I actually read this book for the first time years ago, don't remember when exactly, but I was as captivated by the romance then as I am now. I got the print copy of the book, so read it again. I liked both Ryan and Pierce, they were such compelling characters. Ryan was someone I could identify with, making a name for herself in her life and profession. I often felt like bashing Ryan's father on the head for making her feel unworthy, but I liked their resolution in the end. I feel like it's a good step in their relationship. I found I liked both aspects of Ryan, Ryan herself, and Miss Swan, as they both developed confidence in their settings, and I liked seeing her grow in both aspects. Pierce was kind and sweet, exhilarating and dynamic, and I liked his character as well. He was an honorable man, which caused some conflict between them when Ryan expected him not to be, but that is what made Ryan Swan fall in love with him. I liked the storyline of how they were pushed together and worked through struggles together. Whenever it seemed like they were on even ground, they were thrown off kelter (heard that expression somewhere), and they had to find their balance again. I thought it compared to some other romances Nora Roberts has written, of a couple falling in love, and one of them works in a field that includes a mortality rate. That was certainly a big theme, and plot line that entered the book midway and came to full culmination at the end. When I read it for the first time, my heart cried for them and still does at that moment when I reread it, but there is always a moment when I am fully on Ryan's side, against the escape. Ultimately, as I read the last scene, I am able to fall in love with their story again, but Pierce is who he is and will do that escape. Ryan knew as much and chose to stay with him because the fear of the escape and losing him is greater when she's not with him. I would like to see how their life takes off, if they have a wedding with Ryan in a white dress (and something old, new, borrowed, and blue) with her father walking her. I'd like to see that kind of ceremony for them, it kind of fits for them, I feel. Another thing was seeing their love story continue in Vegas as they spent more time together. It's a common setting that NR uses in some of her other books, of couples falling in love in Vegas, and L.A. All in all, nice book!
Oh, and I liked the book cover above. Whenever I'm reading, I search for the characters' descriptions so I can imagine them in scenes. The pictures of them above were heart-melting—he looks so irresistible, and she looks beautiful!