After how intensely enraptured I was with Thoughtless, I kind of had to jump right into Effortless and see if it would be as engrossing as its predecessor. I'd have to say that although it didn't pull me in as much as the first book, I still liked it. Thank goodness Kiera changes throughout this book, albeit, at a slower pace than I would've liked. I felt like Thoughtless was, in itself, enough of a story for it to stand out on its own, but I did like seeing how their relationship progressed. Here we have two people who truly love each other and are fighting to make things work, despite a rocky past that makes it hard to them to trust each other. 
 The romance wasn't as intense in this book, it was more of Kiera and Kellan trying to figure out how to have a relationship while he's on tour and she's going to school. Here is the ultimate question when dating a cheater - Will they cheat again? That is Kellan's big issue while he's on tour. Kiera isn't known for her restraint or her strength, as evidenced at her lack of a mind or life after Denny left, but I'll give her credit, she holds it together through Effortless. Yes, there are still moments where I want to smack her, but not as hard as I would've in the first book. One thing that seriously bugged me was how she couldn't stand it whenever another girl, even her sister, so much as looked at Kellan. Seriously?! Yes, Kellan is hot and there will be the smuts who will jump on him on tour, but to feel so insecure around your family and friends, that was a bit much. 
 But I digress... 
 Kiera knows her flaws and shortcomings and she does her best to show restraint, focus on having her own life outside of Kellan, and to remain faithful to him. She's still totally paranoid and I was annoyed at how easily she thought Kellan would cheat after all he's done for her, but that's just who she is. I can sympathize with her because being the significant other of a celebrity isn't easy and with the temptation basically throwing themselves at your door, it's hard not to wonder. I didn't hate Kiera nearly as much as with the first book and she really does mature and grow throughout this series. Does this mean she'll finally turn into a likable character by the third book?! Please?! 
 Kellan continues to be such an amazing and swoon-worthy guy. Here you get to see more of Kellan's sweet side. After he leaves he does something for Kiera you can't help but fall for. This guy, as damaged as he is, is such an amazing guy, I really don't know if Kiera deserves him. Even though his band is blowing up and he gets swept in the fame, his mind and heart belongs to Kiera and it's like I fell for him all over again. There was only one time when I seriously hated him because he overacted, but I understood why he did it, and even though I would't let it go as easily as Kiera did, I couldn't fault him for it. He deals with his own demons again in this book, and things become much better for him by the end of the book. 
 Effortless is a more low-key sequel. There's still plenty of passion and the intensity of the love between these two characters is still just as riveting, but this is about what happens after you fall in love. I don't usually do quotes in reviews, but this one spoke to me so much, because I always say that it's not just about love, but that the trust is equally, if not more important: 
 "How we got together, the lies, the betrayals...we doomed ourselves before we ever started. We love each other so much...and we don't trust each other at all. 
 Was it even possible to stay together? Maybe we shouldn't. Love...wasn't always enough. And love without trust...was that even love?" 
 That right there, is the best few lines I have ever read and truer words have never been spoken. 
 Again, I don't see why this series would need to add another book, but I'm curious to see what Stephens has in store for Kiera and Kellan in Reckless.