This review is for the first three books. They totally hit all my comfort read buttons.

I'm not sure I would have loved it as much if it was just the first book though tbh - the next two really flesh out the relationship and the world. Which makes sense, considering it was the author's first (self) published work.

Both MCs are equally possessive and protective of each other. Both are blunt and demanding. Neither wants to change the other. There's no whining, no feeling sorry for themselves, no angsty bullshit here. Pure heat and resistance overcome by realization and change.

Lots of friendship and loyalty, although - secondary characters are not all that well fleshed out, but fun nonetheless. The token drama queen queer best friend trope did bother me - this is a very heteronormative world.

The plot is low-stakes, predictable enough to be comforting and inventive enough to keep me from getting bored. The humour is snarky and the comeuppance increasingly satisfying. There are bad baddies and redeemable ones.

I'll be honest that I skimmed the clunkier exposition - not paying close attention to names or gifts did not affect my enjoyment of the squad dynamics in practice or in the field. When the setup in the third book starts to happen for the next couples' stories, I just searched them up. There's no major character development for them yet anyway.

There's violence, some of it is graphic, no real gore to speak of.

As for the erotica, there is plenty of on-page graphic oral, manual, and p/v sex with plenty of dirty talk scattered throughout. He is dominant, she is not submissive in the slightest. Very light bondage once or twice. ( )

Decided to try another of hers. Story was better, but still got a bit too pornigraphic. Done with her. ( )

too much giggling. ( )

I can handle some sexism from male characters in books as long as they change their views at the end
However men who have multiple consorts and use the word 'bitch' often aren't my thing
Neither are female protagonists who bash other women based purely on their physical appearance ( )

3 Solid stars

First time I ever gave a Suzanne Wright book less than 4 stars.

Numerous editing errors.
Very wordy.
Way to many characters and their 'Gifts' to remember.

Jared and Samantha were interesting. They have some very steamy adult scenes. But, it was just an okay story.

Now, I will say I was sick for most of the first half of this book while reading it. And, a lot of my BR buddies loved it more than I did.
OH! Also, this seems to be one of the 1st books SW wrote and her 1st Vampire story.

I also want to say Samantha is a strong female, which I really liked.
Jared is Extremely sexist and so are most of ALL the male vampires in this world. Samantha really has her hands full getting them to take her seriously.

BUT! There are a lot of words about nothing much and
TONS of editing errors.

The suspense was so-so. ( )