#elusive relations

[sbbarnes]

With thanks to Saxon James, Eden Finley, Nicky James, KJ Charles and Natasha Pulley for the excellent reading material!

[cattatonically]

Elusive Relations - Nicky James (Valor & Doyle, book 2)

Synopsis

Life was easier when rival detectives, Quaid and Aslan, kept to their own side of the building. They could forget that one glorious night they shared and move on.

But when Aslan is called to a homicide and discovers one of the victims has a personal history with Quaid, he knows a confrontation is inevitable.

When news about the case spreads, Quaid can’t help but get involved. He wants answers, if not for himself, then for the families of the victims.

Joining ranks with Aslan and his partner, Quaid uncovers more than he bargained for. Too many secrets and lies. This case is dangerously personal.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

Plus, the more time he spends with Aslan, the harder it is for Quaid to ignore the attraction they share.

Playboy Aslan, who doesn’t believe in repeats, can’t seem to stop flirting and bantering with the grumpy MPU detective, and his rules go out the window as they’re drawn deeper into the case.

But what happens when one more night turns to two, then two turns to three?

Does Quaid want to risk his heart again?

Has Aslan developed an emotion?

Can they put a stop to their fun and walk away?

But the real question is, do they want to?

My Thoughts

Quaid has finally rid himself of his lying, cheating, scumbag ex-boyfriend. But when said ex viciously attacked, and the man he was with is murdered, Quaid knows he has to assist the homicide division with the case. Lucky for him, Aslan has been assigned the case, along with his work partner, Torin Fox.

The feud between their departments is stronger than ever. Quaid and Aslan haven’t seen each other since their steamy night at the end of their last case. And of course, they’re each in complete denial about their feelings for each other. Aslan is determined he doesn’t do repeats, and Quaid can’t afford to let his walls, down, and let anyone else in.

But yet again, they prove how well they work together. They’re in sync in all the right places, yet opposite in just the right ways, too, much to Torin’s chagrin. And the deeper they get into the case, they more they have to rely on each other – all three of them – to get to the bottom of the attack, and the motive behind it.

To say this book goes to a dark place is putting it lightly. There were moments that absolutely made my skin crawl. The more this series progresses, the more intense the cases gets, it seems. The books come with some pretty hefty trigger warnings on the author’s website, and I highly suggest those be checked prior to reading. Especially knowing where the next book is going, thanks to one hell of a cliffhanger.

Quaid and Aslan are headed towards new territory in their relationship, and Quaid is opening up a decades old box of mystery and trauma. I’m not entirely sure what I’m preparing for, but I’m certainly making sure I’m prepared for almost anything.