Critics and readers from Relentless Romance and GoodBadAndUnread praise Towle for her "brilliant storytelling" and "addictive" prose. While the book is noted for its "scorching hot" romance, it is equally recognized for its somber, tear-jerking moments regarding loss and addiction. Some readers have noted the author's British influence occasionally peeking through the American setting, but generally find the character development—particularly Ares' "grovel"—to be highly satisfying.
Reviewers highlight Arianna as a strong, non-doormat heroine. Her refusal to hide from her mistakes or make excuses for her past is the catalyst for Ares eventually seeing the "real Ari".
The central tension lies in Ares' refusal to see past Arianna’s "drunk" label, fueled by his own childhood trauma. The narrative tracks his journey from being a "mean" antagonist to learning that people are not defined solely by their lowest moments.
The story follows the collision of two characters bound by their shared history with alcoholism, though from opposite perspectives: