Taheed and Rian were emotionally draining! These two took me through it with out really needing to. The love between them has been there for decades and yet they both find ways to sabotage what could be happiness! Shantaé making Taheed the second book in this series was brilliant because he definitely had the middle child characteristics. This book may have set my emotions on 100 but it read as a bridge from Emmanuel leading into Casei and it was exceptional just like book one.
I hate to say this, but I didn’t love Rian. She was an okay female, but I liked her more as just Bre’s best friend. Rian made decisions in her life that caused both her and Tah pain just as he did but ultimatums when she knew from jump what it was doesn’t fly with me. I can’t say I disagree with all of her decisions because Taheed was definitely feeling himself throughout their friendship/relationship.
Taheed was grimy and petty at times. Although his moves when it came to Rian were questionable (most of the time) I still found myself laughing at his audacity. The “I’m going to do what I please and you’re going to just deal with it” vibe he had was a little too close to entitlement in my eyes. This man had me wanting to fight him, kiss him, laugh at him and console him throughout this entire book.
All that being said they worked great together. Their connection was explosive. Shantaé is becoming one of my favorites because her books are so complex and there are always multiple things happening at once, but it all flows together perfectly. I can’t wait to experience Casei, I have a feeling the “man in charge” energy he is giving off will have him in the number one spot… quickly!