I finished, and it was page-turning fun, just the kind of silly yet absorbing distraction I needed at the time. And let me get it out of the way: They do. You know. It. Woo.

And that’s about all I have to say. I cannot deconstruct the author’s style. IMO, she’s a story teller, not an “author.” (Pronounced as Auuuu-thor, with a British accent, of course.) And she tells a story well. Even cutting her that slack, I got a little pissed off at the beginning of the fourth book, where her heavy handed exposition was driving me nuts. “So Vampire X — you know, the one who tried to kill me last year?” Or, “My friend, who had shocked me when I found out he was a werewolf?” Yes, I get it. Your publisher wants a first-time reader to be able to pick up the last book and follow along. Your publisher is pandering to me, and therefore, so are you. Shut up and let’s get on with the blood-sucking drama already.

Was it a satisfying conclusion? I suppose so. I didn’t really expect anything but an uncomplicated happy ending, so no surprises there. I know, SHOCKER! But I enjoyed burning my way through the books. They’re my equivalent of watching a marathon of Golden Girls on Lifetime, or re-watching all of the Sex and the City episodes. Are they surprising or challenging? No. But that there is some great entertainment.

I seriously hope that young girls are reading other things that DO challenge the mind a little. Though I know I have friends who still find her intimidating, check out Jane Austen. Seriously, they’re love stories, straight-up love stories. They just have a different language and culture in them.

No vampires, though. Bummer.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars – Vacation reading