Definitely was disappointed by this read. Cass's series The Selection, was engaging and quick to read. So I was interested to look into this series. I won't be reading further despite this book ending on a cliff hanger. Where The Selection made a good faith effort at developing the love story, building the friendships up, and providing some world building that presented the characters as having real struggles... This book failed completely. I never felt the main character really felt anything, the love interest(s) were dull and had no cause for affection, and the world building was lacking in many ways.