DNF, did not finish and should've stopped sooner than just past 60%. But after a long-awaited scene ended up full of cliches, and then yet another annoying plot roadblock, I was done. What should have been escalation was just...stupid. I get the impression the author needed more editorial help than she got. (There's also more telling what a character feels than showing, when showing would deliver real emotional punches.)

Sometimes these things happen because of deadlines, but it's a shame for the end of a trilogy.

I know many readers posted better reviews, and all I can say is maybe they should learn about the sunk cost fallacy. I read reviews to get hints about a book. Glowing reviews of this one tell me they're not critical enough to serve my needs. I give this one star for the attempt, and another because I like these characters. But it's all I can honestly give. ( )

This series is right there at the top of my favorites list. This is so amazing. I love the characters, the writing, the setting, the story, the family, and the love. It is one that I will read and re-read and re-listen to for sure.

My heart was slightly broken at the end of book 2 as I knew things were not going to be easy for Jamie and Aidan. When it fell apart and poor Aidan was shattered, my heart hurt for him. I understood why things had to be the way they were with Jamie not telling him about the case, but it took Aidan some time to come to terms with it. I loved that they spent time apart and we knew about it, but the book wasn't spent with them apart for a lot of pages. They got back together (or at least started the healing process) relatively quickly so there wasn't a lot of relationship angst. There were plenty of other things to stress about...like people trying to kill them. lol

I absolutely loved this. Can't wait to read more of these guys and to continue the series with Nic and Cam. I'd give this 100 stars if I could. lol ( )

I have really enjoyed this series and the characters of Aidan Tally and Jamie Walker. The series is a romance but it's also a good mystery story that continues over these 3 books. I wish Aidan didn't take everything so personally. he gets carried away sometimes blaming first himself and then sometimes Jamie for things that were beyond either of their control. The last book was a bit of a cliffhanger so I'm glad that Ms. Reyne gave Jamie and Aidan some closure and happiness. I have to give the three books in this whole series 5 stars because they are fantastic reads. Just as a sidebar: Thank you Conner and Luke...my two good friends, for the big box of books. Hope you don't want them back:) ( )

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

Barrel Proof brings this gay romance/spy thriller series to a solid ending. While the previous two books had enough to stand alone, this jumps right in where the previous one left off, though it offers reminders pretty quickly to ground the reader. It does feel like this is a better binge read than stretched out too long. Because of where the last book left Jaime and Aiden, even though I remembered the events, the emotional connection to the characters had dimmed. However, even there, it took very little to restart that connection.

The book uses a large time-jump/summary to make Aiden’s attempts to deal with Jaime’s betrayal reasonable, but the story is in a bit of a holding pattern during this section. Jaime, who has the narration, wasn’t doing much that’s critical, or so it seemed. I’ll say only his concerns and ruminations become very relevant by the end, and things smoothed out on all sides once Aidan comes back into the picture. He doesn’t stay long for work reasons, but the mood changes from depression to anticipation.

It’s the last that drew me into the series and is strong in Barrel Proof as much as any of the others. Not the anticipation, exactly, but the sense this is much more than the explicit gay sex. The connections both made them vulnerable and stronger, while the love is clear whether requited as with Aiden and Jaime, and Mel and Danny, or not as with Nic (the DA). This makes the story powerful, gives the characters clear motivations, and doesn’t interfere with the story because it’s integral to the tale unfolding.

I enjoyed seeing Nic become a full character, and Katie (Aiden’s niece) stole the show as usual. Whether fighting bad guys or risking their lives to rescue those they love, the sense of family, both born into and chosen, forms the foundation of their lives and work.

The villain of the piece is much more than an amorphous bad guy despite how he appeared in the earlier books when they didn’t have much to go on. The story comes together with plausible and complex clues to figure out. To avoid spoilers, I will say only there was one twist that disappointed me (not in the writing, but in the character involved) and one that was beautifully done and gave me something I’d thought lost. Other themes touched on things like consequences when breaking the rules even if it means results, and I liked how all that comes out and is resolved as well.

Overall, I read the series for the connections between the characters and the active caring they showed even when they were sometimes being idiotic about it (because of very human reactions). The third book does not disappoint and brings together a ton of pieces to make this all work. While I had some quibbles with the beginning of the book mostly because of the time jump that I agree is necessary, I am glad I stuck it out through the whole series because I “met” many deep characters who felt and acted like real people in all their strengths and frailties. Plus, the addition of realistic consequences for all involved was a pleasant surprise when all too often the maverick behavior is excused or ignored in fictional worlds.

P.S. I received this arc from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review. ( )