Back to this topic again. I have made many lengthy posts on this though I usually focus on the guys since a lot of fans mistakenly see them as victims, most particularly Erik.
First off, Erik was never much of a boyfriend to begin with. I caught this pretty quickly because I have a good enough memory that I remember he dated Aphrodite before she became the awesome character she is now. I knew he and Zoey would implode eventually, I was just surprised that she was the one that screwed it up, not him (though he did take it pretty poorly when she found out she cheated on him).
Zoey convinced herself that his treatment of her was what she well deserved, but in my opinion that didn't make it right. He was a jerk, and whatever terrible thing Zoey did to him, it didn't give him the right to be an arse. I was skeptical when they "made up" because I knew that as Zoey wanted to put the whole mess behind her and get to the way things were, I knew Erik couldn't put it behind him.
- Spoiler:
And then she dumped him. By far, the smartest thing she ever did. Getting back with him was an mistake.
Also don't get me started on Heath. I can go on for several paragraphs about how his very presence is hazardous to Zoey's well being, most especially her sanity. However, I get him and her on this. They have history and it isn't something either of them could walk away from so easily.
- Spoiler:
I was overjoyed to see him gone. He was by far the most disruptive and idiotic character of the series and more a threat to Zoey than Kalona and Neferet combined. Good riddens.
Kalona doesn't count in this discussion. I'm sure you have figured out by now that he has a certain power of allure over women. Also you'll discover later that he shares a unique connection with Zoey's soul, that is not her fault nor was she prepared for it. Don't worry. If you decide to finish Tempted you'll see how Zoey sees Kalona for what he truly is.
Blake manipulated Zoey. Sadly that happens in real life too and I have seen posts from a few readers who thought the guy was the real deal. I saw right through him, of course. Probably because I am a guy so I didn't buy in to his crap. I can only see Zoey as the victim of that scenario. She was an idiot, of course, but even adults can be stupid sometimes.
Stark is the only one on the list I'm not so sure about. Sure, we see him attempt rape in
Hunted but he was in a dark place and Zoey had let him down by allowing Neferet to get to him first. It was not unlike what was going on with Stevie Rae in Betrayed and Chosen, just that Stark had more self-control than she did. I don't know how far you got through Hunted but with Zoey's guidance he pulls himself out of it.
- Spoiler:
As for their relationship Stark has Zoey's best interests at heart. For instance, if Zoey needs blood to keep her strength up he'll go and get Heath (only thing he was ever good at). He may not like it but he deals for Zoey's sake. He's actually the best candidate on the list as far as I can tell.
As for Becca... Well, let's put it this way, she is probably more deserving of the criticsm you are giving Zoey.
And finally Zoey herself. I don't normally focus on her. I can get into the guys' heads all too easy but I get her less. I don't think she is a bad person. A bad girlfriend, definitely but I think she's just finding out who she is and how she fits in the world. She is also dealing with a great deal of pressure, which might be why she feels the need to find comfort in someone else's arms when she can. Or maybe she is just simply stupid when it comes to guys. All this either suggests that she should wait until she saves the world to deal with it or until she finds out who she is and what she wants of her significant other. Or it means she's actually gay and doesn't know it yet.
