This series is one of my Roman Empires. I am heartbroken that I don't care for any of this author's other work because I like this series so much. Mounts Bay is such a well built setting. The Twelve are such a rich combo of ally and enemy. The author is so good at worldbuilding that you can tell she also writes fantasy. The spicy scenes are kind of just okay for me honestly, but the intensity of their relationships is what gets me. The idea of giving up not one but *ten* "blood soaked favor diamonds" for one of the guys you're into is so good I definitely kick my feet every time I read or listen to this series. The only nit I have is the Britishisms that occur throughout, which are out of place as the series explicitly takes place in California. It's enough to break immersion a time or two, but not enough to put the book down.