The book started a bit slow for me but that might be because I had tried and failed to read two highly praised (on instagram) books that left me so frustrated and annoyed at how terrible they were. So having said that, the story of Quen and Gray did slightly hook me from the beginning and I wanted to keep reading. The *spicy* scenes were so hot, well written and not at all awkwardly place like other books and I could genuinely feel the connection between the two. I loved their hot&cold moments and yes they were exhausting at times but they were very real and the intenisty helped to build on for the next emotion and it had me chasing for the next time they come together again and back to each other.
I do understand some people might not like that but I think it suited them so so well as they are both strong personalities. It’s impossible not to clash but the fact that they always come back to each other and work it out makes it worthwile.

I did feel that at times the pace was not consistent going from things developing really slowly to so.much.action but it did keep me on my toes !

I also developed a sense of affection for the other characters like Erik, Sloane, Elva and Ig and I did want to find out more about their stories too.

Before I read the book I saw what others said about the cheating trope so it made me a bit skeptical but having read it, it didn’t actually bother me? Don’t get me wrong it doesn’t align with my values and it did make my heart shrink a bit but only because I somehow understand what Quen was going through and if we are being honest and realistic, love stories (esp intense ones) aren’t linear and I thought it fitted with their wider story. It also hints (to me at least) of the struggle of women in particular of trying to shrink yourself and ‘dimming your light’ in order to be ‘adequate’ for the realtionship you’re in because ‘on paper’ it’s best for you in terms of practicality and ‘he’s a good enough guy’. Especially for someone who has a history of losing people out of the blue, I understood that Quen entertained clinging onto her and Matt’s relationship because of the dread of being left again. Quen is a very resilient and strong character though and gets over that fear quickly and is able to recognize Matt was no good *phew* which for me at least meant so much. Yes, her and Gray didn’t quite go about it in the best way but I genuinely appreciated where it all lead and I am really looking forward to the next book.

Charlotte’s role did let me down for how she treated Quen after she opened up and I wouldn’t have made up with her so quickly and easy if I were Quen so that in my eyes remains an unresolved thing.