Easy read, but once again there were some things that had me scratching my head going really? Here it was more prominent given the heavy subject matter it deals with. (view spoiler)[I found it reaching and contrived reasoning why Becca's scumbag ex wanted them to 'pretend' to be in a relationship again just to appease and push her protege little brother into performing again. <_< Seriously? I didn't find that believable and a real flimsy excuse for him to corner and strong arm Becca into sex. And her ex's parents finding out what he did and coming forward out of nowhere a year later? I had a very hard time believing that, it just screamed contrived way to wrap things up. And that bothered me the most. (hide spoiler)] I found the back story a little convoluted. The pieces for me didn't fit. 
 The alpha thing. I almost want Shalvis to look up the definition of alpha because these guys to me are not it. 
 I've had a problem with this since the beginning of the series because I don't agree with the labeling. I know Shalvis loves her alpha guys, who doesn't? I just don't see these Lucky Harbor guys that way. *ducks head* Alpha men to me are domineering, controlling, power driven men who tend to push to get their way. They want control in every aspect of the relationship. None of these guys fit that criteria, especially Sam. And if a character is an alpha you show it, don't tell readers by sprinkling it all over the dialogue so liberally. It's a big pet peeve of mine when you have all the females in the stories pointing out how bone-melting killer gorgeous and alpha the guys are on every. single. page. Just...Stop. The more it was used, the more annoyed I was. The Lucky Harbor men are typical stubborn bossy guys but are big teddy bears who are sweet and considerate and never push or overpower to get their way. They are the perfect ideal men. I don't have anything against Shalvis's heroes, I just think it's a total mislabel. And there's nothing wrong with Beta or Omega heroes. Just saying. 
 The insta-love in here was outrageous. Given Becca's history and Sam's closed off guarded personality it gave me whiplash how quick these two jumped in the sack. I was expecting something major to happen after they hooked up so fast but nope nothing. Also the jarring familiarities came out of nowhere. He barely shares more than ten words with her the first time they meet and the next day acts like he knows her inside and out and can tell how 'sweet and warm she is behind the wall she puts up' and she can tell how sweet and wonderful he is. Huh? YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT EACH OTHER. Felt like I was missing something here. And concerned fussy foster mom Amelia worrying about Sam and mentioning Becca by name asking if she's the women for him when she hasn't met Becca or know of her was just a major WTH? And again Sam only met Becca two days prior to this. Was this a serious editing hiccup? Because it came completely out of nowhere and didn't make a lick of sense. Amelia never met Becca and has no reason to even bring her up. Most of Sam and Becca's interactions happened away from prying eyes and very isolated unlike the previous couples so I had trouble understanding the quick jumps in conversation and how even geriatric town snoop Lucille managed to take 'snapshots' of them on the beach and so close? Is she now the town's paparazzi? Yes the lady gets around but she's not that fast or resourceful. Can this character retire? lol 
 And I'm sorry but why in the world would you have the heroine who is suffering from her own family problems and abuse sympathize and even enable Sam's dead beat father? Why why why?! What? because she's just kind-hearted and sweet that way? GMAB. That to me was ridiculous and a cheap cop out to get readers to quickly sympathize and like a character who is unlikable and a total sleazy lout. What he did to Sam was unforgivable. He made Sam's childhood a living hell and Shalvis using her formulaic approach to 'resolve' the family drama in a matter of a week? was just too much. You can't slap a band aid on these kinds of deep rooted childhood traumas with patronizing dialogue. It just rubs me the wrong way. Same goes for Becca's parents' shame-faced apology at the very end that Sam pretty much fed them to say word-for-word. Are you kidding me? Totally unrealistic and so contrived. 
 And Sam on a boat that's not his, not planning to have sex with Becca based on their 'deal' magically having a condom with him when the mood strikes? <_< Come on. Same thing happened in a couple of the previous books. These guys are always carrying a condom on their person when it's completely unplanned and spontaneous (ahem Jack whipping out a condom when all he's wearing are his swim trunks and in the hot tub??). 
 I did like Sam he was sexy and so sweet and a little different for me. Just wish things happened more organically between him and Becca. The fast pace kinda ruined moments that could have been even sweeter and more poignant.