So now I realize why I've never reread this second trilogy in the series (even tho I like the first set)... The H - Lucas - is an A grade, top shelf, diamond club ASSHOLE! There is nothing likable about him at all. He's an inconsiderate, entitled, aggressive (not alpha), juvenile bully. MA has definitely missed the happy medium of over the top alpha-ish behavior from a basically good guy and parked solidly in ASSHOLE that should be avoided! The h shows some personality, but is basically spineless all in all.
He's all 'marry me or I'll take your kid', and she's 'no way, but fine, I'll pick a dress'. MA actually missed all the marks when it comes to enough drama to make the book, but enough lovable/understandable to make the drama ok. It was all either whitewashed as 'you know that's what the author means because that's what they mean in millions of other books' or just passed over.
And then there's this useless BFF who gets treated appallingly, and really has no purpose anyway.
Bk2
All of the above. This H is not quite 'so much' as the first, but there's only a small difference and it makes no difference to the final outcome. The only thing I can think to add (to both this review and for bk1) is MANIPULATIVE! So very manipulative, and not in a 'for your own good' way. It's all in a 'for MY own good' way. The males in these books should definitely be put on the 'avoid at all costs' list.
Bk3
Ah, the only reason I kept pushing the reread. I had a vague memory of liking this H. And he was much better than the previous two. He was a nice guy with some commitment issues, but unlike the other two, he didn't feel the need to punish the h for both his fears and all previous crimes against him. The plot was more interesting too, but unfortunately the writing just couldn't pull it off.
Overall, very disappointing, and far too many hours of my life I will never get back. I won't be wasting anymore time on this series, and am unlikely to waste anymore time on this author either... certainly I will never part with any cash for her books again.