It's dated itself in such a way that it's come around to almost comical. Flip phones, physical in and out boxes, hand editing, and the burgeoning internet thread this with early 00's gravitas.

Some plot devices are also reminiscent of prior ages of romance novels, instalust and instalove, the reliance on violence (especially against women), as well as some instances of transphobia, also place it squarely in a "before we knew better" time (because I have to believe, like most romance authors, J.R. Ward doesn't hold those views anymore and would do better now).

I will absolutely go back to this series and see these alphaholes meet their romantic demises destinies.