I know! My issues with the first quarter of the book meant that this was probably never going to be more than a 3-star read, but that ending just killed me. McCoy managed to make a difficult-to-like main character even more unlikeable. :(
I've spent the past day doubting my feelings for Queen of Roses, just because this was such a difference. I think, if someone had given both these books to me with the author's name stripped off, I wouldn't have been able to tell they're by the same person. Both have really vivid characters, and both have plots that could use some tightening and a better focus, but the main characters were complete opposites and the rhythm of the writing felt completely different. Which I suppose is impressive, but ugh. I'm crossing my fingers that Book 2 will make everything better somehow.
And you liked her other book so much.