I was disappointed the first time I read this book. It was a new-to-me Lauren Dane book, and I wondered why I didn't absolutely totally squeeingly freakin' love it, like I do most all other LD books. Until I realized--duh!--that all my other LD books I'd read and reread (...and reread) over and over (...and over) again, until the familiarity and warm fuzzies and coming back to familiar characters were mixed in with the love I had for those books and series. And that this was a previously unread book and unfamiliar series for me, so I was missing many of the elements of why I absolutely love a book. *eyeroll* 
 I liked this book a lot more on the second read, and will like it even more on the next reread, as I am able to just sit back and enjoy the story as it unfolds, rather than rushing towards the end to find out what happens. I found new nuances on my second read, and look forward to enjoying countless rereads when the mood strikes me. The star count may very well go up yet. I really really liked this book.