Elusive Relations

Valor and Doyle, Book 2

By: Nicky James

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

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 enjoyed 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.

©2022 Nicole James (P)2022 Nicole James

Enjoyed It a Lot

I love this series Quaid and Aslan are interesting characters, but its their dynamic together and development of their relationship that drives their story and the reason I love this series so much. This second story in Valor and Doyle series presents a very different mystery for them to solve, and they do a great job, but its their interactions and connection that the best part of the story for me. Narrator did a great job, his voices and storytelling talent made this book a perfect listening experience.

Great story!

The two main characters are wonderful. I love the dynamic between them. The narration is really good as well.

07/2024 Valor and Doyle: overall series review

Did each book keep me engaged: yes
Was I invested in the characters: yes
Was it worth investing in the 7 books and 70+ hours: yes
Would I listen to it again: at this stage i'm not sure

📖 Series comment: Overall each book has a good pace, the characters are likeable, the underlying cases are interesting and tie in well with the relationship growth as the series progresses.

🎧 Narrator comment: I enjoy Nick Russo as a narrator, he suits the characters, has good cadence, inflections and intonations and it's easy to distinguish the characters from each other. Overall an enjoyable and consistent performance and he bought the series to life

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📌 Where does the series fall on my personal scale? 5
Note to self: First listen was the full series: all 7 books back to back.
Quaid's constant insecurities through the first half of the series grated on my nerves and by Book 7, I wasn't in the right head-space for his neuroticism and I just wanted it over - not even Aslan's calming demeanour of a personality was enough to balance it out.

• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough [3⭐] • 5 enjoyed it [4⭐] • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

Valor and Doyle ❤️

4.5 stars for the story
5 stars for the audiobook.

Absolutely loved the relationship progression in this. It seems so natural and so easy going.
Inta-lust sure, but no insta-love. I love reading about attraction that slowly transforms to like and then love.. Not that they love each other yet but you know...
Their banter and back and forth was entertaining and sweet. I sooo appreciated that it wasn't the OTT banter that is all over MM romance lately.

Aslan's obsession with Quaid's sneer and grumpiness is so cute. Their steamy scenes are 🔥🔥🔥.

I also really liked the case. It was interesting and very well done. I didn't guess who the killer was and that made me happy.

Note: Hopefully this is the last book we see or hear about Quaid's cheating lying ex. What hapoend to him in this book is deserved. Am I too mean and evil to think that? Maybe. Do I care? Nop! I freaking HATE cheaters.

Excellent

Loved this new one from Nicky James! I adore this series! Nick Russo did a lovely job bringing this story to life! Looking forward to the next one!

Cant get enough of these guys!

Just finished book 2 and I’m ready for book 3. This series has it all - romantic suspense, great plot that keeps you thinking, banter, good feels and of course 2 guys falling in love. I couldn’t put it down! I just love Quaid and Aslan’s story and cant wait to read/listen to more. Kudos to Nicky James for creating these wonderful characters and to Nick Russo for bring them to life through his narration.

Elusive Relations

A slow burn but I hope that with the next book some storylines end and others get better. The characters are ones that I like but don’t love yet. I’ll definitely listen to the next one.

What a ride!

I was eagerly anticipating this book. I’d loved the first Valor & Doyle book and was excited to see where this one was going to take me. Aslan and Quaid had an uneasy truce at the end of book 1. They’d had sex. And since Quaid was still dealing with a manipulative ex he kept letting back into his life, and Aslan didn’t do repeats, it seemed their relationship might be at an end. Seeing as it was only book 1, I knew more was coming.

Ms. James didn’t disappoint. This next book was as thrilling. The mystery was amazing, for sure, and at the end I was like, well of course all the while going – what clues did I miss?

What kept me going, of course, was the relationship between the two men. This murder that Aslan and his partner have been assigned is very personal to Quaid, so of course he wants to be involved. And as much as Quaid and Aslan have sworn to keep apart, they have the history of the notch in the bedpost that gets repeated. And then repeated. Soon, this aren’t clear at all. Soon, both men are rethinking their previous stances. Soon, all the reasons they needed to stay apart feel less significant – more like they can be overcome.

Finally, there’s the overall arc of Quaid’s missing sister. We got the full story of how the young girl disappeared and what that disappearance did to his family. He joined MPU as some way of making up for her loss – maybe even with the vague notion of one day tracking her down. I have a strong feeling this story will be resolved in the next book – and I can’t wait.

Nick J. Russo did a fantastic job narrating this book and I look forward to the next in series.

awesome

This audio was a great listen! I loved the story and the narrator! I highly recommend it!

Love this series

Love these characters. I wish book 3 was available and hope it will be in the future.