Joe Morelli vs Ranger

[quote=Visitor, (March 6, 2024)]Yes for sure. And her best lover![/quote] Definitely should be Ranger. Ever time Stephanie needs to be rescued Morelli relies on Ranger to be sure she’ll be ok. Ranger has totally made himself vulnerable by proposing to Stephanie - what has Morelli done? Sacrificed his pool table ! Lol Also Ranger should win by his sheer patience waiting for Stephanie- and for all who says Ranger treats her like a pet? Isn’t that called unconditional love - which is so hard to find in most marriages! 

I think that Stephanie is out of her league with Ranger.  He is much better at his job than she is; it would not be an equal partnership.  Plus, she would always be living on the edge.  The adrenaline rush she gets with him is good as an occasional thing; I don't think anyone could live with that 24/7 (except of course Ranger.)  Being with someone that exceptional and extreme, I think would start causing more self-doubt than she already has.  The many times she thinks to herself that he likes her around because she 'amuses him' - I agree that she seems like a pet to him at times, a pet that he has come to depend on to be there, and that he really doesn't want to lose.  The way she resisted him in Dirty Thirty because of her 'commitment' to Morelli probably made him realize that he had to get the advantage somehow, to lessen the threat.  What better way than to put her off balance with a marriage proposal? Also, with Ella managing his life, as she would probably come to manage Stephanie's (and Rex's) - what would there be left for her to do?  Ranger comes to her rescue and helps her out with cases, but I can't see him in true working partnership with her; she's just too risky to smooth running of operations as a whole.  I think that she would come to feel unnecessary in life.  Trapped in a golden cage.  Women have married before for safety [and sex]; it doesn't always work out so well. There also seem to be many unspoken mysteries in Ranger's life, especially in his past.  We don't know what kind of enemies he has made along the way; these things have a way of coming back to haunt one.  And as his official loved one, she could potentially become a target of some very bad people.  I don't think Stephanie would necessarily be that safe.  (Safety is, in the end, an illusion.) I can see Ranger with a highly competent international spy w/a sense of humor, actually - a better match, as  two professional equals.   I think Stephanie & Morelli are more evenly matched - cop and apprehension agent.  They both screw up at times, but somehow muddle through.  I also think Bob is a factor (almost like a child they have together.)  And Morelli did give his pool table to his brother in the last book.  I think that was a major shift for him, in a sense declaring his house no longer a hangout for the guys, but more a focus on a future together with her.  And I think he would know at this point that he's not going to dissuade her from what has by default come to be her chosen profession, as much as they might argue about it.  She might have to put this on hold if she had kids...but once they were in pre-school...!  (Plus, I can't envision her life without Lula and Connie.  They are a team; not always totally incompetent either.  And a major source of humor I'd hate to see lost.)   Just my random thoughts at this point; the next book, due out in November, could change everything.

How does Stephanie explain her engagement to Ranger

No Joe is her true love. She has been in love with her her whole life. 

Come on ladies go back and read the books. Some of you are making a big stink about Steph being with two guys, what about joe? Does he not work with his ex, disappears with her at weddings and is seen jumping from her bedroom window? He even hooked up with that woman that was hired to find the diamonds, fortune and glory.   I own every plum book even the run offs with diesel. I reread them always and I truly believe if Joe wasn't around, Steph would be with ranger. Most important if ranger wasn't around Steph would have died (alot).

I'm team polyamory- frankly it's a damn shame she can't have both in an ethical non monogamous relationship.  

Ranger is private but he's actually the safer,more mature ,professional, emotionally healthy,and family oriented of the two,. Joe is a mommas boy and will expect a wife to mommy him. No thank you. Its time for Stephanie to grow up....Team Ranger 

I hope she marries Ranger. He quietly supports all her crazy decisions and doesn’t try to shut her down. Morelli is ok but he doesn’t lift her up in her career and doesn’t ever stand up for her against his Grandma Bella, constantly shaming her and attempting to curse her. They would dominate and control her house if she married Morelli. Ranger comes from a large Hispanic family and there are a lot of stories to explore on that side, He also knows what he’s getting into and has no objection to her family.  Steph needs that mix of calm and crazy, and Ranger needs the fun and unpredictable to lighten him up.  Ranger all the way

I second that Ranger all The way, but please don't end the series.

Couple days to go can't wait

Ranger. He supports her, aids her without putting her down, always puts her first. He may have his issues but he is settling down and it’s time they end up together. Totally agree it would make for a great continuation of the series as a duo in business. Joe may be growing up but will never be okay with her job or choices. He says he loves her but only ever really talks sex and agreed that even his proposal was about him and his wants. Ranger has changed. And he isn’t going to give up. Stephanie may choose Morelli bc he is the easy safe choice- but they won’t be able to live together long, they disagree too much and argue. She would last longer with Ranger. Though after this last decision of hers to not make a decision and screw up w both of them….. honestly I don’t like her as a person/character anymore and might just go read fanfiction instead.

Ok so she married joe,it's cool at least it didn't end.Plum forever

I totally agree with you. I'm disappointed she married Morelli. I like him but I don't think he supports her. 

I think Ranger should have been the one she married.  Morelli is often disrespectful to her and talks about how stupid she is in a sense.  When she was working with Ranger, he actually treated her as an equal.  I always thought the final book should have two different endings, one with Morelli and one with Ranger.  Ranger is her protector, he always finds her when she's missing and bugs her car and other devices to track her for safety.  There could have been a series done on her and Ranger.  Ranger does have a daughter and he see's her, it's not like he doesn't care about family and kids.  I just think Joe is boring and doesn't have much to offer fans or Stephanie.  I was disappointed in them getting married.  It might be the last the of the series I read.