Reviewed by Valerie 

TITLE:  Inevitable Disclosure

SERIES:  Valor and Doyle #4  

AUTHOR:  Nicky James

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  431 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 30, 2023

BLURB:   

Quaid is adrift in MPU. With his partner on extended leave, he’s alone and unsure if he wants to continue working on missing persons cases now that his sister’s case is closed. When the missing teen he’s been seeking for a week turns up dead, it’s the icing on the cake. Maybe it’s time to explore a different career path.

Aslan and his partner, Torin, take over Quaid’s case, but Quaid can’t help but get involved. He wants justice for the girl. Justice for her grieving family. Is homicide the career change he’s been looking for?

The trio makes a solid team, and their banter takes the edge off a serious case. Working alongside Aslan again is fantastic. They have found a balance that works, but for as comfortable as they have become as a couple, for as inevitable as their future together seems, something’s missing.
Aslan is ready to take the next step in their relationship, but Quaid needs certain feelings to be disclosed first.

Do actions speak louder than words? Or is there magic in saying I love you?

** Inevitable Disclosure is the fourth book in the Valor and Doyle Mystery Series. It is a same-couple series that should be read in order. Although each book has a self-contained mystery with no cliff-hangers, the romance is overarching and progressive throughout the series. **

REVIEW:   

Oh my, Inevitable Disclosure is fabulous! Fantastic! Stupendous!! Of course, I have loved every book in the Valor and Doyle series but I have to say, this is the best so far. I know readers have all been impatiently waiting for this book, so let me assure you, it is so worth the wait. Nicky James’ boys are better than ever. I love how Aslan and Quaid are evolving, individually and as a couple.

“I caught Quaid’s arm before he got too far and dragged him back to the table. I pushed my chair back and encouraged him to straddle my lap. When he did, I laced my fingers against the small of his back, holding him in place. Quaid drew my head against his chest, and I closed my eyes, listening to his heartbeat as he stroked fingers through my hair.”

Excuse me? Is this…is this Aslan and Quaid being so tender with each other?? Wow, these guys have come a long way since Temporary Partner. Aslan has progressed from the snarky, tormenting man he was in book one to someone who demands cuddles from Quaid on page two! His transformation to a loving, caring partner is spectacular. The two times he asked Quaid to make love to him, not “fuck me”, didn’t go unnoticed.

Quaid has also evolved into a man more in touch with his feelings, or at least better able to express them. He’s even able to poke fun at himself. I feel like I’ve gotten to know him more deeply in this book as he drops his walls. He’s more vulnerable, more human, more lovable. He’s become more trusting and has opened up to Aslan, allowing him to gain even more insight into the real Quaid. It’s a gratifying development for readers. Don’t worry… he hasn’t lost The Sneer which turns Aslan on.

Quaid puts himself out there big time. I was both impressed and heartbroken by his outpouring of emotional words to Aslan. Nicky’s dialogue is in top form. My eyes might have leaked a little.

When he spoke, his words were choked and quiet:

I am so madly in love with you it’s crippling. It terrifies me most days because of how vulnerable it makes me feel to hand over my heart again after being so utterly destroyed by Jack. Trust is not easy for me. But I’m doing it anyway, and I don’t know if you realize the kind of power that gives you.

It’s a testament to how well Nicky has so thoroughly developed her characters and made us fall in love with them that something as simple as Aslan kissing the inside of Quaid’s wrist makes me swoon. There are a multitude of little intimate moments and gestures replete with tenderness. And of course, the sex is steamy!

Despite all my gushing about feelings, this book is more than just a romance. The mystery is also the best yet in this series. It’s fascinating and compelling with so many (but not too many) possible suspects and few, if any, solid alibis. I happened to be wrong with my guess of the criminal throughout most of the book. Nicky achieves a good balance between the two aspects of the series – romance and mystery. Neither is sacrificed. The plot has been well conceived without any loose ends. Well, except for the ending: one of them is deeply affected by the case and it’s not resolved by the end of the book.

Two fun, side characters are featured again. Aslan’s partner, Torin, is awesome and brings so much levity to the story. The banter is top notch. Aslan and Quaid can be themselves around him. And Ruiz! Who knew he could become likable? His relationship with Quaid is so cute!

Don’t let the little cliffhanger worry you. Book five, Defying Logic, will be here soon enough. In the mean time, allow Inevitable Disclosure and it’s wonderful leading men sweep you off your feet.

RATING:

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