Still going strong! This entry was pretty much on the level of the previous one (as far as star rating). I still had my handful of complaints and grumbles, namely with the blatantly (still-existent) predictable aspects, but nothing that was strong enough to derail my momentum or drive to finish. My enjoyment still exists, though I must admit that I'm curious if the remaining books in the series will continue to be "just shy" of where they started, or if they will lose steam and be even worse (which I doubt will happen, but...still). *Crossing fingers*
Anyway, we're all crossing over at last! This is the first book in the series in which all characters finally intersect into each other's paths. It's also one that starts off with an immediate bang, throws you right back into the grind without slow buildup. At this point in time, there's no point for buildup anyway. Liam and Hannah are closer to her hometown, but sadly are still being pursued by Pike, who they foolishly thought was dead and gone. Now that Hannah's giving birth to her child, things get even MORE complicated. Meanwhile, Noah's handle on being a cop in a town that is falling more apart is becoming a heavier load to bear. Can any of these folks still hold on and stand strong in their various burdens?
As expected, there are a few new revelations in this book, a couple of which I didn't see coming. Now that folks have finally met, adversaries and their motives are more revealed and fleshed out, though there's still more work to be done in that department (no doubt stuff that will come later). As I said earlier, though, my issues with this book (and all its predecessors) stemmed mostly from the predictable and way-too-obvious aspects. In addition to this, I feel like some character arcs and/or personalities, once coming further into fruition, were grossly exaggerated. Villainy felt over-the-top, even cartoony. Character feelings and/or expressions towards others often felt sophomoric, like I'm reading a high-school drama.
That's probably why Stone (author) may have had some of her characters make decisions that were uncharacteristic, bizarre, or counterproductive to their own missions. Some sort of shock-value to shake things up, perhaps? For example, Pike had a massive advantage over Liam and Hannah when he survived that snowmobile crash at the end of the previous book, and he KNEW he had this advantage. So instead of being a smarter villain and maintaining that advantage, he decides to advertise his presence with another dead carcass like he did in book one. I was legit like, "Damn, dude, why would you do that? Now they know you're alive." Liam, too, KNEW Pike was luring him out, but still pursued anyway, making some choices that nearly got him killed.
The fact that these complaints of mine have been consistent with each book is, I admit, KIND OF worrisome, even despite the fact that I'm still enjoying myself, which I so am. I guess I just don't want things so much handed to me as I read. Let me WORK for something, ya know? Let me be SHOCKED. I don't like so many obvious things, such as Hannah and Liam being set up as love interests. Thing is, in order to do that, you have to remove the complication that is Noah. So, it's my prediction that Noah is gonna become more and more unlikable as a character so that it can justify Hannah being with Liam instead. I mean, I love Liam and Hannah and I certainly wouldn't complain if/when they become official, but...I just think it's just sorta tragic to taint another character to achieve this.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. But it ain't like anyone's out there reading this stuff anyway lol. Onward!