Oh Heather- the emotional torture continues! I can’t believe we’re this close to the end- only two books away from the finale. But don’t be deceived- we are far from the finish line. Heather still delivers a book full of an enigmatic aura, a foreboding tension still permeates the pages. And there is still so much to discover. Heather doles out some answers in Merciless Spy, and we get to delve deeper into the histories of our leading men as always, this time with a focus on the edgy twin, Liam. And if you thought Rome stole your heart, buckle up- sweet baby Liam goes through so much…past and present. He’s been one of my favorite men to dig more deeply into, in part because his growth in the series is one of the most visible character journeys. The initial sour patch kid, completely walled up but brimming with intensity has allowed Emersyn to slowly chip away at his wall, and we’re seeing a more emotionally expressive and open hearted man in every passing book. I love that he still has some of his bristles- he’s still a volatile landmine of surly energy just waiting to erupt, but that energy is mostly unleashed out of love and care. For Emersyn. For his brothers.

Emersyn continues to be a marvel- and I loved how Liam’s perspective of her positions us to see the warrior she’s become. She’s always been a survivor, but now she’s thriving more. Despite all she’s been through and sacrificed, she’s become more self-possessed, armed for the first time by an open heart and people who love her in a healthy and restorative way. Emotional safety isn’t something that ANY of these characters have reveled in much over the course of their traumatic lives, but as this crew gets deeper and deeper into the ISH, they find security and home in each other. It’s a beautiful juxtaposition- the worse things get, the more they go through, the more they rip open their past wounds and bleed them out on each other, the more they all heal, the more they find safety in each other. Heather contrasts the darkness of all they have to face and HAVE faced with the light they find in each other- it makes the growing relationships, the crew and each guy with Emersyn all the more restorative and meaningful. And it continues to bolster Emersyn’s strength and confidence to connect, to both lean on them and stand on her own. And, fortunately, Heather also gives us some light moments, and some humor, amidst all the heavy.

Heather continues to sparkle as a character writer. Truth be told, long series and expansive harems aren’t my favorite in general - plots meander and loser their way, filler suffocates momentum, and characters get lost in a huge harem. But Heather has so carefully meted out each characters’ journey, ensured each has so much depth and meaningful layers, and developed a chemistry between each fella and our heroine that feels vividly unique and mutually impactful…no one feels unnecessary and the plot strategically unfolds.Even if my favorite guy has been the same from the start- I licked him, he’s mine. Ut, iIt’s an extraordinary talent to balance this vast cast of leading characters amidst such a complicated plot- but she does it seamlessly.

Of course, we’re left with a insane cliffhanger that will have us all gasping for months while we wait for the penultimate installment. We get some answers, but we have all new questions to answer, new things to puzzle. And puzzling I am, but I know we’ve got lots of drama to go! Can’t wait to find out what’s in store for these vandals next.