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SERIES REVIEW: Enticed by the Enemy, Seduced by a Sinner, & Kissed by a Killer (The Morelli Family Books 3-5) by Leighton Greene
The Morelli Family: Enticed by the Enemy – Leighton Greene
He’s an FBI profiler who’s half my age. Contact between us is forbidden. But I can’t stay away from him.
As the Morelli Underboss, I’m the Family problem-solver. So when a task force blames the Morellis for a series of murders in Central Park, it’s up to me to restore our reputation.
But Fate puts me on a collision-course with an agent on the very task force dedicated to bringing down my Family…
And we end up on the run together.
My heart has been ice-cold for decades, but something about him sets my blood on fire.
It would be crazy of me to trust a Fed. But he claims he wants to prove my innocence. That the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
We each want to solve this case for different reasons, but we’ll both end up dead if he can’t follow my lead.
So to make him behave, I’ll use every weapon I have—including my body.
But why do I feel like I’m the one losing control?
Enticed by the Enemy is a M/M mafia romance set in the world of the Morelli Crime Family. It can be read as a standalone, but it’s even more fun to read the series in order. Characters and events from previous books are referenced.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Enemy Mind
Artist: Priest
Album: Samurai
The Morelli Family: Seduced by a Sinner – Leighton Greene
He’s innocent. He’s chaste. He’s promised to God.
And he’s more temptation than I can handle.I’m supposed to guard the Boss’s husband, but I just can’t keep my eyes off his best friend, Aidan O’Leary.
Watching him.
Wanting him.
Knowing I can never have him.
Aidan is pure in body and soul. He’s about to be ordained as a priest. Me? I’m going to burn for the things I’ve done. And I can’t stop thinking about all the sinful things I want to do to him.
But when there’s an attack on Aidan’s life, I’m reassigned to protect him, and we grow closer than ever.
Someone wants Aidan dead. It’s my job to deliver him safely to the Church to take his vows, although I’d rather have him as my own.
I’ve sworn to protect him until I can give him away to God. But it’s getting harder and harder to let him go without a fight.
And if I can’t focus on the job, how can I keep Aidan safe when our enemies are closing in?
***
Seduced by a Sinner is best enjoyed as part of the Morelli Family mafia romance series. Characters and events from previous books are referenced.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Sin So Sweet
Artist: Walter Zeiders
Album:
The Morelli Family: Kissed by a Killer – Leighton Greene
It’s my job to protect the Morelli men when the law is after them. But now their most dangerous Capo has killed to protect me.
My law firm has two unbreakable rules.
1. Never get personally involved with a client.
Nick Fontana was only ever supposed to be a booty call, but he’s had me cross-examining my heart since we started hooking up.
2. Never let the Morellis do you a favor.
I can’t stop thinking about his talented hands on my body…but those hands just took the wrong life to save mine.
I helped Nick cover up what he did, because if anyone finds out, it would start a Mob War that could destroy us all.
But someone knows our deadly secret.
I’ve kept my mouth shut. So can I really trust the killer I’ve been kissing?
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Kiss/Kill
Artist: Michelle
Album:
The Morelli Family Books 3 to 5 feature Luca Di’Amato’s inner circle and the men who came into their lives, causing chaos, mayhem, and heat.
Enticed by the Enemy stars Angelo Messina, the second in command. Angelo is a well-known and well-liked personality in New York, so close-lipped and slippery that he even had lunch with the detective who claimed Angelo was his white whale. Yet the detective still got nothing on him.
Special Agent Baxter Flynn is a forensic psychologist who is just that bit obsessed with Angelo, having even done his master’s thesis on the man. The SA is so spectacularly green that he dropped his gun while trying to stalk Angelo Messina when somebody started shooting, and he and Angelo had to run away.
Turns out a cop was shot, and the bullets are from Baxter’s Bureau-issued gun. The detective Angelo had lunch with was also found dead. Bold if rash, Baxter barged into Angelo’s apartment and clumsily proposed they work together to find the shooter who was after Angelo and/or Baxter. And clear their names.
Angelo has always been a solid guy, the rock the Morelli dons have relied on. He’s a capable, level-headed mobster who loved the late Tino Morelli and now has nothing but respect and support for the new don Luca. He’s also gorgeous. Even the detective spoke with envy, saying Angelo’s got it easy with a face like that. In short, Angelo’s the complete package and made the book worth reading.
Baxter, on the other hand, had me wondering how he passed Quantico. Not because he’s a rookie, I mean, we’re all beginners at some point. But the man was so ridiculously TSTL and inept, I wasn’t at all surprised he got framed for murder. His investigative skills were laughable, his decisions were hopelessly naive, and this case of opposites attract didn’t work in his character’s favor.
The book ended in an HFN and will be picked up in Vow of the Vigilante, where, hopefully, Baxter redeems himself.
Seduced by a Sinner stars Matteo Vitale, Finch’s bodyguard, who’s been quietly eyeing Finch’s best friend, the novice, Aidan O’Leary, in the background.
One day, a man threatened Aidan with a knife, and Teo stepped in to save the novice. Then he took Aidan to the Morelli home to keep him safe. However, Aidan’s upcoming ordination is fast approaching, and they have to get to Boston with Finch and Luca in tow.
Things became even more chaotic when an Irish terrorist group started threatening Finch’s sister, Tara Donovan, now head of the Donovan family, and whose house the Morellis are staying in Boston.
Teo’s another capable Morelli and the best bodyguard the don trusts with his husband’s life. Teo is aware he’s got blood on his hands, not the man for somebody as innocent as Aidan. He’s got nothing but awe and affection for Ai.
Aidan is an openly gay man about to become a priest. When he became romantically involved with Teo, he did angst, but not overly so. He was generally content and happy; the angstying came later, but unlike most religious figures in MM romance, he was not a miserable character to read about.
I loved how Teo let Aidan experience his firsts with consent, gentle reassurances, and positive views on sexuality and Aidan’s religious beliefs. This books doesn’t condemn religion but reconciles it with all forms of love.
With some guidance from his mom and a mentor, he was able to make peace with himself and his relationship with God and Teo. I loved reading their story because their romance has a wholesome and pure quality to it, in contrast with the Irish business that bulldozed its way into their lives.
The book ended with an HEA for the couple and good things for Teo, Morelli-wise, when he stepped up against the Irish terrorists.
Kissed by a Killer stars Nick Fontana, a capo, and rumored to be the future caporegime of the Morellis. He’s occasional fuck buddies with Carlo Bianchi, the Morelli lawyer, a forbidden affair because Carlo’s father, doesn’t want his lawyers fraternizing with the mobsters.
The story opens with a wedding where all five Families are attending. On the night of the wedding, the groom snuck into Carlo’s room and assaulted him. Nick, who had just come from Carlo’s room, saw him and snapped his neck. They had to quickly make the body disappear.
The groom is a scion of the Guiliano Family, and soon everyone was looking for the missing groom. Nick and Carlo were conflicted whether to tell Luca, and alliances would break if they don’t do something about it soon. With the threat of the Irish terrorists hanging over New York, they can’t afford to lose allies.
Nick is Luca’s closest friend, the two rising in ranks together. He’s one of the most trusted men in Luca’s circle, so his not coming clean right away and later dragging his feet for some reason or other really added to the tension and anticipation, a.k.a. dread of when Luca will eventually find out.
Carlo is the heir to the Bianchi firm, which has an exclusive contract with the Morellis. He’s known to be extremely good at keeping the men out of jail. Objectively, I could see that Carlo can be unlikable. He tends to run his mouth and push buttons. Even Nick was annoyed with him several times, as much as he’s fond of the difficult man.
I don’t actively dislike Carlo; he’s just not somebody I would cast as a love interest. Fortunately, he meshes well with Nick, their antagonistic dynamics adding spice to their story. And he totally redeemed himself when he did his big lawyer speech to save Nick’s life. I was actually impressed! So now I see why Luca keeps him on a retainer.
Plot-wise, it was all over the place. There were many overarching threads that were continued here, plus the forbidden romance and the secrets. And for men of their caliber, Nick and Carlo weren’t making the smartest decisions. The ending was bittersweet and an HFN, but I loved that it gave us hope for Luca and Nick’s friendship.
Overall, Morelli men are making their marks and winning hearts.
The Morelli Family continues with Devoted to the Don. The books must be read in order.
Married To The Mobster introduces us to delightfully bratty Finch Donovan and besotted but won’t admit it, Luca Di’Amato.
Beloved By The Boss is Luca and Finch making their marriage work and taking over New York
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PROMO BLITZ: All Twisted Up by Patricia Logan
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REVIEW: His Reluctant Savior by Courtney W. Dixon
The District: His Reluctant Savior – Courtney W. Dixon
PLEASE READ THE BLURB AND WARNINGS IF YOU’RE SENSITIVE TO TRIGGERS! And please, please be careful of spoilers and giving away endings of books. Use spoiler tags.
I have a second chance to right wrongs, even if it means I’ll lose my family and life.
Sid Virgil
FBI analyst Dalton Reed’s name is on my hit list, but I know I won’t do it. Though I haven’t seen Dalton in twenty-seven years, we have a history together. He saved my life many years ago, and he doesn’t even realize it. Now, it’s my turn to save him and his young son. Saving Dalton puts my life at risk with my assassin family, but I owe it to him, and I owe it to myself.
Dalton Reed
Sid, goddamn, Virgil. I haven’t seen him in twenty-seven years, and I now find him standing between me and my escape. He insists he wants to help me, but I know he was sent to kill me. I don’t trust him. He was a bastard to me growing up as a teen, and I’m sure he’s a bastard now. He’s a killer. But I’m being hunted, and I have no choice but to let Sid help. My son is all that matters.
Can these two men see beyond their past to save Dalton before it’s too late? Can Sid’s family forgive him for his betrayal?
Reading in order will add more pleasure to the reading experience since some of the books end in a series cliffhanger. But they can technically be read as standalones.
Criminal Activity, Loss of Parents (off page), Sexual Assault (on page) of a Minor, Drugging Minors, SA by a Family Member, PTSD, Loss of Spouse, Torture, Murder, Murder of a Family Member, Organized Crime, Pedophilia, Forced Suicide, Mentions of Child Sex Trafficking (side character), Alcohol Consumption, Violence, Explicit Language, Sex.
Last we know of Sid Virgil, in the cliffhanger of The District Book 2, His Bane, he went rogue and betrayed his found family of queer assassins. Sully was raging to skin him alive, with Malik barely able to hold on to his beloved psychopath’s leash.
His Reluctant Savior follows Sid and single dad/FBI agent Dalton Reed as they dodge hitmen, The District boys, and fellow feds. There’s a hit on Dalton’s head after he submitted crucial evidence against the Speaker of the House, only to find out his boss was the Speaker’s friend.
But why would Sid risk everything, even his family and the trust they built for years, for a fed?
Like the rest of the series, Sid’s backstory is dark and tragic, suffering sexual abuse from his uncle since he was very young. It’s not as graphic or disturbing as Book 1, His Death Bringer, but do heed the TWs.
During high school, Sid was a moody troublemaker and treated Dalton, the star quarterback and all-around sweetheart, terribly, even though he was really crushing hard on the golden boy. A fateful night with Dalton at a party changed everything for Sid, though they never saw each other again after that. He never forgot what Dalton did for him.
When adult Sid and Dalton met again, there were sparks between them that quickly ignited into a full-blown inferno. I love the contrast in their personalities: Sid is the bad boy, always making jokes even in life-or-death situations, while Dalton is the concerned dad type—an overthinking boy scout who prefers to do everything by the book.
Trust is key to survival, with Dalton knowing Sid is a killer hired to kill him, and not fully understanding why the man is helping him, but having no choice with his son’s life on the line and bad guys hot on their heels. Also, not trusting Sid 100% didn’t stop Dalt from eagerly jumping into bed with Sid.
The best part is Easton, Sid’s 17-year-old protege and sociopath, who’s obsessively attached to Sid, the father figure in his life. East helped save their asses, and I loved his relationship with Owen, Dalton’s 5-year-old son. The birthday scene was adorable, and it made me eager for Easton’s book.
Meeting the family was also my favorite part. Sid bringing his Boy Scout to The District HQ, a.k.a. throwing him to the wolves, was hilarious and as tense as wild animals circling each other. Dalton might be by the book, but I loved how he shook things up in The District. There were shocking but fitting additions to the family. It’s also a fantastic resolution to their situation.
The story was intriguing, and I loved the connections between Sid and Dalton across past and present. However, I felt it lacked the oomph of Books 1 and 2. The ending scene was unfortunately anticlimactic, although it provided the best solution to protect Dalton and Owen.
Overall, His Reluctant Savior is a story of second chances, trust, and finding the good in a person. It’s a suspenseful chase, a steamy reunion, and an intense shake-up of a crazy family of killers who will always have each other’s backs, no matter what.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Good In Me
Artist: Andy Grammar
Album: Monster (Deluxe)P.S.
The District is best read in order.
His Death Bringer brought together the sweet and innocent with the dark and deadly.
His Bane is a clash of wills, power, and control between a feral psychopath and his closeted mentor.
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SERIES REVIEW: Mobsters + Billionaires Books 3 & 4: Attraction & Distraction by Kelly Fox
Mobsters + Billionaires: Attraction – Kelly Fox
I run a high-end escort service. And I’m in love with a virgin. It doesn’t make any sense, this attraction between us. I’m a violent Mafia Don, and Ford is a nervous, perfectly bow-tied, sexily bespectacled money nerd.
But he’s had my heart the first night I laid eyes on him, and while he keeps me at arm’s length, he’s never left my orbit. He’s as bound to me as I am to him.
Hell, I’m becoming a better man because of him.
I’ll be as patient as I need to be to win him over. The one thing I’m not willing to do, however, is let the man who put the fear in his eyes get away with it.
I don’t care how powerful or wealthy he is—I will tear down the world to make Ford feel safe enough to love me.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: I Dare You
Artist: The XX
Album: I See You
Mobsters + Billionaires: Distraction – Kelly Fox
An MM Murder Swoon Romance
From USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Fox comes a uniquely unhinged Mafia romance.
Look, no one’s ever accused me of being sane, y’know? So when I say that I am crazy over this RICO agent, know that I mean business.
Sure, I’m responsible for getting him fired from the job he’s wanted his whole life, but his grandfather just died and left him 13.1 billion dollars. Dude deserves a break, is all I’m saying. And yeah, I’m a violent mobster with a savior complex, but that shouldn’t get in the way of our epic love story.
Besides, a little gunplay in the bedroom is good for the soul.
Distraction is a Mafia romance that features a frustrated RICO agent-slash-reluctant billionaire, a delightfully deranged mob enforcer with questionable boundaries, and a simple takedown that ends up a little…explosive.
As with all of my morally gray do-gooder romances, there are no cliffhangers, and the HEA is guaranteed.
Rating:
5 Stars – absolutely perfectSoundtrack: I See You
Artist: The Horrors
Album: Luminous
Mobsters+Billionaires by Kelly Fox continues with my two most awaited books in the series.
The billionaire contingent are Rand Wolfe, star of Extradition, Mads Legari, star of Protection, and Ford Bailey, financial genius and fashion icon.
The mobsters are Luca Stefano, gentleman mobster, Anthony Edgerton, Mads’s fiance, Joe Portelli, Rand’s husband, and Hopper, the Stefano enforcer.
The plot involves action, explosions, and a body count but is generally romance-centric. Adding to the chaos are recurring characters Anders and his husband Omar from the Wrecked: Guardian series, Olga, the Ukrainian spec ops, and her wife Ryder, the goth hacker.
Luca and Ford have been circling each other ever since Luca organized Wednesday night poker. They were ridiculously cute and were probably already in love even before they started attending galas together.
Attraction is Luca and Ford taking baby steps, but always moving forward in their relationship. Luca owns an escort service and is known to sample the goods. This makes Ford hesitate because, at the ripe old age of 30, he’s still a virgin.
Major points to the author for handling Ford’s situation respectfully and positively. Ford’s virginity was taken against him in the past. Add to that an attempted sexual assault by a person he knew, and you could understand why the usually confident Ford is anxious.
I loved how everyone, especially Luca, supported Ford, always making him feel comfortable and reminding him that if they finally became intimate, it would be on Ford’s terms. The story painted Luca with a classic Hollywood leading man charm, and boy, does he ooze that Italian Montgomery Clift vibe. The way he courted his man! He’s so sweet and patient with Ford!
On the flip side, it’s cheesy and a bit annoying how everyone, the billionaires in particular, gossiped like mahjong aunties, trying to squeeze the juiciest details from Ford. But Mads’s OTT dance reactions were funny.
I also found the comedic timing was somewhat off when Luca and Ford were talking. Luca would say the swooniest things, then Ford would try to lighten it by saying something funny. Maybe it was because of the narration, but their dialogue didn’t seem to flow well together
One of my favorite parts is the appearance of Liam Hughes, the RICO agent Hopper stalks. The plot sets Liam even more firmly in the world of the Stefanos and their billionaires. Just like Ford and Luca, we have been teased with Hopper and the object of his obsession, Liam, who was initially stalking Hopper, then Hop reversed-stalk him.
Liam became a reluctant billionaire after inheriting billions from his grandfather. His death wrecked Liam and he was grieving so hard, he had Hopper worried. Hop tried to help but seemed to make things worse. He’s not giving up though.
Distraction is Liam finally seeing Hopper. And what a sight it is! Hopper is complex as he is vivid, as deadly as he is gentle. He is the best character in the series. Hopper is everything!
In the previous books, Luca and Anthony consistently went out of their way to help the RICO agent in various capacities. When Liam questioned their motivations, either Luca or Anthony would respond, “It would break Hopper’s heart if something happened to his favorite RICO agent.” This sentiment always resonates with me because it highlights just how deeply Luca and Anthony care for their brother.
Here, we learn why Luca and Anthony is so protective of their Hopper.
Hopper is the most dangerous enforcer for the Stefano family. A serial killer who started when still a teen, he’s wily and cunning and knows a hundred different ways to dispose of dead bodies. He also has the uncanny ability to appear out of nowhere, his intimidating presence frequently scaring away threats from Luca or those he considers family.
Hopper is surprisingly vulnerable. He feels things too deeply. He has ADHD and FASD, and a gutwrenching childhood left him with trauma and a severe case of claustrophobia. He’s triggered whenever somebody mentions he’s a psychopath or his birth name that he associates with terrible memories.
Hopper is also a total sweetheart. He loves with all his heart and Liam is his first love. He’s shy, adorably blushy, and endearingly childlike, whose delight at seeing his favorite animals or spotting his favorite RICO agent is pure and contagious. His golden retriever energy gives me life. He’s loyal and protective of his family.
He’s never malicious, killing only bad guys, especially those who prey on sex workers. And he is incredibly artistic. He shares his creations only with those he trusts.
Among the couples in the series, Hopper and Liam’s journey from opposing sides, one-sided infatuation to mutual love, was perhaps the hardest won, the swooniest, and the most satisfying. Their chemistry has always been fantastic, and they were even more explosive and hella kinky! Their book was an emotional roller-coaster, breaking your heart into pieces, putting it back together again, then making it soar,
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I’m sorry it took me so long to see you, Hop.”
“But you see me now?” he asks, his vulnerability wrapping itself around my heart.
“I do, Hop. Worse,” I say, chuckling as I nibble his ear. “I can’t unsee you. And I don’t want to.”The shift in Liam’s perspective and his growing feelings for Hopper was a joy to witness! It took a while but Liam completely won me over at the end. I loved how he allowed Hopper be himself and understood him at a soul-deep level. He gave Hopper the world!
A romance between a federal agent and a serial killer is a recipe for disaster. Hopper and Liam shouldn’t have worked together. But they did, and they were unstoppable!
Overall, Mobsters+Billionaires is about morally grey love interests, ethical billionaires, and bad guys getting their comeuppance. Packed full of found family magic, hurt comfort goodness, and intense touch-him-and-die vibes to tickle you pink!
P.S.
Mobsters+Billionaires should be read in order. Witness a conservative billionaire get kinky with a Brooklyn boy in Extradition. Be charmed by a sunshiney billionaire and his serious bodyguard in Protection.
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REVIEW: Never Say Never by Brea Alepou & Skyler Snow
Vitale Brothers: Never Say Never – Brea Alepou & Skyler Snow
I’d do anything for my family. Even go undercover and devote my life to the FBI so they can continue to thrive. Everything I do is for the Vitale name. I just have to focus, complete my job, divert attention and stay out of trouble.
But trouble finds me.
Not just me, but York Washington. He’s my boss, but more than that he’s my friend. When he and his daughters are thrown into danger I have no choice but to step into the light. Finally, I get to go back home.
But home is a strange hellscape I no longer understand.
While a war wages on, I’m caught between who I am and who I was with a man I’ve betrayed. There’s no happily ever after for me.
The fourth book in the Vitale brother series. Each book can be read as a standalone but best enjoyed read in order. HEA guaranteed.
The Vitale Brothers is an all-time favorite series, and each brother is memorable in his own way. I thought this would be a trilogy, so learning Gin has a twin in the previous book, Say I Do, made my jaw drop.
Never Say Never finally unveiled Gianpaolo Vitale. Going undercover in the FBI for his family as Paul Gallow, he keeps tabs on cases and passes information to Benito, the only brother who knows about his mission. Paul is known as a man whore in his department, dating coworkers left and right and getting in trouble with HR.
But the man Paul is really crushing hard on is his boss, York Washington, an Idriss Elba of a hunk who’s good at his job and keeps his personal life private. And so he was pleasantly surprised to discover York in a gay bar and that he has twin daughters.
The plot highlights Paolo’s dual identity. In the first part, as Paul, I wouldn’t say there’s none of the darkness but mostly hints of a deeper obsession. You got to hand it to Paolo. The man buried his Vitale so deep it didn’t feel like a Vitale book at all. I was even borderline bored.
It took me a while to warm up to York. A 46-year-old widower and first-time gay, he’s still figuring out most things. Paolo is eager to lend a hand and I get that York doesn’t want to complicate things with a subordinate. At the same time, the older man wants to explore his sexuality.
The thing with York is that he’s hot and cold for almost the entire book and I wasn’t convinced he’s actually in love with Paolo. Also, his characterization lacks depth. It was only at the end that he stood out as a character.
My favorite in the first part is Paolo and York’s twin daughters. Paolo adored the girls from the get-go and would die to protect them. And being a twin himself, he knows all about the mischief the clever girls cook up, even taught them a trick or two.
And we all agree, we could do without the nanny. This character was terrible and unnecessary.
When York and the twins were in danger, he didn’t hesitate. When Gianpaolo shed the Paul Gallow persona, revealing his Italian heritage, his tattoos, and became a full-on Vitale, it was glorious!!! And this is where the real crazy starts! I wish we got to this part sooner because this is what I came for.
“Sanity was only a facade with me. I was born into chaos and I wielded mayhem freely.”
You can tell he and Gin are twins because Paolo is one fucked up motherfucker with fucked up thoughts and zero qualms dub-conning his boss into staying in the Vitale building for their safety. He has already declared the twins his daughters, whether York agrees or not. I loved how fiercely protective he is of those he loves.
My favorite in the second part is when the Vitales unleashed hell on their enemies. It was a spectacular free-for-all violence, gore, and mayhem with a dash of humor, usually involving a brother’s weapon of choice. All the known brothers were there, plus Benito’s beloved monstrizio, Harlow, because as the queen, he has to have the head of the enemy.
I have yet to meet a Vitale I didn’t love, and Gianpaolo stands rightfully beside Gin, finally completing the Murder Twins. Paolo was thrown in a unique position and showed his true colors much later, but he proved a Vitale through and through.
Overall, Never Say Never is a mixed-bag yet ultimately thrilling story of loyalty, trust, and family, where the mind says no, the heart says yes, and the blood screams vengeance.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Say It First
Artist: Sam Smith
Album: The Thrill Of It AllP.S.
Vitale Brothers is best read in order. Each brother is fascinating so go ahead and meet them all.
Take Me Apart by Brea – Vitales like to live dangerously and Enzo did it by kidnapping a cop
Paid In Full by Brea – Gin found himself a twink he can’t let go
Say I Do by Brea – Benito don’t do things by halves so he married a complete psycho
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COVER REVEAL: P.O.O.F Please by D.G. Carothers (Giveaway)
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COVER REVEAL: P.O.O.F. Happens by D.G. Carothers (Giveaway)
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NEW RELEASE: Midnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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REVIEW: Angel’s Share by Layla Reyne
Agents Irish and Whiskey: Angel’s Share by Layla Reyne
Husbands Aidan Talley and Jameson Walker team up again as Agents Irish & Whiskey for their most precarious case yet in this established couple gay romantic suspense novel.
FBI agent Aidan Talley just wanted to spend the holiday weekend cheering on his husband’s basketball team. Instead, he’s investigating a cargo theft for the family business and coming face-to-face with a loose end from the case that almost tore him and Jamie apart.
Coach Jameson Walker may spend his days on the sidelines now, but Jamie refuses to stay there when it comes to his husband. When Aidan is cornered by his past, Jamie will do whatever it takes to ground him in the present, including stepping back into his hacker shoes for the Bureau.
Aidan and Jamie thought they’d seen it all, but the City of Angels has more than one ghost in store for them. As revenge and redemption collide, Agents Irish and Whiskey will have to trust in their love and their partnership to solve the case for the family they have, for the one they lost, and for the one they want to call their own.
Angel’s Share is the final book in the Agents Irish and Whiskey LGBTQIA+ romantic suspense series. While it can be read as a standalone, it is best enjoyed after reading the other books in the series.
Agents Irish and Whiskey by Layla Reyne were among the earliest MM books I’ve read (2017!). I never left Whiskeyverse because the succeeding spinoffs, Fog City, Trouble Brewing, and Perfect Play, kept me immersed in the City of Angels.
Angel’s Share surprised me because I didn’t expect we’d get another Aidan and Jamie story after the wedding novella. I didn’t want their series to end! I went from rating the first book, Single Malt 2 stars to one of the most memorable couples in MM romance.
This series finale opens with a luxury cargo stolen from no less than a Talley Enterprise ship. It led to a thrilling car chase with Jamie showing off his death-defying driving skills and Aidan meeting the last person he expected to see.
Angel is Aidan’s godson and the nephew of his late husband, Gabe. It seemed that the boy and his mother, Izzy, had fallen into hard times after they became estranged from their family due to their homophobic views. Aidan, in his survivor’s guilt after Gabe’s death, also distanced himself and had no idea that his underage godson was involved in illegal activities.
The plot brings the series full circle, interweaving Irish and Whiskey’s current lives with the case, exorcising past demons, and bringing closure to open threads. As Aidan is the SAC and Jamie is now a basketball coach and occasional FBI consultant/hacker, most of the action was told rather than shown. The rescue of Angel’s friend, Bev, would have been suspenseful, but it was mostly off-page.
This one is a me problem. I can’t exactly point a finger at a specific sentence, but the author has a way of writing, or maybe it’s the narrator’s style of delivery, that makes things seem more dramatic than they actually are. This is why I can’t finish the Perfect Play series. I kept rolling my eyes at how overly emo things sound. Here, it’s not as emo, and the story is very compelling.
Gripes aside, I loved the book! It felt like catching up with old friends! I am thrilled with everyone making appearances, from my fave badass babes, Mel and Helena, to Nick and Cam, even Levi, Marsh and their son, David, and of course Danny (my fave Talley). Even the other FBI agents who have their own books or I wish have their own books brought something fun to the table.
The newer characters were standouts as well. Angel went from a surly teenager to a protective friend and eager mechanic apprentice. It was a brief mention of them talking on the balcony but I’m totally shipping Angel and David. Hopefully, we get a book when they’re older.
Bev, our girl is feisty, sassy, and hella smart. Years of abuse and foster care didn’t dampen her spirits, and I’m happy she finally found her home.
And, of course, Aidan and Jamie giving me life with their strength and unconditional support to each other! It’s not so common to see the lives of married couples after the wedding, apart from epilogues. So I enjoyed seeing an established couple working together, saving their loved ones, with that absolute faith that his husband has his back no matter what.
Still with that palpable chemistry, that deep emotional connection, and that seamless synchronicity in work and personal life that makes Irish and Whiskey unforgettable even after all these years!
I complained about the “tell” parts earlier. The thrilling takedown made up for it, bringing in the big guns, bounty hunter Mel, and ninja assassin Helena, with Aidan’s team taking down mobsters, and dodging explosions. This is the action I’ve been waiting for!
Angel’s Share is about loss, grief, and long-buried fears, but it also reminded Aiden and Jamie of what matters most: love and the family we have or found. Fast-paced, and emotional, it’s happy forever we could wish for our Irish and Whiskey!
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: The Angel’s Share
Artist: Elly
Album: The Angel’s ShareP.S.
Agents Irish and Whiskey books are best read in order. Don’t miss the spinoffs, especially Trouble Brewing (Nick and Cam are top faves!), and Fog City (Silent Knight wrecked me!). Don’t listen to me about Perfect Play. I think most people will like that series.
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ANGEL’S SHARE: Kindle I Audiobook
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RELEASE BLITZ: Angel’s Share by Layla Reyne
