Length: 72,000 words approx
Publisher: Loose Id
Cover Design: Syneca Featherstone
Heart & Haven Series
Blurb
Disgraced FBI agent Nick Truman has failed to save his sister, held hostage by a drug cartel until he could give them Alex Crow, who eluded him. His epic downfall lands him in Witness Protection, where he plays by the rules and keeps to himself. But the murder of his neighbor brings danger to his door. He unexpectedly finds himself the champion of innocents and helplessly attracted to the homicide detective in charge of the case.
This can’t end well.
Homicide Detective Hank Axelrod is good at digging out secrets, maybe because he hides a big one of his own. He also suspects his husband has one foot out of the door of their marriage and the specter of single life looms unpleasantly on the horizon.
A murder resembling another brings Nick into his world, a man who claims to be a mystery writer looking for a real life resource. Hank’s instincts say he’s more than that, and he’s rarely wrong.
Torn between the errant soon-to-be-ex husband and the distracting, sexy stranger, Hank needs to focus all his attention on his murder case before he becomes the next victim.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Signal Boost Promotions for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*
His Dark Reflection is Book 3 in Heloise West's Heart and Haven series. The author recommends not reading this book as a standalone. Personally, I don't know that it matters but I have read the previous three books, so I might have felt differently had I just read this one. One of the MC's is very involved in the first book, and slightly involved in book 2. This story does refer to behaviors and actions of the MC that is shared in Book 1. So, it's up to you. I do think regardless of reading this one, or all three of them, you should read them consecutively without time in between to feel less confused about what's happening.
Nick was introduced in the first book as a dirty FBI agent. His circumstances are shared in that book, and he's living a new identity now. He does his job, drinks all the time, and screws any willing male. He does not interact with others and has no friends. When Nick's neighbors are murdered, he gets drawn into the case and is attracted to the detective handling the case, Hank. Hank is a married man through this entire book. Yes, more than halfway through his husband moves out, but regardless, he's married throughout. And yes, he and his husband have separated for about a day before he hooks up with Nick so some may not consider this cheating.
I did enjoy this book more than the first two, for the most part. I never forgot that one of the MC's was married. I never thought Nick was likable in the first two books, and never really changed my opinion on this one. I know he only did what he thought he had to do to save his sister, but he still killed innocent people. A bigger issue for me was that this book did not have a satisfactory conclusion. There was no HFN, HFE or relationship. It just left me wanting more. What I did enjoy was the mystery and investigation around the murder. I wish the small elements of the relationship were taken out of the story and more focus put on solving the case because it felt like that conclusion was rushed when Hank was saved.
I'm a little mixed in my feelings about this book. I have very strong opinions about cheating, married MC's, and books that don't have conclusions. Strong feelings of hate. I'm sure there will be another book in the series that will continue the Hank storyline, or the Nick storyline. Maybe these two men aren't more than a hook-up. I guess we'll just have to wait until the next book in the series to find out!
Rating: 3.5 stars
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September 14 - Alpha Book Club
September 19 - The Novel Approach
September 20 - Bayou Book Junkie
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Author Bio
Heloise West, when not hunched over the keyboard plotting love and mayhem, dreams about moving to a villa in Tuscany. She loves history, mysteries, and romance of all flavors. She travels and gardens with her partner of 10 years, and their home overflows with books, cats, art, and red wine.
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