When I requested this book from NetGalley, I had no idea it was Book 5 in a series. I'm going to guess it starts off where the last book left off 'cuz I truly have no idea why we're thrown into the middle of something. Technically, I don't mind being thrust in the middle of action but this author didn't do a good job setting this up for a standalone. Therefore, I had no emotional attachment to the characters by the time they were ready to be together or have a chance to ramp up into their story to care.
Even the writing and development seems hurried and lacks polish. The amateurish writing skills don't give the center point for our hero -- his father's sudden hospitalization and having to reveal his family legacy to Melissa -- the impact these sort of life events would typically achieve.