I did not expect this book to hook me, but it did and almost right away. The synopsis does not do this book justice (IMHO). The characters are completely over the top, but bubbling with energy that they almost jump off the page. I liked Ella immediately and just wanted her to succeed and find happiness and some safety. Her emotions were so raw and well written that I felt them all with her. So much of the story line seemed over the top and ridiculous, but it worked! It worked and I was dying to know what would happen page after page. I don't read many romance books, but the romance in this book was great and not too much (At least for me). This book is a guilty pleasure that I don't actually feel guilty about loving at all! The end had me enraged and intrigued and THANK GOD I had the next one handy because it would have been KILLER to wait to see what happened. I am continuing on with this series right away.