I don't want this series to end. I just don't. Because this was the last full-length novel, it was a bittersweet reading experience for me. That being said, I'm holding off the tears until I finish Unbreakable Stories: Rowe and Ian's novella. 
 I loved, loved, LOVED that we got so much Andrei/Lucas. I'm obsessed with them (and that's putting it mildly). I was a bit distraught at the end of Torch and I hoped that we would get a glimpse into their subsequent reconciliation. What we got was beyond my wildest hopes! The angst, anger, heat, tenderness, and love combined perfectly. So perfectly. They are and will remain one of my all-time favorite m/m couples. 
 The relationship between Hollis and Ian has been building throughout the entire series. In those types of relationships, authors sometimes struggle to match readers' expectations. But my expectations were more than met here. I adored gruff and grumbling Hollis. I adored his fierce protectiveness. And while Hollis was lovable in his own right, I loved him even more when he was with Ian. They fit, plain and simple. Their coming together felt natural yet still exciting. Ian had suffered so much, but he was determined to move forward, to find light in the dark, to take what he wanted (and YUM when he literally took what he wanted from Hollis). I also thought it was important and necessary that Ian saved himself at the end. Still, it was apparent that the love from his friends and Hollis bolstered his strength. The bond between Lucas, Snow, Rowe, and Ian remains at the core of the series, but it's been delightful reading how their lovers have enhanced and supported that bond. 
 I'm cautiously optimistic about the spin-off series. Cautious because I'm somewhat 'meh' about the Geoffrey/Sven pairing (which is probably a minority opinion). While Geoffrey's antics were humorous in small doses, I just don't know if I can handle an entire book of them. He read like a stereotypical "over-the-top" twink and I struggle to take those characters seriously. However, I have found little to criticize in these ladies' writing and I'm hopeful that they can flesh him out more.