I don't think I've read the previous two books in this series, but it didn't seem to matter. I liked the two main characters individually. I didn't like the often-used-in-this-genre plot points of 1) he/she is a client so I can't fall in love with him/her and 2) I love him/her but I'm afraid of getting hurt if I get emotionally close so I'll just walk away. Having that happen so often throughout the story really turned me off.

Both Jude and Lacey have pasts that are not part of this book--I'm not sure if any of Jude's was in a previous book in the series or not, since as I said, I haven't read those. We know he was in an accident that hurt his legs but no details. Lacey's history is visited a bit more as the book goes on, but even that isn't really spelled out in great detail. ( )