Blind Side

4* A satisfying read, that seemed far more real than most MM tales I read these days.

So the title pretty much says it all - I liked that the guys felt real; had real feelings that weren't exaggerated or faux; that what angst there was had a foundation and was genuine; that they had actual, real problems that needed to be talked about because there was no easy fix, no mind reading, no 'let's fix it with sex'; and, that they were human, with faults and frailties, strengths and convictions, but when they had to say sorry, they manned up and said the words. I'm not saying that I don't enjoy a fluffy read sometimes, but there are times when I want my lead guys to be 'men's men' (and nope, this is nothing to do with toxic masculinity, simply to do with the feel/genre/setting of a tale) and to be organic and to deliver. Had these guys been fluffy types, it'd have stopped me from believing in them, their values, their convictions and they'd have been read-and-forget characters. I think I liked their flaws, their very human flaws, most of all but that they looked at themselves and weren't afraid to admit to mistakes and committing to doing better, even if the latter was left unsaid - it didn't need to be said.

I did think the tale was a little short and rushed, and the Ashe aspect at first seemed too twee, too convenient and a bit too much cat amongst the pigeons, but of course there was a twist in the tail, and in the tale, so yeah, a lot more than meets the eye. I liked how things got tied in to what's come before in these guys' lives, believably.

As I read back I realise that this is perhaps the most cliche review that I've left in a while, but it works, as did the tale. I've left the series seeing these guys as a couple that'll weather storms, as one that's bared their hearts and feelings and that has learned lessons and truths, and that they're going into their future solid and cemented. I kind of don't get the feeling that this is the end of them, because the way Josh Lanyon left things, they'll be onto the stuff they do best, and there might be an adventure or two left. Hopefully.

ARC courtesy of JustJoshin Publishing Inc. and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

I think I must have listened to the Dangerous Ground audiobooks narrated by Adrian Bisson more than any other and read them a few times too. What do I like so much about these stories? The romance ARC and the chemistry between Will and Taylor most of all. There’s a lovely scattering of steamy scenes between these guys. They are protective of each other and just gel, both at work and in their personal lives, despite their disagreements or differences. I like the compact and uncomplicated nature of these stories. They’re all told succinctly yet in enough depth. I love Josh’s writing style and the way she tells the stories through the characters’ words and actions. My heart ached for Taylor in Book 4 when he and Will spent time apart while he was stationed in Paris and the angst caused by the appearance of David Bradley, who stirred up trouble between them.

Why am I waxing lyrical about the previous five books? Because not only are they highly enjoyable reads but also an essential background to what happens in book six. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Blind Side, not only because it includes one of my favourite Josh Lanyon couples, but also because it refers back to events, issues and characters from the previous books. It also has a lovely dose of angst! My heart was in my throat at several points in this story. It stirs the emotions without unnecessary melodrama. The issues Will and Taylor face felt real and had a genuine cause. It’s not just about petty jealousy. These guys are, and have always been, protective of each other. I’m not going to rehash the plot. It’s not too complex and it serves as a vehicle for Will and Taylor to reassess their relationship and their future. I just wish the epilogue had been a little longer, with a final sizzling scene—but that’s me being greedy and not wanting to let go of these boys...men. Sighs…

I’m hoping...looking forward to the audio version (narrated by Adrian Bisson, please) to round off this super series.

Full disclosure - I’m a huge fan of Josh Lanyon’s work. Some of the first m/m romance and mystery novels I ever read were Lanyon’s Adrien English Mysteries and The Holmes & Moriarity Mysteries.

Lanyon’s novels never disappoint. Blind Side (Dangerous Ground 6) is no exception.

Blind Side features former Diplomatic Security Service agents and newly established security consultants Will Brandt and Taylor MacAllister who clearly have a history together. While that history is summarized throughout Blind Side, this novel is about murder, squatters’ rights, missing wills, and hearsay evidence. With so many twists and turns, nothing here is exactly as it seems.

Believing he is a murder target, Taylor’s first love, Ashe Dekker, asks for Taylor’s help and protection. One of my favorite lines in this book, though, was Taylor’s prophetic recollection that “Ashe and the truth enjoyed what one might call an open relationship.”

Ashe’s plea for help to Taylor, and Will’s past dalliance with Lt. Commander David Bradley who also features prominently in ‘Blind Side’, create the story’s tension and multiple misunderstandings between Taylor and Will.

Blind Side is the final book in the Dangerous Ground series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel, as I did. But because the protagonists have so much history together, I do wish I had read the series sequentially.

For that reason, the good news is that I now have five more Josh Lanyon novels to look forward to reading!

I received a review copy of ‘Blind Side’ from JustJoshin Publishing, Inc and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#BlindSide #NetGalley

This is the sixth and final book in the Dangerous Ground series, which is a MM mystery/thriller. The characters are well developed and the pace was marvelous. This book completes the story with a great ending. I have really enjoyed this series and the final chapter was perfect.

I enjoyed this completion of the series. It's been so long since I read the other books in the series that I had forgotten a few details. Most everything came back though and I quickly fell in to pattern with these two. The mystery was interesting and I really enjoyed their hea. I'm glad the author provided this wrap up.



**ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

You should do a re-read before starting this final installment. I plan do this asap and enjoy back to back full immersion. 😁 The more I read the more came back, sort of, but I still enjoyed this!

Taylor and Will just landed a big contract which will help them pay back their debt. Buuut, Taylor's college boyfriend, Ashe, shows up asking for help. Will thinks there is something wrong with Ashe and the situation, and doesn't want to take the case. This causes tension between them that is important for the ending.

There is a lot going on here and non stop activity. The story dealing with Ashe makes up most of the book and there is definitely something hinky going on. [A squatter has taken up residence in Ashe's house and attempted to set fire to the house after being kicked out, and tried to run him off the road. All according to Ashe. Taylor senses something and when Ashe is "playing" with a gun and points it at Taylor! the alarm bells start going off. But he stays on the case. The ending! Whew! The Russian mob stuff seemed to come from nowhere. And what happens with Ashe at the end hurts both Taylor and Will and really puts their relationship in jeopardy. It was very hard to watch them suffer. Thankfully they got their head on straight and got married in Hawaii!!!! (hide spoiler)]

Reading my reviews for the other books I can say I enjoyed this one more and I think when I do my re-read my ratings for the others will go up.

This is a great conclusion to the series but also sad to say goodbye. I would really like to know how they do with the business changes. Overall an exciting read and I hope to get the audio one day.

4 stars

4 Stars!

It was really nice visiting these men again and getting their HEA.

It took a REALLY long time for this author to bring the end to Will and Taylor's story. I had plenty of books to read while waiting, but still. Damn. In the end it is bittersweet. I feel like they could have had more stories come from them; especially having this new PI company. But some things must end, and unfortunately their story has. Sad.

I literally felt like I got emotionally gut punched when things turned south for this couple near the end. Holy emotional roller coaster. These men feel so much. Love hard. Are both stubborn as hell. But their connection is undeniable. They are the real deal and meant to be together. Chemistry steaming off the pages. I adore them. So for them to have a fall out there for a bit broke a piece of my heart. It's so strange how we get attached to these fictional characters, but atlas, we do. So we end up feeling the heartache with them. I was obviously relieved when things took a turn for the better.

It was a page turner and way too short for me. I'm selfish and wanted more. But I always do when it's a couple I love.

Happy reading dolls! xx

I have always loved Will and Taylor and they are two characters that really stuck with me. There is always plenty of action, suspense and feelings in these books. These two are such guys sometimes and the fact that they still have trouble communicating is at times frustrating but also feels realistic to me. This books runs you through quite a bit of emotion for such a short book but wrapped up in a way that I loved. A fitting end to the series but I will definitely miss these guys and I'm sad to see this series end!

I avidly read the first five books in the "Dangerous Ground" series and loved Will and Taylor. But having read the other books quite a while back, I was at a loss regarding past cases and character quirks as I dove into "Blind Side" and would have liked a bit more of their history and background in this book just to bring readers up to date. Eventually, enough came back to me that I finished the book satisfied with the status of Will and Taylor's relationship.

Along the way, I grew extremely frustrated by Taylor's inability to realize that helping his needy ex-boyfriend Ashe was NOT a good move and the bomb it threw into the midst of their relationship seemed an easily avoidable situation ... but then again ...... Taylor and his ..... Reasons.

The ending, though, went a long way to making up for the unnecessary Ashe drama and I ended the book with fondness for Will and Taylor and their struggles along the way to finally, truly, ending up together. 4 stars.