A stunning first in a new series by Nicky James

Temporary Partner is the first in Nicky James’s stunning new Valor and Doyle M/M Romantic Mystery series. It features two rival detectives enforced to work together by circumstances beyond their control. Each must put their differences aside and co-operate in a professional manner in the search for a kidnapped five-month-old baby. In such cases, time is of the essence, but working long hours and in such close proximity is not a situation either detective cares for. However, their pooled experience and intelligence is a necessity if they have any hope of finding the missing baby.

Quaid Valor, professional to a fault and known for following the rules to the letter, is often accused of being cold and unsympathetic, when in reality, he is simply focused and driven. In direct contradiction to his staid professional manner, he has a ‘hot-as hell’ persona. Preferring monogamy to one-night-stands, he is almost naive in his search for the perfect guy to settle down with.

Homicide detective Aslan Doyle is Valor’s polar opposite; definitely not a rule follower, he is also a flirty, jack-the-lad and well known in his unit as a player. However, he does have his own set of standards - he doesn’t cheat and he never knowingly hooks up with anyone already in a relationship. Doyle is attracted to Valor and, seeing him as a challenge, he constantly flirts and winds him up.

They had a brief encounter at a team building exercise between their two units a few months previously, which had ended in a hot kiss. Both had been left slightly stunned by the unexpected chemistry between them, but the professional rivalry between their two units meant that nothing was ever likely to come of it… until now. Forced to spend long hours together, we see their ‘relationship’ take tentative steps as the spark between them reignites.

As the story progresses, we see how surprisingly complex these two characters are. Flirty playboy Doyle has far more depth of character than we are initially privy to, and the revelations further down the line as the two men begin to build the foundation of their ‘relationship’ are an eye opener. The driving force behind Valor’s outwardly severe exterior was a shock and a tragedy in itself, and one that I hope the author has these two MC’s solving further down the line. I honestly can’t see her leaving such a loose end for ever, but I’m pretty sure she’ll make us wait.

One of Nicky James’s many strengths is how adept she is at character building her beautiful, flawed men, and she can also always be relied upon to surprise us in any book she writes. Temporary Partner is no exception, and I can say with certainty that readers and/or listeners will fall in love with these two intriguing men before the story ends.

On the whole, Nick J Russo does an excellent job with Nicky James’s large and diverse cast of characters. His name, in collaboration with a favourite author’s, is almost always a one click purchase for me. Generally, he differentiates well between the many character voices he has to juggle with in Temporary Partner and I was particularly impressed with his female characters. His accented ones - both male and female, were also especially good. However, I found it difficult to know when one or other of the two MC’s were talking. Both characters sounded so similar to me that I had to rely on dialogue tags and also had to back track on occasions to get them straight in my head. My enjoyment wasn’t overly spoilt though as Nick Russo is an accomplished performer with a pleasant, melodic voice which is very easy on the ear. I enjoyed his performance but for that one criticism.

Temporary Partner is an absorbing, police procedural, mystery suspense with a delicious slow burn romance, excellent plotting, many false trails and a surprise ending… so nail bitingly clever. I was engrossed from the first page to the last. So, so, well done Nicky James… 5 glittering stars for your clever, engrossing writing. I can hardly wait to see what your clever, analytical brain comes up with next, and especially how your two gorgeous, troubled men move their ‘relationship’ forward.

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2 people found this helpful

Enemies to lovers

I feel like I'm reading this series all the time, and I love it. I finished this book in ebook, then came the second ebook, and now this audio, so I've been with Aslan&Quaid a lot. And I'm not nad about it hahaha. I love these two, and the narrator did an amazing job with their voice.

It's an interesting and fascinating series, I love the mystery and the romance, it has a really good balance in the storyline. Two likeable characters, great background. Highly recomend.

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A cryptic case and two stubborn men

Quaid and Aslan's story was a little lighter on the romance than I expected, but still a captivating, thrilling start to a new series I already love. While it's not essential to read Department Rivals, the free prequel, I found it helpful to better understand the fierce rivalry between departments and particularly pointed animosity between Aslan and Quaid specifically. Some time may have passed since their forced inter-team bonding, but boy did they still have those sparks of irritated attraction. Nicky James writes enemies-to-lovers so well, and with Nick Russo narrating I knew this story was going to be a win. Aslan may have been open to a quick fling, but Quaid was vehemently opposed to even the idea of admitting his chemistry with Aslan, and I was living for every minute of it. The missing persons case the two of them were working on was a satisfyingly complicated puzzle, and though I don't always love drama in my romances, I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this book. More than once I was convinced I'd outsmarted the detectives and solved their case, but I ended up being wildly off base every time. Aslan and Quaid's work never lost its sense of urgency, and I'm really impressed by how thoughtfully planned out the pacing was throughout this audio. Despite how intensely focused the detectives were on solving the case, I learned a surprising amount about their personal lives in the little downtime they had. I'm 100% sold on the idea of their partnership taking a romantic turn, and I can tell both men have some personal demons to vanquish before they'll be able to be truly open and happy together. While the overall romance was left on a steamy but open ended promise, the police case was fully and happily resolved. All that's left is for me to patiently wait and see what new case is going to force these stubbon men back into each other's orbits for another chance at a happily-ever-after.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Exciting and emotional

Story: Nicky James is a master of thrilling romances with a gripping plot aside from the MCs' relationship and this book is another prime example. Top notch storytelling experience with interesting characters.
Narration: Amazingly flexible voice and great acting skills. Perfect for the story!

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Valor & Doyle Exceptional 💚

OH Yes absolutely brilliant listening to Nick J Russo bring Quaid and Aslan to life is truly magnificent the snark, the banter is so much fun the sexual tension between them is so much more on audio you're taken along for an amazing and emotional ride as they work together on a case simply outstanding can't recommend enough can't wait for elusive relations.

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Amazing performance!

Wow Nick J. Russo did an amazing job narrating this book!!! This audiobook is definitely amazing!!! Temporary Partner is a enemies to lovers, opposites attracted, grumpy/sunshine story! Detective Quaid Valor, he works in the Missing Persons Unit, he is the opposite of Aslan Doyle a Homicide detective. Because of Quaid’s partner isn’t available he get a temporary partner, he isn’t happy but they have to make things work. They need to solve a case, a baby has been missing and they must race against the clock to find him. This two are opposites in every way and because a long standing mutual hate between this two departments and both Quaid and Aslan have a dislike for each other but isn’t just that something happened between them a few months ago. Beside the case Quaid have to to deal with Aslan’s flirting and a cheating ex’s that can’t stop calling him.

I enjoy so much this audiobook, I like how Quaid and Aslan sound, the bantering!!!!!!!! Overall the mystery surrounding the kidnapping, the way they follow the clues, the investigation and the banter between them was addictive,it’s was a massive tangle of lies and drama, this is definitely a must listening!

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Mystery and fun

Somehow the story is more graphic on audio when Nick J. Russo narrates it. His narrations are followed and every time I listen to him it again proves how good his portrayals are. He is able to bring the right voice tone and mannerisms to each character. This is the first book in the series and does end in a sort of a cliffhanger. I’m not one who usually does cliffhangers but this author is on my watch list so I could not resist. I love this story. It has mystery, humor, relationship advice and is more than a little snarky. Having a baby taken from its carriage, at home, under the watchful eye of its mother, sure leads to a great mystery. There are plenty of twists and turns as the story progresses. There is also a lot about Quaid and Aslan being forced to work together. Their total opposite personalities really come out as they try to solve the mystery. Add the issue that Quaid is dealing with a cheating ex and Aslan has no problem voicing his opinions. This author is able to bring out the personalities so that they become real. Even though I don’t do cliffhangers, this author has made me a follower and anxious for the next in this series.

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excellent performance

listening to nick j russo bring quaid to life was so beautiful and satisfying I loved it so much

the voices were as perfect as I imagined them to sound like

I was absolutely captivated by the story and the narration

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Absolutely fantastic audiobook.

The Story :

Quaid and Aslan had me riveted from the very start. Quaid is such a standoffish grump and doesn’t care what others think of him whilst Aslan is the complete opposite.

Quaid is a detective in the Missing Persons Unit and Aslan is with the Homicide Unit, two units that pretty much loathe each other. A missing baby has the two detectives working as temporary partners spending many hours together following all the twists and turns the investigation presents. They do get to know each other a bit better but ignore the sizzling chemistry between them for as long as they can. It’s a slow buildup up establishing their undefined relationship with just a few appropriately timed heated moments.

The budding romance is perfectly balanced with a very engaging and intriguing mystery with plenty of side characters as suspects to keep things interesting.

The Narration:

Nicki J Russo has once again delivered a flawless performance and each character was easy to differentiate from the others. He kept the accents, tone and cadence throughout the entire book.

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Amazing narration and a good story!

Nicky and Nick! Just saying!
The story is a little lighter that Nicky usually writes, but still good!
Nick does an amazing job with all accents!

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