So I'm finally getting back to the Chicagoland Vampires series with book 3, Twice Bitten. What stopped me from continuing for a while was my disillusionment with having to read a series all about one character for like 13 books. The problem with a series like this is that since the story is always a continuation and often times not a lot is accomplished in the course of one novel. It's the lack of resolution that distresses me. Also, it's going to get incredibly stale incredibly fast when the story is always told from the same point of view for 13 books unless I really like the main character. 
 Luckily for this series I really do like Merit. She's pretty great. I'd want to be friends with her and eat junk food and read books to our hearts content! That's the real reason I still have interest in this series. Merit has been thrust into this crazy, wild, and sometimes violent new world without asking for it. So in some ways, it's kind of a "coming of age" story. In her heart she's a woman on the cusp of real adulthood and she's just trying to figure out where she stands while at the same time she's also a new vampire. So, in other words, she has a lot of her plate. The thing I like about Merit is that she has a clear head. She knows how she feels and what she ultimately wants. Does she take time in figuring out confusing emotions? Yes, but she acknowledges that she feels confused about it in the first place. She's decisive instead of a wishy-washy heroine. She has a voice and point of view that I don't mind growing with. 
 One more new development in Twice Bitten comes in the form of the old "will they or won't they" trope. (view spoiler)[ Ethan and Merit totally get together both sexually and in a dating kind of situation. FINALLY! However, about 24 hours later, Ethan totally fucks it up and dumps Merit out of some bullshit about "duty to the house" blah, blah, whatever. SUCH A BETRAYAL! I kept tearing up at how heartbroken she was. It's a feeling everyone can relate to and it felt so real. I really love that Merit just doesn't take him back. She respects herself enough not to just accept whatever affection he is willing to give her. Ethan is going to have a LONG, hard road ahead of him if he really wants to be with Merit! (hide spoiler)] Also we get more engaged in the shifters and their politics in this world. I'm sure the ramifications of the events in Twice Bitten (view spoiler)[ The cat's out of the bag! Literally! The shifters are thrust into the spotlight and their existence is outed to the public. GASP! (hide spoiler)] will continue on throughout the rest of the series. So strap in for more supernatural action! 
 I would be remiss to not point out how funny this series can be. There are a lot of fun one liners in here. Here's a taste: 
 "On the other hand, they're the ones creating this pec-tacle." 
 I slid her a glance, arching an eyebrow. "Pec-tacle?" 
 "You know, like spectacle"-she paused to point at her breasts-"but with more dude nipples. Do you disagree?" 
 So. Much. Yes! I loved Lindsay and pretty much everything she said. I get excited for the parts she's in because I know she's going to say something ridiculous and laughs will be had. 
 The Chicagoland Vampires series is going to be an exercise in patience for me for all the reasons I've been mentioning. The question is whether I'm in it for the long haul. As of right now, I'm down to see where this goes. Don't fail me Merit! 
 P.S. Ethan... you need to get your shit together!