighting with herself via people trying to be a friend or be kind or at least be appreciative. I did enjoy the interplay with her kids. But I hated all the sex addict ex husband stuff.

the really bad thing is, I’m not sure I liked Sully, though, and most of Val’s interactions with men were kind of cringey, Sully included. Like, why is he always only talking about sex? He has two switches: work and sex. It was pretty uncomfortable to read. And despite all his enlightened talk he was relentlessly pursuing and frustrated with her when he didn’t get his way. Gross. Her ex’s former boss hitting on her was awkward. The way the villain talks to her was especially hard to hear — his issue seemed to be she was a woman. And despite how supposedly tough things have been in her life she is doing financially well; the ex has a vacation cabin, expensive tools, they all have cars, etc.; Val has parents who helped her buy a business. Unrealistic in a story that goes out of its way to have so much realistic misogyny? Maybe I’m just nitpicking, tho.

I still really love the psycho friends angle of the story. And seeing Robin thru Val’s eyes was fun.