I think after about book 5 in this series, there was a noticeable decrease in quality, although the stories were still readable. This is one of the better ones that came later in the series. I didn't mind Kay's rumination over Benton- seemed entirely natural, and I didn't mind the fling she had at the end of the book, although I found it hard to believe her depth of feelings over the fling. Very abrupt ending, as if the author suddenly sickened of the story, but I will keep reading the series.