Let me just say that if I were only rating book one, it would be 5 stars. 6 stars even.. if possible. I love book one, I have read and reread it many times. I love the FMC and MMC of book one. I continue to love our FMC throughout the series.
*spoilers incoming*
This book is a WILD ride. The relationship is both monogamous and why choose in a way. I cannot provide additional details without completely giving away the story after book one. Many more characters are introduced after book one, I’ll just say that. Also, beware of the pregnancy trope! Normally, I hate it. But somehow I don’t find the trope to interfere with the story, but help it along the first time. The second time just elicited the “wtf” response from me. Triggers: DV and assault, unexpected pregnancy, relationship turmoil and heart break, cheating and betrayal, emotional abuse, a large and unsettling age gap with an already problematic pairing that could be considered the grey area right next to pedophilia…. Also, I hated the ending. With a passion. The way everyone reconciled after HEINOUS behaviors and it was just… FINE!? Hated it. There were characters written later that we are clearly supposed to like that did things that made them so unlikeable (personal opinion)… yet we were supposed to move past them. I know that was the author’s intent because it was the only time she wrote our very likable female lead in a way that was out of character (imo) to excuse or smooth over other characters’ actions as the series went on. Also, multiple characters after book 1 are written very differently then their original character setups. Prepare to dislike Hillary and Raven after book one if you’re anything like me…
The takeaway: I would WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend book one. Buy it, rent it, download it, absorb it into your skin. However, you are not missing out if you stop there. Yes, some things will be unanswered, but you saved yourself many hours. I would say feel free to read 1.5 as well. I don’t have a problem with that segue novella. If you must, book 2 is doable. However, as the series continues it gets to be less and less of a fun read. And the ending? Enough to make you regret picking the books up in the first place (after book one ofc).