And when Kim actually said the words - oh, that was delicious.

Kim, for all of his subtleties and stormy past and hard armor, was wonderfully transparent with the dedication in the book I knew then that it was love, even as Will (wonderful, traumatized, steadfast, obstinate) didn’t or wouldn’t see it for what it was. The love confessions absolutely slayed me. This review contains spoilers! Love, love, LOVE! I have read and enjoyed ten KJ Charles books, and this series - and this book - is my favorite. (I see why Kim and Phoebe like them.) Cornell Collins's performance is perfect as always. After reading this, I may or may not have made Sidecars for the first time in my life. My heart was mush by the end! The mystery, action, and conflict of this book are also perhaps the best of the trilogy! Meeting Kim's family felt like a natural, necessary progression of the story, and the way that goes down does not disappoint! You'll want to shout at them and see them hurt, and Will just might channel all that for us readers. It felt like the entire thing was an ode to vulnerability in love and finding a Happily Ever After.

There are so many tender scenes throughout the book that I highlighted something nearly every other page. Kim and Will both go through tremendous growth, and Kim's growth in particular is beautiful and well-earned. You will go from hating Kim in book one to outright loving him in book three, and it will be EARNED! As always, KJ Charles knows how to write believable people, engaging stories, and settings that transport you into the world.

If you're reading reviews because you're concerned about Kim in particular (the spymaster love interest who lies to Will), have no fear: these concerns are addressed seriously, smarty, and fully throughout book two and three. If you're unsure about starting the series, this book alone makes reading the first two absolutely worth it. The best in the series and an all-star, absolutely perfect conclusion! After reading this book, the whole series became not just my favorite by KJ Charles, but my favorite in the genre.

Kj charles subtle blood