Jax needs control since he lacked it growing up, but some things he just can't control which makes him anxious and frustrated. He gets under her skin and  makes her lose control and her mind at times. Anytime he is near, he makes her want to branch out and be a bit wild. And he encourages her to find herself, be brave, stand up for what she wants, and be herself. But she challenges him as well and pushes to find out his secrets. 

I gotta say that I loved Jax especially towards the end of Rival. but then in the beginning of this one I was a bit disappointed because he could really be an ass. And I was never that fond of K.C. before due to some of her previous actions in other books. So I was worried at first that I was not going to connect with them. But it did not take long to see each of their fears, vulnerabilities, and battles scars. And their chemistry and reaction to the other was intense and volatile. They challenged and pushed each other sometimes to their extreme and often found themselves scaring the other one off or making them mad. But underneath it all, they both just wanted to belong to someone, be understood and be loved for who they really were instead of who people expected them to be. They both had to fight to face the people and self doubts that made them feel not worthy enough and truly accept the people that did love them. 

There is tons of sexual tension, advance and retreat, and angst. But these two have truly been circling around each other for three years and now that they are back in the same vicinity, it is finally unavoidable.  Their chemistry is off the charts.

K.C.'s journey was very different than I expected. We thought we knew the put together, rule follower, but did not really know what was under her impenetrable facade.  Her history was surprising and sad. She really needed to find out who she was and who she wanted to be. She had not truly been living for herself in a long time and had become apathetic. But Jax was determined to help her find her spark and strength again. But it involved facing her own demons and bringing down her walls. 

Penelope Douglas does an amazing job drawing you into these complicated relationships with  multi-faceted characters and in depth stories. This one brings back all of our old friends: Tate and Jared, Fallon and Madoc, and their parents. I love the rapport that these characters share. We also spend time with K.C.'s cousin Shane, and unfortunately K.C.'s ex Liam is back as well. This installment was as antagonistic, funny, feisty, passionate, and tense as the other books in the series. But I think they both had more emotional and traumatic pasts making it deeper and more heart wrenching. My heart broke for both Jax and K.C. and what they had to overcome and was in suspended animation as they tried to navigate all of the challenges they were still facing in their lives while also trying to build and keep their fragile bond alive. It was a painful journey with many pitfalls. They struggled so much, but I really came to like both of the characters individually and together. It does give us a resolved ending, but I still look forward to more with these characters in the next book in the series since I am sure we will see more with them. The next book is Aflame and is a continuation of Tate and Jared's story and wrap up the Fall Away series. 

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.