First let me say I say I stayed up until 4 AM to finish the book. While it does require some eye rolling and face palming at the actions of the characters, particularly Darby, I found I wanted to know how their stories ended. I didn't always find their actions logical or sensible but having known a number of damaged men and socially/'romantically (sexually) stunted' women I remember witnessing behavior almost as stunningly dumbfounding as Trick and Darby display.

I did feel Darby was a little TOO accepting of all she was told. A Lambo in his garage and she doesn't do any digging? Tamsen tells her that she and Grady know much more about Trick's forgotten past and she let's it go? The man she loves is tortured by those empty years and she shrugs off the fact they know? I would have put a gun to their head until they told me and then had a say in what and when we told my husband. Get some balls, Darby!

The ending is the reason it lost stars for me.
First - the parents!!! Give me a break! Mother was gravely ill so we left our 15 year old alone to fend for himself on the streets of NY? Even on her deathbed my sisters last words were about her children.

And as to Trick's terrible past with older women, drugs, expensive gifts etc. I was expecting something at least a little more sordid than a coke habit and two women. Yeah they blackmailed a young man but - it mistrust ALL women and avoid sex for a loooong thereafter?

That said, I really enjoyed this book. The end sort of let me down but still - character of Trick was so real to me, known guys just as broken and lost. Rooting for Darby to get through that protective shell and save him from himself. ( )

Great writing! I loved reading it. ( )