I was uncomfortable in the first few chapters, especially as Story is just 15 when we meet her and already obsessed with Nickel. She plays a dangerous game, trying to tempt him throughout her teens, and I was like eeeek I don't know if I can personally handle this, but in the end I'm glad I stuck it out because this book does so much interesting work.

Cate C Wells writes such excellent, grittily realistic romances that I'm never sure if I'm going to buy the HEA but somehow she always gets us there as readers. Nickel has some very scary and troubling anger problems, and I deeply appreciate the work he did before he and Story could find their HEA (with the hope they both continue to do the work after too).

Story is a sex worker, a stripper, and I also appreciated the no shame attitude that permeated the book about this, while also acknowledging the dangers the profession can have (and some jealousy issues but handled well). Plus, Story is a smart cookie, but not in a book smarts way, nor always in a life smarts way, but she does what she feels she needs to do. Nickel is also not a genius, and I find it refreshing to see characters like this; not everyone is a manic pixie brain you know?

Let me tell you, I do want Story's mom's story about how she fell in the love with the short, hairy, chubby jewish dentist who secretly fixes the motorcycle club members' teeth at his mansion (even though i detest dentists irl lmao). The author doesn't sugarcoat the trauma caused by Story's mother's backstory, but also allows grace and forgiveness without excusing it.

I dunno, I could say so much more, but I need to sit with my thinky thoughts. Please see Leigh Kramer's excellent review for both a full list of content notes (of which there are MANY) and just a great analysis of the text.