Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

“This is real, Quaid. You and me. Yes, it’s only been a month, and I know we haven’t found our groove. We are perfectly imperfect, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I regret asking you out to dinner. I don’t regret making this commitment to you and shedding my old life. This is far better.”

Dude, this book stressed me out something fierce. You’d think it would be a relatively chill book since Quaid and Aslan are finally together, but their relationship is definitely rocky. Quaid is plagued (kinda rhymes) by insecurities and low self-esteem and nonexistent self-worth after the relationship with his cheating and manipulative ex and being abandoned by a parent, and has pretty extensive trust issues. Thankfully Aslan is well aware, is full of understanding and has endless patience with Quaid. No, it hasn’t been a smooth ride by any means, but you can tell they are good together and for each other.

“You are worthy, and I’m not going anywhere. I will tell you every day until you believe me.”

They dealt with so many external challenges as well in this book, so it was plenty angsty and stressful. I really enjoyed seeing them get closer and stronger, even if it was minuscule. I am really hoping for less relationship angst in book 4, because there’s only so much I can handle, lol.

Update on my feelings on everyone:
I like Aslan now (I stand by him being a douche canoe in book 1 and most of book 2)
Quaid is baby and I love him still
Torin can get fucked less (actually made me lol in this one)
Quaid’s dad might be old and fragile but he can get fucked the most — hug your child back you ass

He scratched his fingers up and down my chest through the fabric of my dress shirt. There was a softness in his eyes. A wanting. A desperation. “Will you kiss me?” he breathed. “I’m stressed.”

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Established couple
Law enforcement
Police procedural
Coworkers
Rocky relationship
Solving crimes
Found family vibes
Recovering addict

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Themes of missing children
Child describing being abducted
Drugged and held captive
MC’s sister missing since childhood
Explicit sexual content
Alcoholic MC almost relapses (buys alcohol, does not drink)
SC recounting killing someone as a child
Alcohol cravings detailed
Detailed murder scenes
MC drugged (on page)
MC abducted
Mentions of abusive bad guy (physical, past)
Gun violence (no shots fired)
MC’s sister’s dead body recovered
Disordered eating (skipping meals, eating too little, extreme focus on health

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: A female reporter is pushy and while Aslan isn’t remotely interested, Quaid’s insecurities and a couple situations that look suspicious leads to a couple fights. No ‘actual’ OW drama, but can be stressful and uncomfortable.
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 36 and 42
Series: Series, book 3
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 464
Happy ending: Mild HFN


“You also have romance novels behind your collection of thriller books.” Aslan winked. “Very sneaky.” “They aren’t romance novels.” “You think I don’t know who Nora Roberts is? I have a romance-novel-obsessed sister.” “She writes diverse stories with rich plotlines and characterization. I… Dad! Stop laughing and defend me.”

Despite wanting to admit it, Quaid was an emotional being deep, deep inside where he thought no one could see.



You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr