With the exception of Jess, who is wonderful, The Professional severely lacked the humor and light-heartedness that made The Master more than just a raunchy and wild erotica novel. I appreciate Natalie's gumption and independence and spirit, but her character means absolutely nothing when you give her a domineering asshole for a "love" interest who dishonors her wishes. Specifically, I liked that Natalie and Jess had a deal to always dump guys who say their bad for you. That's good. Those guys aren't lying, and I love that they recognized that. But when Natalie realizes her relationship with Sevastyan isn't a positive one and tries to run, he goes to fetch her by blackmailing her and physically forcing her to return to the house with him. 
 For more of my problems with this books sex scenes, check the spoiler tag. These may be traumatizing to read so big trigger warning here. After Sevastyan brings Natalie home, even when she says no, he forces her to have sexual contact with him until she gives in and just has sex with him. Coerced sex isn't consented sex, in my book, and that scene bothered me way more than the BDSM/voyeur/exhibition club they went to in an earlier scene. Ditto the scene where Natalie refuses to have sex so he just uses other implements to penetrate her. Because that's not sex, I guess. Gross, Kresley Cole. Gross. 
 Again, Jess is one true highlight of the book (okay, actually, I guess Natalie's dad is also delightful, but he's not around much). Jess is so unapologetic about everything, and I loved her boldness. She's also really smart and absolutely hilarious. I particularly appreciate the scene during which she answers Natalie's phone call while a guy is going down on her and then says, "Did I tell you to stop?" Ditto the part when she says she's so worried about Natalie that she's been stress-eating. When Natalie points out Jess doesn't stress-eat, she replies, "cock. I've been stress-eating cock." THAT is awesome. Snaps for Jess, and literally nobody else.