Hard to rate this book. The h, Jenna, was likeable except for her lack of a backbone when it came to Royal (H). She stood up for herself from time to time. But what I did hate was Jenna's "guilt" and "bleeding heart" every time Royal so much as pouted... The plot had potential. And I'm glad there was no physical cheating and little emotional cheating. But the H was irredeemable. He never showed the traits of a "hero" or developed as a character (have never minded flawed characters, as long as they develop). Always felt like we were being TOLD he was a decent human being without ever seeing that ourselves.
Royal was a selfish, immature, moody SOB. He was MEAN. And in those moments of nastiness, he showed no care for the hurts he was inflicting on the h, no remorse or apologies. Throughout the entire book, he displayed such a lack of self-awareness (could not begin to understand the problems between them or see how he'd been treating the h). Royal never fights for Jenna or their marriage. After she kicks him out, he made demands, he argued, he agrees to give counseling a go but right from the beginning, he doesn't even give it a real shot. He was also very self-righteous. Basically, Royal came across as a very self-centered, self-absorbed little boy who whinged and threw tantrums when things didn't go his way. He wanted his cake and to eat it too. Ironic that this is one of the few books I've read where the H has consistently told the h that he loves her, because his words of love have never felt more empty.
Royal's defense of the OW was also a joke. Sorry, but if someone reenters even the peripheries of my life whom I know has hurt one of my loved ones before, my protective instincts would be screaming at me. Doesn't matter if they "appear" to have changed. I'd never hold a person's past against them if they become a better person. But I'd be extremely cautious about this person and their motives before letting them anywhere near my family. This is especially true when it comes to someone who has previously shown such viciousness, lack of respect, and a willingness to harm one I love. The OW was a person who'd come in between the H and h before. From their history alone, if Royal had truly loved Jenna, he would never have even risked putting the OW in a position to harm their relationship at all. Where was his protectiveness? Instead, he welcomes the OW with open arms, continually sticking to his tune that she's 'changed, means no harm, is just looking for friendship'. For me, that was an ultimate betrayal, just as bad as cheating.
If whatever was going on with the OW was simply friendship, why the late night calls and interruptions during family time? Why the sneakiness? He could not commit that time to his wife and children, but he could give it to his "friend" who meant nothing compared to his family? Twisted logic.
And finally, their reconciliation came out of nowhere. None of the issues between them were ever resolved. Not a single decent conversation between them - just fights and more fights. Things with the OW weren't even properly resolved. Royal makes some half-hearted comment that he doesn't really like the OW either at the hospital, and reiterates later that he told her to f*** off at the hospital. But really, he only told her to "beat it" and get out of the hospital so he could deal with his family first. He never told her to get out of his life. The MCs fought right up until the makeup sex towards the end of the book, never talk, and then somehow everything was right again because Jenna misses Royal too much, feels guilty, and lets him return home? That conversation at the graveside did not begin to cover the problems they had in their marriage. This reconciliation left all their problems to further rot their marriage in future.