I adored...worshipped...loved the Lymond series. I really tried hard to like the Nicholas books, but gave up. I bought them all, but never really finished any after the first one. I never really understood why, but you put your finger right on it: But more than that, these books don't have a holding center

I found I could put on of these books down and it would be months before I would pick it up again. A new Lymond meant a night without sleep!