Those familiar with the sexy duo of Tucker and Elliot of Josh Lanyon’s All’s Fair series will be thrilled to read the latest installment, Fair Chance. Picking right up where Fair Play left off, we find Elliot right back in the arms of the special task force brought together to nail the “Sculptor” serial killer and Tucker less than enchanted with the idea that his boyfriend is in the thick of it. But his former colleague at the university, where Elliot has since gone to teach after leaving the force due to his injury, is only interested in talking to our professor at large so the story opens with Elliot visiting the killer in prison to try and get him to divulge exactly what he did with the heads of his countless victims. While there, hints of an accomplice arise and a cold chill of alarm put Elliot on alert as he tries to help Tucker and the rest of the team decipher just what the Sculptor means and who could possibly have helped him commit his atrocities.

As the investigation seems to stall, Tucker suddenly disappears and Elliot is left wondering if he has somehow misread Tucker’s promise to always be truthful and open in their relationship. With the clock ticking, it becomes apparent that Tucker’s sudden vanishing act has not been voluntary and now Elliot has to go back into the lair of a killer in order to find out exactly what happened to his lover and whether he is in time to save him.

Please note that if you have not read the first two books in this series, this review may contain spoilers from them and therefore you may want to read those first before delving into this one. Tucker and Elliot have come a long way from the on again/off again lovers they used to be who spent most of their time trying to deny their feelings for each other. Now firmly invested in being a couple and pretty much living together, the two of them find themselves working the same case—Tucker as an agent and Elliot as a civilian task force member.

Tucker tries his best to be supportive of Elliot and his role on the team, but cannot help but show how worried he is that Elliot is not physically and mentally ready to be in the spotlight again. For his part, Elliot struggles to figure out if being a professor and teaching is really what he wants to do with the rest of his life for just a taste of being back with the FBI has left him desiring to be there in some capacity. Unfortunately, his gun shot injury has left his knee less than stable and the role of being an active agent is still out of the question. One of the sub plot points to the story is the idea floating that Elliot will be asked to return to do more of a profiling/investigative research position on the force and it leaves both men wondering if their relationship will suffer if Elliot accepts once it is offered.

Another subtle and rather sexy side plot is Elliot’s growing need to play the submissive to Tucker in bed. While very subtle and mostly seen via bedroom chatting while having sex, there is still an obvious need for Elliot to submit and it makes the sexual dynamic between Tucker and himself even more exciting and goes a long way in helping to cement the feelings that have been growing between the two men. But the real difference in this novel is how the two men crave one another’s company—how they are trying hard to include each other in every aspect of their lives and build on the loving and open relationship they have been striving for over time. This is where author Josh Lanyon shines—taking it slow and allowing her characters to build into each other’s lives gradually. Watching these two men make mistakes along the way and discover just how much they mean to each other is the icing on the top of a thrilling mystery that takes us on a fairly wild ride over the course of this story.

Fair Chance had a few moments here and there where I felt a bit more story expansion could have helped. For instance, the ease with which Elliot figures out the stray dog may lead him to where Tucker is seemed to just appear out of the blue and I felt needed some more time for Elliot to suss out and come up with as a viable plan. However, despite some minor flaws, this was by far the best installment in this series yet and I hope it will not be the last.

This third book in the series has a great pace and is a good follow up to the last two books.

Mills and Tucker are an established couple, although they still have things to work out like Elliot's job and whether he should return to the FBI. Their immediate problem is the psychopathic murderer that Elliot is helping to put away known as the Sculptor.

Although the Sculptor is safe in jail awaiting trial, Elliot begins to think he may have had an accomplice and when Tucker goes missing, the race is on to find Tucker and to find the accomplice.

The story is gripping as Elliott races against time to find Tucker. With the help of a stray dog Elliott knows he must do all he can to find Tucker, unmask the accomplice and prevent the Sculptor from killing again. The story has a frisson of darkness and a Silence of the Lambs feel to it.

It is a good solid mystery and I really enjoyed it even though I read the other books in the series ages ago. Elliott and Tucker are still working out what they want from each other and how their careers and lives might progress in the future. Both men have other family issues. Tucker has to visit his birth mother and get to know her, and Elliot needs to find a way to mend the rift between himself and his father. And then there is the Sculptor, a dangerous sociopath who has set his sights at Elliott and who is determined to get Elliott to dance to his tune even if he is behind bars.

And so Elliott finds himself in a race against time. A good story in a great series!

Copy provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Great dynamic between Elliot and Tucker, both professionally and personally in this book! I really enjoyed the way their relationship has built, it has been a true journey! The mystery is thrilling and kept me reading - sexy suspense and action I definitely enjoyed!

I like this author, a lot. This just wasn't the book for me. The cat and mouse thing didn't work the best for me here. I wasn't loving a lot of the book and I wanted more of the relationship than the suspense.

I love love love love Josh Lanyon and in my opinion the 3rd book was the best book
All the stars for this one

PERFECT!!
I love Josh's mysteries...but this one was extra creepy! and delicious and mysterious! It is my favorite in the installment and she ended it superbly! The tension you could just cut with a knife and all the twists had you biting your nails. Trying to guess the mystery accomplice was a mind game in itself. The balance between murder/mystery/romance was just perfection and i loved everything about this story!

I loved it. I literally stayed up late to finish reading it.

This is the third book in the All's Fair series. For whatever reason, I must not have realized this when I requested the book from Netgalley as I have not read the previous two. Regardless, I think you can read Fair Chance on its own and still follow the story just fine. I might have to go back and read the first two at some point though, as I really do like Josh Lanyon's writing.

Anyway, back to Fair Chance! Elliot Mills is an Ex-FBI agent who is still stuck in the midst of a case as the serial killer he helped catch, while in jail now, is still toying with him. The Sculptor won't talk to anyone but Elliot, and when Elliot goes to visit him in jail, he's given information that may or may not be true, but if it is true? It changes the game...and not in any way the FBI is happy about.

Special Agent Tucker Lance is Elliot's partner and none too thrilled that Elliot is still involved in the case. He wants him to be separate from all of this. However, when Tucker ends up going missing, Elliot is determined to do everything he can to figure out just where Tucker went and if it's at all connected to The Sculptor.

This was an exciting read with plenty of suspense and mystery. I thought I had an idea of what was happening, but then new information was revealed and things change again. I love this in a good mystery! It keeps the reader on their toes and that's never a bad thing. I thought the characters were well-rounded and wonderfully written. It was easy to get into Elliot's head and feel his fears and emotions, especially when Tucker goes missing.

While this book is mostly a mystery, there is a bit of romance and it all balances itself out well. Definitely recommended!

The third book deserves more than 5 stars

As I understand it, this is the final book in the All’s Fair series. Though I think Fair Chance is the perfect cap for the characters and was the best of the series, I can’t help but be torn because it left me wanting more. Fair Chance combined the excitement and suspense of Fair Game with the relationship insight of Fair Play, and I loved every second of it.

The third book starts off with an intense scene which grips the reader and didn’t let go throughout the book. Though the author reminds readers of the key details, I wouldn’t consider it a standalone. Combining the investigations and relationship issues from the previous two books, it brings the series full circle and leaves the reader with a sufficient resolution. As in the first book, the Sculptor case drives the plot in Fair Chance. Tucker and Elliot investigate new developments in the case. The new evidence builds on previous aspects and incorporates exciting twists. This was the fastest paced of the three. The intense action and suspense had my stomach flipping and dropping, and I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end. The third book also develops Tucker and Elliot’s relationship further. Relationship conflicts were a driving theme of the second book. There wasn’t as much romantic angst in this one, but there is a significant deepening of their partnership. The events in the book also triggered character growth for Elliot. Many of the conflicts arising in the first two books are born from Elliot’s reluctance to communicate. Once again, this becomes a key issue, but I felt the reader finally saw a gratifying change in his personality which ultimately resolved lingering conflicts within his personal and professional relationships.

I tend to not binge read series, but this is certainly one worthy of it. There’s no undo repetition in plots or structure. Rather the continued storyline kept me invested in the different crimes, the relationship, and the resolutions of the conflicts. The third book in the series delivered everything I could hope for: a satisfying conclusion for Elliot and Tucker and a whopping dose of suspense and adrenaline.

A fast paced, thoroughly engaging story!

Fair Chance is book 3 of the All's Fair series and it's the first book I've read by Josh Lanyon. I hesitated a bit before requesting this book for review because I hadn't read the first two books. I'm pleased to say that I never felt lost while reading it. But I'd also say that I probably would have liked it even better if I'd read the first two, so that I would have all the back story on the characters.

This is a fast-paced story but at 71,000 words (336 pages according to Amazon) it's not a short one. The story and writing kept me engaged right from the get-go and I didn't want to put it down. Elliot is enticed to visit Andrew Corian, "The Sculptor," in jail and before he leaves hints are dropped that there may have been a partner and threats are issued.

From the book's blurb we know that Elliot's life partner, Tucker Lance, goes missing and Elliot believes it to be orchestrated by The Sculptor. This story isn't just about Tucker's kidnapping, though. It's also about decisions that Elliot must make concerning his career.

I don't read romantic suspense that often although I enjoy it very much. A sign that a romantic suspense story is good is not being able to figure out everything before it's revealed; I didn't see it coming at all in this one. I'm very glad that I read this book and I will definitely look for more from this author.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

By this point in the series, Elliot and Tucker’s relationship is a done deal. The two are completely in love with each other, and worked out most of wrinkles in their romance over the course of the previous two books.

Tucker and Elliot just fit together so perfectly, and they really are two halves of a whole. I loved seeing how protective Tucker is of Elliot, and how he just understood what Elliot needed.

And though Elliot can be a bit hard-headed at times, he’s more than willing to make reasonable compromises if they will make Tucker happy.

Given all of this, I was lulled into a false sense of security when disaster struck. Seeing how close Elliot came to falling apart after Tucker disappears was gut-wrenching. But Elliot catches himself just in time and sets out to get Tucker back.

The mystery in ‘Fair Chance’ goes back to the Sculptor from book 1. At the end of book 1, there were still some loose ends and unanswered questions. Turns out that the Sculptor had an accomplice, who wants to make Elliot pay.

As always, Lanyon is a master at writing a murder mystery page-turner. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

I guessed the accomplice correctly around the halfway point, but the motives and connections between the Sculptor and his accomplice were a complete mystery right until the end. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.

The book ends on high notes. The mystery is wrapped up tightly, and Elliot and Tucker get their happily ever after. Book 3 is supposed to be the last in the series, but there’s room for more if Lanyon ever wants to visit these two again. I wouldn’t say no to that!

If you’re looking for MM books that balance entertaining murder mysteries with a sweet romance, give the All’s Fair series a try!

The stakes are high, the mystery arresting, and the romance fantastic in Fair Chance. Josh Lanyon hits all the right notes in the third All’s Fair book. Fair Chance was impossible for me to put down, and it was likely a terrible idea to start it late at night because I was up until almost dawn finishing it. But a book hangover is totally worth it when you have characters like Elliot Mills and Tucker Lance keeping you awake.

It’s almost impossible for me to describe how much I enjoy reading about Elliot and Tucker, so I’ll put it this way: they’re right up there with Adrien English and Jake Riordan (if you’re a Lanyon fan, you know that’s high praise). In Fair Chance Elliot and Tucker have more or less settled into their lives, but the Sculptor case is still infringing on their happiness. The Sculptor (the villain from the first All’s Fair book, Fair Game) is fixated on Elliot and being behind bars won’t stop him from exacting his revenge. What no one knew was that the Sculptor had an accomplice, and the clock is ticking for Elliot to find out who that is…because Tucker has gone missing.

Elliot’s been in danger and has had a personal stake in some form in each of the All’s Fair stories, but there’s an added tension in Fair Chance. Tucker’s abduction (not a spoiler since it’s in the book blurb) ups the intensity and had me glued to the book. While the mysteries are always engaging in this series, Tucker and Elliot themselves are what made me fall in love with the books, so it’s no surprise I was wholly invested in this story. Elliot is our eyes and ears for this series and he’s an interesting, complex, and flawed protagonist. I’ve loved that he isn’t perfect and have enjoyed watching him grow as a character. As for Tucker…I think he might just be my favorite of Lanyon’s characters. Tucker is dominant, protective, and emotionally open and vulnerable in a way that grabs my heart. He isn’t perfect either, but he’s a fantastic hero I could read about all day. I’ve loved watching he and Elliot grow as a couple – it’s part of what makes this series shine – and seeing how far they’ve come makes the story all the more rewarding.

Fair Chance is the third book in the All’s Fair series, and I highly recommend reading Fair Game and Fair Play before jumping into this book. The mystery and the romance are both far more fulfilling if you’ve read all the books in order. This book reads like the final in the series, but there’s just enough of an opening that I can hope Lanyon returns to Elliot and Tucker one day. I absolutely loved Fair Chance and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s an intense, exciting, and wholly rewarding romantic suspense tale.

Many thanks to Corina Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of Fair Chance (All's Fair #3) by Josh Lanyon. Even though I haven't read the first two books, I jumped right into the latest installment of the All's Fair series. I loved the interplay between boyfriends Elliot Mills and Tucker Lance. Good murder mystery excitement, a great secondary character in Elliot's Dad Roland Mills. I'm going back and reading the first two books which is probably the best review I can give. Thanks John Lanyon for creating great characters, suspenseful plot and a wonderful rescue dog in the middle of it all. 4 out of 5 for Fair Chance.

**Live 3/13**

Fair Chance was a long time coming. I feel like I read the first two books so long ago, and actually reread them last year because I was so eager for more about Tucker and Elliot. Getting my hands on Fair Chance, finally, was the most amazing feeling.

Reading other’s reviews, I get the feeling that people weren’t happy with Fair Play, which is just super funny to me since it’s my favorite of all three. There was something about getting Roland’s backstory that made it more enjoyable. That’s not to say that Fair Chance wasn’t good, because it so was. I love reading anything about Tucker and Elliot. I think they have a spectacular relationship, with how they’ve managed to work out their problems with compromise. I love that Elliot has accepted that Tucker needs to think things through on his own before he takes new developments to Elliot. I love that Elliot has recognized that it’s not the same as keeping secrets. I love that Tucker knows that Elliot is a great arguer and that he needs to get all his thoughts in a row before taking Elliot on. Personally, I think that Elliot gets that from Roland. I imagine that those two have monumental arguments. (I’m so crazy about Roland and Elliot’s relationship, though I’ve always been a sucker for a good father/child story.)

I have to also mention the addition of Sheba. I really loved that dog, and I love the idea that Elliot may end up keeping her. I struggled with the idea that she would wind up at a rescue after having been abandoned.

I also really enjoyed the mystery in Fair Chance. I thought it was perfect, bringing the story back around to The Sculpter and the idea that The Sculpter had an accomplice. Even though I figured out whodunit pretty early on, I still loved reading the story unfold and all the why’s involved. I love Josh Lanyon’s romance stories, but what makes her one of my favorites is the fact that she knows how to write an enjoyable cozy mystery.

So, I feel like I heard that this was it, that there wouldn’t be further installments of All’s Fair, but I really hope that’s wrong. There’s so much more to examine. Like, what’s going on with Nob and Roland. Maybe it’s Elliot in my head, but Nob gives me the willies. So, if you’re listening, please give us more. AFTER more Holmes & Moriarity, pretty please.

4* This, I think, is likely to be the final in this series, and I'm glad the leads got there. More would be nice, too, though!

This is the third book in the Fair series, featuring ex-FBI officer-turned-uni-professor, Elliott, and his ex-and-current(again) partner, detective Tucker. I think it's the last in the series, as it had a feeling that everything, not just the on-going storyline was being tied up.

So, in this, Elliott's biggest case, The Sculptor, decides that he wants to initiate contact with him again, which the local PD seems conflicted over, though Tucker, seems to be, for once, fairly relaxed. Just as things are about to get interesting, Tucker goes missing and several seemingly unconnected things come into the mix and Elliott is on a race to find his partner.

The tale wasn't as full-on as some in the series, but what made it for me, is that the guys finally, finally veered away from 'take care' as their version of 'I love you' to actually using the words out loud. That this came before Tucker went missing had meaning and importance, as did another little thing that only came to light once Tucker was found.

I'd always thought that these guys would find each other at a time in their lives when it was right for both of them, when their lives and careers would align, and all of this happens in the tale, which is what makes me think it's the last. But, the author's left it open for many, many more tales, ones which may ignite these guys' relationship in ways other than the ones I've seen so far in the series, and which would no doubt mean some more really good reads.

ARC courtesy of Carina Press for my reading pleasure.

A little confusing, as I didn't realise it was the third book in the series, but loved Elliott and Tucker! Off to read the rest now!

“Fair Chance” is Lanyon’s third entry in her “All’s Fair” series. Three is the lucky charm as I immensely enjoyed this book.

Tucker and Elliott are in a relatively good place as this books begins. With any relationship, there will be doubts, but Lanyon handles them masterfully.

The mystery will keep you reading this book. It was hard to put down many times. Between the plot twists and turns, Lanyon demonstrates she is one of the best mystery writers in the genre. This book appears to be her best yet.

Note: An ARC was received from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’m just going to point out that this is not a good place to start enjoying Josh Lanyon’s All’s Fair series. I did not know that when I began reading Fair Chance. Would this book have been more enjoyable had I read the first two in the series, yes? Did I still enjoy the third installment in an ongoing series, yes? Apparently there was some tidy wrap up of the suspenseful aspect in each of the previous two books but still a little something that allowed the drama to still plague Elliot and Tucker in this installment.
I have to go back and read Fair Game and Fair Play. I’m wildly curious about how Andrew Corian and Elliot’s paths crossed to begin with. Corian’s obsession with screwing with Elliot’s life is still very present in Fair Chance. I also want to know how Elliot and Tucker met and eventually fell in love. There was so much missing for me but I still enjoyed the suspense and action that was the overall story of this book.
Elliot is on the FBI task force pertaining to the Sculptor. The other law enforcement officials have made it clear that they would prefer to work without the professor. Tucker would even like to see his lover off of the task force and protected from harm. The Sculptor’s fixation on Elliot keeps him there though. Corian isn’t the only one messing with Elliot’s life though. There is a blogger that is teasing Elliot with a possible lead in exchange for certain favors and a would be stalker that is possibly upset about a grade.
I do not believe that this is all that readers will see out of Elliot and Tucker. Elliot is about to embark on a different career journey than that of a Puget Sound University professor. This is something that will definitely be new and exciting to follow. There were several mentions of a cold case that Elliot had worked before he was shot and taken out of field work. That same case is now sitting on Tucker’s desk in their home. Hopefully between now and when the next book is published in the All’s Fair series I will have had time to go back and read the first two books.

Its Josh, legit she could write anything and we all would love it. There is just something amazing this author does with her words that have us captivated.

This was a stunner. I loved it. I read the first in the series some years ago but I'd forgotten all of the story except the romance side. I haven't read the second. Here the characters are still dealing with the fallout from the old case. A serial killer they caught has an accomplice who's still free - or is that a lie? Elliot and Tucker are on shifting ground as they try to figure out where the danger lies.

This is a great mystery with real depth in the writing. The characterizations, descriptions and action scenes are all perfect. I loved Sheba the dog too!