Cask Strength by Layla Reyne
Review by Lauren
Source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: Professionally, the FBI team of Aidan “Irish” Talley and Jameson “Whiskey” Walker is as good as it gets, closing cases faster than any team at the Bureau. Personally, it’s a different story. Aidan’s feelings for Jamie scare the hell out of him: he won’t risk losing another love no matter how heart-tripping the intimacy between them. And loss is a grim reality with the terrorist Renaud still on their trail, leaving a pile of bodies in his wake.
Going undercover on a new case gets them out of town and off the killer’s radar. They’re assigned to investigate an identity theft ring involving a college basketball team in Jamie’s home state, where Jamie’s past makes him perfect for the role of coach. But returning to the court brings more than old memories.
As secrets and shocking betrayals abound, none may be more dangerous than the one Jamie’s been keeping: a secret about the death of Aidan’s husband that could blow his partner’s world apart and destroy forever the fragile bonds of trust and love building between them.
Review: This is actually the second book in the Agents Irish and Whiskey series. I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot, but I requested it not realizing there was a book before this one – with the same characters. While it’s something I’d like to read at some point, I didn’t feel lost starting with the second book. There is an overarching mystery that the author does a good job filling you in on, and then there is a more prominent mystery that is unique to this particular book. As for Irish and Whiskey, this is the book where the two finally start to admit to more than physical attraction for each other. Well, Whiskey has long fallen for Irish, but after losing his husband, Irish isn’t so sure he can handle getting too close to anyone else.
Two M/M book reviews: Cask Strength and Back Piece #mmromance Click To TweetI thought the partnership between these two men was great. Yes, they had the romance element, but in general, they fit well together. They always had each other’s back and genuinely cared about the other’s safety and well being. The mysteries in the book were well done and I never really knew what was happening throughout. It kept me in suspense and happy to read. The overarching mystery has new layers added to it in this book, which will be focused on in the third book. As for the mystery for this particular book, everything is revealed and wrapped up, so all in all, there isn’t much of a cliffhanger. Granted, I still can’t wait for the next book!
Back Piece by L.A. Witt
That’s nice, two good books there!
This is a well-written constructed review. I really love your professional approach to this article. I am glad to see how easily you were able to include all necessary points.
I’m not a big mystery reader, but the first book sounds really good! The tattoo one sounds like a nice romance novel and that the two characters really help each other build up from their pasts.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Cask Strength sounds intriguing!
xx
Both of those sound great. I enjoy series that keep the same couple so I’ll hae to check out that first series.
For What It’s Worth
These sound like great titles!! Cask and strength especially, have to check out the first book in series!
Tori @ In Tori Lex
the first one sounds like it might be good. thanks for calling it to my attention.
They both sound really interesting, I’m very intrigued by the second one in fact! I’ll have to add it to my list.
I love a good mystery! I’ll have to add these to my to-read lists!
I’m glad these were hits for you!
Great reviews! I’ve never read either author, but the second one sounds really good. I do like series books, so maybe I’ll look for the first one too.
I hate to judge a book by its cover but uhm back peace… 😮 meow!!
Oh, where was I? Yes. This looks good. And you know I do love me a good mystery, thanks for sharing such great and insightful reviews with us!! Xoxo
Some very thorough reviews. Thanks for sharing.
I really like good mysteries that are unique! Thanks for sharing your reviews, I am always looking for new books 🙂
This book looks amazing. Now that I am working from home — I want to start reading more. I should start with this!
I’ve been dying to read CASK STRENGTH! #getsocial17