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Elusive Relations by Nicky James
5.0

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

“We have to stop doing this.” “I know.” But Aslan kissed me again. Raw and claiming kisses that sang through my body and made my toes curl.

This book summed up for me:

F*ck Aslan
Protect Quaid at all cost
F*ck Torin too, don’t be mean to Quaid
F*ck Aslan less
Protect Quaid at all cost
F*ck Jack the most
Where is Quaid’s dad??
Protect Quaid at all cost
Okay I’m ready to give Aslan a chance
end scene

Anyway. Nicky James always makes me feel strongly about one thing or another which is always fun, if not painful. This book is no exception. The murder mystery and police procedural was, as always, a gosh darn treat. I love a well written whodunnit. It kept me guessing all the way through, and even when I thought I had it all figured out, I really hadn’t, yet seeing how it all fit together in the end? Chef’s kiss.

Aslan being a playboy through and through while Quaid wants a connection and forever with someone is just a recipe for tears for me. They were shed, I tell you. But it’s like a wreck I can’t look away from, because their chemistry is just so good. The little looks, small touches and caught smiles? Ugh, I love it, unfortunately. The tension is electric. Also, what is it about almost-kisses, lips-hovering-while-trying-to-hold-back?? I’m a puddle every time.




“You’ve chased that dream of family since you were a little boy. You want that unbreakable bond. The unity. That’s not a bad thing. I wish it for you more than anything. But you can’t force it, and I think, as you’ve gotten older, it’s made you desperate. You clung to that awful man because you were convinced he was your last chance at a husband and a family and love.”

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Series
Hookups to more
Romantic suspense
Police procedural
Coworkers
Law enforcement
Enemies to lovers
Reformed manwhore (eventually)
Commitment issues
Trust issues
Emotional slow burn

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mention of MC crashing car while intoxicated (past)
Explicit sexual content
MC is a recovering alcoholic (no relapse
Detailed graphic murder scene
MC’s ex severely beaten and hospitalized
Details of past manipulation and emotional abuse by MC’s ex
Details of MC being cheated on by ex (past)
Details of SC filming porn without consent (not with MC)
MC abandoned by parent as a child
Themes of non-consensual porn
Off-page physical child abuse between SCs
Gun violence (no shots fired)
MC injured (minor)
Physical violence between MC and bad guy
Disordered eating (skipping meals, eating too little, extreme focus on health)

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Aslan briefly mentions having hooked up with other people during the 6 weeks off page between book 1 and 2, after sleeping with Quaid in book 1. There are no details about it. They are not in a relationship at the time.
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 35 and 42
Series: Series, book 2
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 426
Happy ending: Very mild HFN relationship-wise. Cliffhanger plot


“We aren’t built the same. You’re okay having casual sex with many people. I’m not judging. To each his own. At least you’re honest about it. I… I can’t do that.” “But you have. Six weeks ago, we hooked up. No strings attached.” And I’d been suffering the consequences ever since. How many times had I run a finger over that groove Aslan had cut into my bedpost? How many times had I allowed my feelings to be hurt when he’d pass me in the parking lot or in the office without a second glance?

His baby-blue orbs were fathomless. Dangerous. I’d tumbled into them once and was still trying to find my way out.



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