Cash Pays by Cordelia Kingbridge - Review

This review includes spoilers up the wazoo for Cash Plays, the 3rd book in the Seven of Spades series by Cordelia Kingsbridge. Tread carefully, my friends.

This book did something I thought would be impossible after the first two SOS books – it made me fall even further in love with Levi and Dominic, investing me in their growth as characters beyond what I could have ever expected. I'm not sure if I can express clearly enough how the dichotomies in their characterization ring so true to me; a Levi who revels in bloodlust while blushing shyly at Dominic's words of love, or Dominic my sweet teddy bear becoming selfishly and cruelly manipulative in the grips of his addiction. Real people, y'all –they are complicated, fucked up and maladaptive, and Cordelia brings this home in the best if not painless ways possible.

I'd like to point out as someone who has both experienced and struggled with addiction how accurate Dominic's portrayal is. The level of denial Cordelia describes is so incredibly true to life, and is a master class for writers in how to show and not tell.

This series is brilliant and hits all of my buttons for well-written romantic suspense with amazing characterization and plotty goodness.

ALSO I'M NOW TOTALLY CONFUSED AS TO WHO THE SEVEN OF SPADES IS CORDELIA THANKS FOR THAT