I just want to find another Windsor book I love as much as I loved the first one. Is that so much to ask?

Apparently, yes.

This book was good, but it wasn’t satisfying the way the first one was. I liked Faye, but I wasn’t attached to her or Dion the way I am to Raven and Ares. Honestly, Dion’s “I’m a monster” attitude got old fast, once I knew the truth. He made himself out to be way worse than he actually is, so after a while, I could only roll my eyes at him.

I liked the progression of their relationship, how they brought out the best in their partner and helped each other heal, but that wasn’t enough for me to truly be invested in the two of them. It also didn’t help that every time I turned around, Dion was jumping to the conclusion that Faye was thinking of Eric, dreaming of Eric, seeing Eric behind his back. Come on, dude. I get having insecurities, but if you love your wife so much, how about you TRUST HER?

And then there was the inevitable third act breakup. Are romance authors aware that they can write a solid book without including one? Because I’m sure it’s possible. This one in particular was poorly written, it felt unnecessary, and more than anything, it felt like an injustice to both leads.

Faye buying the cottage was clearly a trauma response, and that’s valid. I don’t see anything wrong with her buying it, or keeping that she did buy it to herself. What doesn’t make sense to me is that, although it’s meant to be a “just in case” safe haven, she decorated it as extensively as her and Dion’s actual house, and chose to spend recreational time there when absolutely nothing was wrong between the two of them, as if that wasn’t going to blow up in her face at some point. And what I really, really didn’t like is how Dion reacted to the discovery. Yeah, sure, it doesn’t look good at first glance, but again: TRUST YOUR WIFE. She has given you NO REASON not to. Put your trauma aside for five seconds and remember that she has trauma of her own. Honestly, the whole conflict seemed dismissive of her side of the story, and the resolution felt very skewed in his favor, too. The answer is not for her to sell the cottage to appease him (I’m not actually sure if this happened), or for him to force a separation that neither of them want because he thinks it’s what’s best for her (I know this did). The answer, in my opinion, is to keep the cottage, talk things out, and above all, GO TO THERAPY. Each of them needs an individual therapist to help work through their own issues, and then they need a couples therapist to help make sure those issues don’t negatively impact the relationship. But what do I know.

In favor of ending on a happier note, I will say I quite liked seeing more of both Ares and Raven in this book (even if it wasn’t actually the two of them together), how Raven is thriving, and how the other Windsor girls welcomed Faye into their squad with open arms. Windsor Girls Anti-Poker Night is such an iconic name, too. I love to see all of it. (Now I just need actual Ares and Raven couple content, and we’ll be golden. Please, Catharina!!! I’m asking for ONE THING.)

Current ranking of the series:

Representation: