Reviewed by Valerie 

TITLE:  Elusive Relations

SERIES:  Valor and Doyle #2

AUTHOR:  Nicky James

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  427 pages

RELEASE DATE:  July 25, 2022

BLURB:   

Life was easier when rival detectives, Quaid Valor and Aslan Doyle, kept to their own sides of the building. They could forget the one glorious night they’d 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 Aslan and his partner, Quaid uncovers more than he bargained for—too many secrets and lies in a case that is dangerously personal. Plus, the more time he spends with Aslan, the harder it is for Quaid to ignore his attraction to the playboy detective.

Aslan, who doesn’t believe in repeats, can’t seem to stop flirting 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, and two turns into three?

Does Quaid want to risk his heart again? Has Aslan developed feelings? Can they put a stop to their fun and walk away? Do they want to?

**The Valor and Doyle Mysteries are a same-couple, ongoing series and should be read in order. The main mystery plot of each book will be resolved within the story, but there are elements that are overarching throughout the series**

 REVIEW:

Holy Cannoli! This cover model for Aslan is some seriously delicious eye candy! That really shouldn’t be my first comment about the fabulous Elusive Relations, but that’s where my thoughts went. And… now I can’t read my tablet because it’s covered with drool. Okay, moving on… how about this: Nicky James used the words “butt darts”! Bwahahahaha. I’m dead. (I’m such a child.) Oh, and there’s a character named Basil, pronounced like the herb. Who does that to their kid? Good times.

This book rocks! It’s a continuation of the Valor and Doyle Mysteries series – a same couple series, my favorite because we get to know the heroes gradually and in more depth as their stories unfurl. It makes their relationship feel more significant and should, at the conclusion of the series, make their happily ever after seem set in stone. Already we see that these are complex men with issues that can provide fodder for exploration in future books.

Elusive Relations picks up about six weeks after the end of Temporary Partner. This time the focus is on a murder investigation in which Aslan requests Quaid’s help because he has a connection to one of the victims. The story is told in Aslan’s first-person point of view. I’m not going to talk much about the mystery because it would be too easy to give it away. All you need to know is that it’s a well thought out and riveting plot about a gay couple beaten in bed. Aslan and Quaid work well together. Quaid continues his sneer-a-palooza. It gets to the point where Aslan can sense a sneer without even looking. Smirky, irreverent Aslan can’t help poking Quaid with flirty texts and hilarious pet names, antagonizing him to sneer. Seems those sneers are starting to turn him on.

“Stop being all hot and miserable. It’s a dangerous mix. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m trying to resist you. You know what that face does to me.”

“This is my ‘angry at you’ face.”

“Oh yeah, then why does it give me a hard-on?”

Aslan is a recovering alcoholic with a goal of living in the present, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. He’s learning to give himself permission to be happy and being with Quaid is beginning to make him happy. He likes catching Quaid with a smile, something Quaid bashfully tries to hide. So adorable.

Quaid is lonely and floundering He doesn’t know why he fights so hard to keep Aslan at arm’s length. He has to talk himself into having sex with Aslan again. Quaid tries to keep the sex as impersonal as possible but with all the smooches they share, he’s failing.

Mr. One and Done Aslan has always regarded sex as transactional: I’m happy, you’re happy, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. So why is Quaid different? He’s intrigued and wants to know the man behind the mask he always wears. Something Aslan has never experienced is après sex – lying in bed together talking about anything and everything. Perhaps he’s growing an emotion. Maybe he’s falling just a little bit. Maybe they both are.

This winning book is not to be missed. Again, Nicky strikes a great balance between the mystery and the relationship development, which is progressing nicely. You’ll be satisfied with where this book ends, fully concluding the current mystery but teasing us with quite the storyline for book three. If you’re just starting the series, make sure you read Temporary Partner first to see where all the animosity begins and to get the background on each guy. If you’re already one of Nicky’s tortured souls, you’ll adore this book.

RATING:

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