Barrel Proof by Layla Reyne
Series: Agents Irish and Whiskey #3
Publisher: Carina Press (HQN)
Release Date (Print & Ebook): August 7, 2017 (Ebook and Audiobook)
(Audiobooks of Single Malt (AIW1) and Cask Strength (AIW2) also releasing August 7, 2017)
Length (Print & Ebook): 189 Pages (Ebook); 6hr, 30mins (Audio)
Subgenre: M/M Romantic Suspense
This book features: Book 3/Trilogy Conclusion. Angst, Action, Romance, HEA
All buy links or pre-order links:
Book Blurb:
FBI agents Aidan "Irish" Talley and Jameson "Whiskey" Walker can't get a moment's peace. Their hunt for the terrorist Renaud seems to be nearing an end, until a fire allows him to slip through their fingers—and puts Jamie's life in danger. When Jamie is nearly killed, Aidan learns how many forms loss can take.
Aidan says I love you just moments before learning that Jamie's been keeping a devastating secret about Aidan's late husband. How quickly trust and love can go up in flames. When Aidan requests a solo undercover assignment, Jamie hopes Aidan will find a way to forgive him.
But the explosions are far from over. Aidan's cover lands him in the heart of the terrorist's conspiracy, and Jamie will have to put his life, his career and his freedom on the line to save the man who has become his entire world. Partners, always is a promise he intends to keep.
Quotes about the book (or others in the series):
From Single Malt:
"Sexy, smart and suspenseful - this book has it all." --HelenKay Dimon, author of Mr. & Mr. Smith
"With sharp writing, compelling characters, and an engaging plot, Single Malt is the M/M romantic suspense series I've been waiting for." - Santino Hassell, award-winning author of the FIVE BOROUGHS series
"Single Malt is full of explosive chemistry, captivating characters, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. A must read for any romantic suspense fan!" -- Megan Erickson, USA Today Bestselling author
Early reviews about Barrel Proof:
RT Magazine - 4.5 Stars, Top Pick:
Barrel Proof is the third and final book in the Agents Irish and Whiskey series. After two books that follow the formation of a heated M/M romantic relationship, Barrel Proof starts off with a climax as secrets are revealed and the romance is tested. … Fans of the series will be equally challenged and delighted by the twists and turns Reyne takes. The book flows into a more action-oriented focus as the plot progresses, but Reyne ends the romance with just the right amount of heft to keep any reader of romantic suspense and M/M romance delighted.
Night Owl Reviews - 4.5 Stars, Top Pick:
Layla Reyne finishes her trilogy with an absolute bang! As sorry as I am to say goodbye to this fabulous pair I couldn't have enjoyed their ending more.
The Romance Reviews - 5 Stars, Top Pick:
BARREL PROOF is the emotional, high impact, AMAZING finale to the Agents Irish and Whiskey series.
Heart-breaking and heart-fulfilling, this book is the perfect finale to the series, and Layla Reyne now has a brand new reader completely addicted to her work. Without a doubt, absolutely recommended by me.
Excerpt
Aidan snatched his hands away. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“She ordered me not to.”
“Wrong answer.” He rocketed out of the chair, snatched a tumbler off the table by the door and hurled it at the opposite wall, glass shattering.
“Aidan, please, stop.” Jamie used a bedpost to haul himself to standing, swaying. He moved toward his partner, putting as little weight as possible on the braced leg, the pain excruciating but not as unbearable as the thought of losing Aidan. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”
Aidan grabbed another glass and heaved again, keeping him back. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to break your heart until I knew the whole story.”
“Too late, baby.” He spat the cherished endearment, full of spite and hatred.
The verbal punch landed right where he intended, robbing Jamie of breath. “Irish, please,” he whispered hoarsely. “I’m sorry.”
Aidan shot forward, forcing Jamie back to seated. “I trusted you, with my back and my heart, and you lied to me for months.”
“I’m sorry, I thought I was protecting you.” Jamie reached for him, and Aidan batted his hand away.
“Wrong! We protect each other. Keeping critical information from me about our case, about Gabe and Tom, about my family, is not protection. It’s lying. And me not knowing the full story means I can’t protect them or you.” His shrill voice pained Jamie’s ears.
“Baby, please.”
“Renaud came after my husband, he came after my partner, he came after me. Fuck, Jamie, he keeps coming after me, and now he’s coming after you too. And my brother and my best friend. Maybe even my goddaughter. You didn’t think I needed to know that? I could lose them. I could lose you! I told you what would happen if I loved and lost you.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Jamie stood and reached for Aidan’s arm again.
Aidan wrestled him off, shoving his chest two-handed and sending him splaying back on the bed. “I can’t, Whiskey.” Chest heaving, his harsh breaths and harsher words came out a strangled blow. “I can’t do this.”
5+++ Stars!!!
Barrel Proof is the third book and conclusion of the Agents Irish & Whiskey series. It absolutely CAN'T be read as a standalone, so if you haven't read Single Malt and Cask Strength—and really, why the hell haven't you? You're definitely missing out. Go get them now!—continue at your own risk.
Jamie and Aidan can't seem to catch a break and the closer they get to Renaud, the closer they are to discovering the tangled web of lies that the terrorist has woven in the past few years and the closer Aidan is to finding out about Jamie and Mel's betrayal.
Wow, just wow! This book was so action-packed, I felt like I could barely catch my breath with all that was happening. And the angsty-as-all-hell-angst didn't help either. I was expecting it all to blow over when Aidan found out that both Jamie and Mel had known of Gabe's involvement with Renaud, even if we weren't privy to the details. It was still painful to see it unfold. I wanted to cuddle them both and make it better. *weary sigh* Although, I knew it was coming, it didn't make it any easier, even if it was totally understandable and true to both their characters. The love they felt for each other was palpable, the chemistry as always electric, I swear I melted into a puddle of Mari-goo everytime they said "Partners, always."
The secondary characters from Mel and Danny to Nic and Cam passing through Katie were awesome as always. It was really sweet to see Jamie with Katie. <3 The villains were hateful and I was glad to see them get their comeuppance.
Overall, this was an awe-inspiring read and damn, if Layla Reyne didn't do a fantastic job tying all the loose details and giving me a satisfying ending to Aidan and Jamie's story, even if I wouldn't mind more books in this universe. Nic and Cam deserve some love, too, you know? Just saying. ;)
Highly recommendable!
*** Copy provided to the reviewer via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Barrel Proof is Book 3 in Layla Reyne's Agents Irish and Whiskey and absolutely cannot be read as a standalone. This book starts where the second one left off, so plan on reading this series in the appropriate order. We met Aidan (Irish) and Jamie (Whiskey) in Book 1 as they became new partners in the FBI. There was attraction between the two men, with Jamie having crushed on Aiden from the first time they met but Aiden's had love and lost it, he's not interested in taking a chance in love. Don't think that because Jamie and Aiden are on Book 3 of their story that this book is them being all happy and sappy in love. This author is not letting these men find happily ever after easily!
As we know from the previous stories (seriously, you really have to read those two books first!!), Jamie has been working on a secret case behind Aiden's back and in this book all secrets are revealed and not easily. This book takes all the small clues we've been given and puts them all together to reveal the truth. This story is action packed, fast paced, and you'll question if you're trusting and believing the right people as this mystery unfolds.
As with the first two books, I absolutely love Jamie. Though he's had to keep secrets from Aiden, it isn't what he wants but he'll protect his partner from suffering any more. Jamie is who he shows himself to be. He's supportive, strong, smart, loyal, and he loves with all of his heart. As with the previous two books, I understood Aiden but I didn't always like his actions. Because of my love of Jamie, I wanted Aiden to accept the truth and to finally move on and accept the love Jamie so freely gave him. And I wanted Jamie to get that love. Like I said at the beginning, their HEA doesn't come easily, but it does happen!
Something I didn't realize until this book is that Single Malt, Book 1 of the series, was the debut book for this author. She's done a fantastic job of creating a complex story, leaving a trail of clues and then providing a fantastic conclusion! This is a must read series!!
Rating: 5++++ stars!
Author Bio:
Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now calls San Francisco home. She enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart pounding romance. When she's not writing stories to excite her readers, she downloads too many books, watches too much television, and cooks too much food with her scientist husband, much to the delight of their smushed-face, leftover-loving dogs.
Author Tagline:
Adrenaline-Fueled Romance
Author links:
Giveaway Details:
Prizes: (2) HUGE Agents Irish & Whiskey Gift Packs including: 1 Kindle Fire Tablet, 1 Agents Irish & Whiskey mug, and surprise swag! (Ships to US/Canada only; international winners will receive Amazon Gift Card: $35)
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