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irina_29's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
irina_29's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
aubreysmith9412's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Aslan is still traumatized from the events of his last case. Quaid wants to support him as best as he can, but he's struggling with trying to find common ground with his new partner. As their professional lives hang in chaos, their relationship remains predominantly stable. Sort of.
Aslan is an alcoholic. He is over a year sober, and Quaid supports him how he needs. But Aslan is struggling, and there doesn't seem to be anything Quaid can do to help him. And in the midst of all that, Quaid and his new partner pick up one hell of a case.
I had a very, very hard time putting this book down. The case boggled my mind, and nothing seemed to make any kind of sense at all. I just wanted to get to the end as quickly as possible, to put all the pieces together. But I didn't do that. I took my time. The devil is in the details, as they say, and it was the minute details that really kept the mystery going.
The deeper Quaid and his new partner, Jordyn, got into the case, the stranger and stranger - and quite honestly creepily fucked up - it got. Three people, with seemingly no connections to each other, have all mysteriously disappeared for the same reason. And without going into spoiler territory, let's just say that the reason they've disappeared is extremely fucked up.
As the case comes to a close, Quaid learns to navigate his professional life with his new partner. While they had a very rocky start, things look very promising for them. And things look very, very promising for the future of Quaid and Aslan's relationship, too.
Aslan is an alcoholic. He is over a year sober, and Quaid supports him how he needs. But Aslan is struggling, and there doesn't seem to be anything Quaid can do to help him. And in the midst of all that, Quaid and his new partner pick up one hell of a case.
I had a very, very hard time putting this book down. The case boggled my mind, and nothing seemed to make any kind of sense at all. I just wanted to get to the end as quickly as possible, to put all the pieces together. But I didn't do that. I took my time. The devil is in the details, as they say, and it was the minute details that really kept the mystery going.
The deeper Quaid and his new partner, Jordyn, got into the case, the stranger and stranger - and quite honestly creepily fucked up - it got. Three people, with seemingly no connections to each other, have all mysteriously disappeared for the same reason. And without going into spoiler territory, let's just say that the reason they've disappeared is extremely fucked up.
As the case comes to a close, Quaid learns to navigate his professional life with his new partner. While they had a very rocky start, things look very promising for them. And things look very, very promising for the future of Quaid and Aslan's relationship, too.
ashlikes's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
evethingiread's review against another edition
3.0
I just wrapped up "Defying Logic," the fifth book in Nicky James' Valor and Doyle mystery romance series, and this one had me on an emotional rollercoaster. The story was deeply moving, particularly in the moments shared between Valor and Doyle. Doyle's struggle, stemming from his actions in book 4, dealing with the shooting of the young psychopath, felt incredibly real and relatable. It's Doyle's human flaws and his battle with his conscience that make him one of the most compelling characters I've come across in literature.
Valor's handling of the situation was commendable; he managed to be supportive while showing vulnerability and fear, all while caring for Doyle in the best way he knew how. The emotional depth in this book was astounding, and it touched me deeply. The characters' struggles and growth felt authentic, and I really appreciated how the author portrayed their relationship.
Doyle's gradual journey towards making a lifelong commitment to Valor was heartwarming. You could see him wrestling with the decision throughout the book. It was a lovely development in their relationship. Also, the character development of side characters like Ruiz was handled with finesse. The growth in their friendship, particularly the vulnerable moment when Valor asked if they were friends, was truly touching.
However, there were a few disappointments. I missed seeing more of Valor's ex-partner, Eden, and his dad in the last two books. It felt somewhat jarring not to have them more involved or explained.
Now, onto the mystery part of the story. The title "Defying Logic" suits this aspect because it felt lackluster, even pointless, for a considerable portion of the book. The resolution was really silly and was disappointing. The mystery was the weak point of the story, and if it weren't for the outstanding relationship development and character growth, this book might have fallen flat.
Despite the lackluster mystery, I'd rate this book a solid three stars. The romance and character development are exceptional, and the new partnership between Valor and his new colleague adds another layer of depth. While the mystery may have fallen short, the richness of the character interactions and emotions more than compensates. I'm eagerly awaiting the final book in the series, where Doyle is set to propose to Valor, but I'm also sad to see the series coming to an end.
Valor's handling of the situation was commendable; he managed to be supportive while showing vulnerability and fear, all while caring for Doyle in the best way he knew how. The emotional depth in this book was astounding, and it touched me deeply. The characters' struggles and growth felt authentic, and I really appreciated how the author portrayed their relationship.
Doyle's gradual journey towards making a lifelong commitment to Valor was heartwarming. You could see him wrestling with the decision throughout the book. It was a lovely development in their relationship. Also, the character development of side characters like Ruiz was handled with finesse. The growth in their friendship, particularly the vulnerable moment when Valor asked if they were friends, was truly touching.
However, there were a few disappointments. I missed seeing more of Valor's ex-partner, Eden, and his dad in the last two books. It felt somewhat jarring not to have them more involved or explained.
Now, onto the mystery part of the story. The title "Defying Logic" suits this aspect because it felt lackluster, even pointless, for a considerable portion of the book. The resolution was really silly and was disappointing. The mystery was the weak point of the story, and if it weren't for the outstanding relationship development and character growth, this book might have fallen flat.
Despite the lackluster mystery, I'd rate this book a solid three stars. The romance and character development are exceptional, and the new partnership between Valor and his new colleague adds another layer of depth. While the mystery may have fallen short, the richness of the character interactions and emotions more than compensates. I'm eagerly awaiting the final book in the series, where Doyle is set to propose to Valor, but I'm also sad to see the series coming to an end.
ashreads6's review against another edition
4.0
My poor Az. My heart just hurts for him. This one was impossible to put down....I needed to see how Az was doing and all that Quaid was doing to help him get through the trauma that was book 4!
Quaid has his hands full with helping Az get through all of his hurt and then to throw Jordyn in the mix.....UGH! I seriously hope she comes around .... she is rude, hateful, and frustrating. Poor Quaid has his hands full. Cant wait for their HEA, these two deserve it!
Quaid has his hands full with helping Az get through all of his hurt and then to throw Jordyn in the mix.....UGH! I seriously hope she comes around .... she is rude, hateful, and frustrating. Poor Quaid has his hands full. Cant wait for their HEA, these two deserve it!
colettejames's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
abrar2013's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5