I really wanted to be eloquent with this review. I wanted to do the writing justice with a symbiotic review that really explained how much I adored this book. I wanted to do a lot of things, say a lot of things but the only thing that comes to mind now that I’ve got fingers to the keyboard is… FUCK. You know, that four letter word can be used in so many ways and I used it over and again while reading this. The romance? Fuck. The mystery? Fuck! The emotions? Fuck. The intimacy? Fuck… me. Yeah. That word is perfect and while it’s a bit vulgar, it’s what simply comes to mind when I think of what I just read.

I’ll admit, when I first read the blurb for this the nicknames are what caught my eye, I am a sucker for them but the reminiscence of one of my favorite couples who just happen to be in the FBI and partners while being secret lovers made me jump up and volunteer for it. I could not have trusted my instincts more with this story. It was amazing, just so good and while I mentioned the similarity to that couple from another series… the chemistry with Jamie and Adrian blows them out of the water. If you know what I mean, then you know what I mean. You know?

Anyway.

Told from the dual POV’s (Thank Gawd!) of Secret Agents Adrian “Irish” Talley and Jameson “Whiskey” Walker, we are brought into the story 8 months after a tragic accident took the life of not only Adrian’s partner but also his husband. Adrian is beside himself as he deals with his loss but when his sister in law and boss, arrives to give him his new assignment and new partner, Adrian is ready to get back to work though hesitant to be around Walker. Of course Adrian lets us in on the numerous reasons why he is hesitant but once they are on the same page together? I just wanted to smoosh them together and make them kiss. It was way too early but a girl can hold out for the right moment.

Let me get this out and say the UST with this book is palatable. You can feel it, you can taste it and you so want it to come to a point where they give in because you need it as much as they do. Phew… is it hot in here? Does anyone have a fan?

Again… anyway.

Adrian fancies the young and talented FBI Agent/Ex-Basketball champion/hacker that is Jamie and Jamie has had a crush on Adrian for three years but always respected his marriage. These two, they have chemistry that Walter White would envy (don’t roll your eyes at me!) but the respect they have for one another as partners and as professionals is what really matters. You can’t have a romance if you don’t have respect and these two, they are just so wonderful. I adored being in both their POV’s and I think it helped the story that we got both Adrian and Jamie as they not only worked the on and off the book cases but as they worked out their feelings for one another.

Oh Adrian, my poor fellow clueless ginger who hides his fire. What am I going to do with you aside from getting you drunk on bourbon so you can loosen up and ask the right questions? I loved your dedication to your marriage, to being a widower and honoring the memory of Gabe and the life you shared with him. I ached for you loss on your anniversary and yet turned into a puddle at what happens with Jamie. I felt the pull as you tried to fight it and boy your jealousy when it comes to Whiskey was off the charts hot. Dude, growling is always hot when you are basically marking your territory around your man. Just saying. But ultimately, you are an amazing and honorable man who loves family and fears losing what you love. You’ve lost so much already that I get compartmentalizing your emotions, but Jamie… he is so worthy.

Now, Jamie. Good lord how could I not adore you? You are the quintessential computer nerd/hacker with the natural athletic ability to make anyone jealous and yet you are as humble as pie. You are such a southern gentleman with amazing way of describing someone eyes that it’s no wonder men and women fall at your feet. It’s a shame the women don’t catch on that you are only into men but it’s a blessing that you get to spend more time with Adrian and make him really see you.

Wow. This one has me rambling but I haven’t even said anything.

Let me get to the point. This story is amazing. The writing is stellar. The romance is ridiculously swoon worthy and the mystery is superb. I was impressed by all the twists and turns both cases the men are working on and how they were all coming together. I loved reading all about Jamie and what he not only did for the FBI but in his own personal hacker time. The man truly is talented with those fingers of his and I loved getting more of Adrian’s family as well. Danny was amazing and Mel, as Adrian’s sister in law/boss/late husband’s sister was one hell of a bad ass woman. The action sequences in this were cinematic and the emotions had me on edge. I was either gasping in shock, rage or pure lust with this book and I loved every damn page of it.

As I write this, I realize that I have a stupid amount of highlights and notes and haven’t used a single one. I think I will keep it that way because I am not ready to share yet. Sorry. I am greedy when it comes to these two and all that they are becoming to one another.

I will say that this book blew me away and THIS. IS. ROMANTIC. So romantic and so action packed and layered that I can’t get enough. That end??? HOLY SHIT! My mouth hung open as I read it and knew I needed the second book immediately. I am a bit sad seeing as there are only three books listed – as of now - for this series as this is one I could read long term.

And before I forget, that title is amazing. OMG is it amazing. According to my late father, a second generation Scottish American, the single malt is a myth. It is in fact a blended whisky but a special blend from a single distillery. Giving Jamie two names referencing the amber liquor and giving him the two “lives” of the high profile basketball player and the hide in the basement cyber hacker FBI agent blending into the single man was done brilliantly. Adding in the title of Single Malt and you have me applauding. Bravo, dear author. Bravo
.
Wow.

Le Sigh and Le Unf.

I’ll stop my rambling and end with this.

Single Malt… Agents Irish and Whiskey… The Romance… The Intrigue… It was perfect. I want more. Hit me again, bartender.

Like a nice smooth blend, this one goes down easy....

M/M Romantic Mystery 4.5 stars Advance ebook from Carina Press

I really enjoyed the character interactions in this novel. There was a nice slow buildup before any hanky panky took place that made the main character's relationship so much more believeable. The slow build also contributed toward their developing relationship as work partners. Kudos to Ms Rreyne. The author has set the scene for a series quite well, that I for one plan to continue reading.

Posted to Amazon and Goodreads

Single Malt is a romantic suspense, that leaves us with a happy for now. I for one don't like HFN I love HEA and I guess I'm going to be picking up the next book to see where this series goes.

Layla is a new to me author, and I think she did a decent job writing a balanced romantic suspense, the chemistry between the main characters is there, but there was to much going on to keep me happy.

4.5 - 5... I'm really gonna like these guys ;)

I've got a few fellow readers/bloggers whose advice I take when they send me a book recommendation, no questions asked. That's why that even though Layla Reyne was a new author, when I was told Single Malt was a book that I needed to read, I jumped on it. One book in and I can already tell that I'll be pouncing on each book in the Agents Irish & Whiskey as soon as they're available.

Aidan was broken, but he had a huge support system, which included his boss/sister-in-law. Jamie's been attracted to Aiden for years, but out of respect for Jamie's marriage he never acted on those feelings. Of course things get complicated when they become partners.

I loved the connection between Aidan and Jamie, but there were a lot of other things going on in Single Malt. There was danger, mystery, guilt and strong family/friend connections that introduce a lot of great characters that I can't wait to get to know better. It basically looks like Agents Irish & Whiskey is going to have pretty much everything I love about romantic suspense.

Then there was the ending... let's just say things are going to get really interesting and the second book in the series, Cask Strength can't come soon enough.

Excitement, action, tension of every kind, and intense emotion and heat? Yes please...and thank you! I loved Single Malt-it reached out and snatched my attention right from the start and just would not let go. The characters were very well rounded and had plenty of depth, you can easily see there is so much more to these men. Then the case itself had me guessing all along, first thinking one person was the leak on the team, but then thinking it was someone else...only to go back to the first person again. It's the kind of story that really pulls you so far in you think you're riding along right alongside the characters.

I felt for Aidan from the moment I knew his story, and hurt together with him. Jamie was fantastic-incredibly intelligent and really amazing at his job, and he matches up so well with Aidan. The heat and undeniable chemistry between them is evident immediately, and it leads to some torturous sexual tension that adds to the suspense of the cases to keep you on the edge of your seat. And you know what happens when all of that comes to a head, right? Jamie and Aidan are completely explosive together, and even though Aidan tries to hold Jamie at a distance you can see exactly where the two of them will end up. The fun part of it is how the author gets you there-by dangling your heart from a crazy thin wire while the action just continues to get more and more intense.

Everything about this book kept me guessing, and with the bit of a cliffhanger at the end I am so far past hooked for this series! Aidan and Jamie together are not to be missed, it's a rollercoaster ride through every page and I don't think I could have enjoyed this story more. I'm already counting down the days until the next book in the series comes out. The only thing I was a tad unsure about was the role Aidan's brother Danny played later in the story when the climax of the case was playing out at the port since he's not an agent and that fell under my heading of "would it really happen like that in the real world?"...but otherwise this story was one of the most engaging, exciting reads I've had so far this year.

Single Malt was a fantastic 5-star read for me, and I highly recommend this to any fan of M/M romantic suspense-it will certainly add some excitement to your reading time! This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content.

To say this was a highly suspenseful read is putting it lightly! I love action with my romance and Aidan and Jameson gave it to me in spades. Their romance wasn't an easy one and it really caused Aidan pause with his feelings. It was an emotionally gripping book with some hot sex scenes. The tension build, whether it was sexual or suspenseful, was excellent. I felt on the edge of my seat until the very end. And what an ending! It is a bit cliffhangarish. This book is concluded with a few things undone but the ending is the opening for the next book and I absolutely NEED it! I can not wait to find out what these two hot FBI agents get into next. I know it will be an emotional roller coaster and hopefully the same amount of suspense. I highly recommend this book!

Single Malt is Ms. Reyne’s début novel and the first in her new Agents Irish and Whiskey series of romantic suspense novels. Lucky us! Both author and series show great promise and I enjoyed the book a lot, so much so that as soon as I’d finished reading it, I checked to see when the next one is coming out; I’ll save you some time and just tell you it’s May. For me, that’s not a moment too soon as I can’t wait to catch up with my new favorite crime solving duo. Before I go on, however, here’s a note of caution for cliffhanger haters: Single Malt features a pair (Aidan Talley, ‘Irish’, and Jameson (Jamie) Walker, ‘Whiskey’) whose relationship evolves over the three book series. There’s also a big case introduced that relates to Aiden’s past which unfolds over the course of all three novels, and isn’t resolved until the last book. So Single Malt is mostly focused on the evolving partnership/relationship between Irish and Whiskey, and the first case they solve together. It’s a fast paced suspense thriller that satisfied both my need for closure and desire for more.

FBI agent Aidan Talley is ready to get back to work eight months after losing both his husband and his FBI partner in a horrific car crash. The lone survivor, he’s convinced the crash was no accident and is intent on finding the evidence to prove it. Crushed with survivor’s guilt and fueled by his suspicions, Aidan is determined to move on and move forward. A concerned visit from his FBI boss – who also happens to be his dead husband’s sister – wherein she provides additional evidence to support his theory about the crash, and reminds him he can take more time if he needs it, only intensifies his desire to get back to solving cases. When Single Malt begins, it’s Aidan’s first day back at work and his focus is on a new case and new partner, Jameson Walker.

Walker left behind a promising NBA career and long-term partner to join the FBIUnwilling, as a professional athlete, to expose his private life to the public, or to find himself in a situation where his sexuality was an issue, he used his college computer science degree to become an expert in cyber crime. Though he’s spent most of his career hidden away in the FBI technology cave, he’s eager to prove himself in the field. When his boss, Special Agent in charge of the San Francisco FBI office, Melissa Cruz, informs Jamie his new partner is top San Francisco agent Aidan Talley (her brother-in-law), the man he’s lusted for for three years, he’s excited but nervous. In a surprise move, she also brings up Aidan’s history and her suspicions about the accident that killed Gabe and Aidan’s partner. Melissa asks Jamie to take another look at the evidence, but keep it from Aidan. Jamie’s willing and agrees, but he’s wary of keeping secrets from his new partner.

Aidan isn’t prepared for his instant attraction to his smart, handsome and younger (by twelve years) new partner, but even if he wanted to do something about it, he won’t. They’re partners – which makes Jamie off-limits. And anyway, even if he feels a spark every time they’re together, Jamie’s not even gay (He’s pretty sure. Ahem. Nice detective work). In dual PoVs, readers discover how intensely both men react to this first meeting, and how committed they both are to not doing anything about it. Yep. Sure. Anyway, it’s not long before the two men hit the ground running on their first case together – an investigation into a hacking attempt on a high-security biocontainment facility in Galveston, Texas. After working the case from San Francisco, it becomes clear they need to be on-site. They opt to stay together in a condo (yes!) that rather fortuitously is owned by Aidan’s family. Jamie’s cyber skills are put to good use as they race to solve the case and stop the hacker, and Aidan is kept busy interviewing and short listing their suspect list. When they link the hacks to a possible terrorist attack, it’s a race against the clock to stop the hacker and determine just who and why is targeting the facility.

The case Irish and Whiskey are tasked with solving is interesting (if a bit confusing), and Ms. Reyne masterfully drops little crumbs that eventually come together to reveal the master plan. The suspect list is complex, and the local FBI agents assigned to help them – one of whom has his eye on Jamie – only seem to complicate the case further. When they discover the hacking is linked to a terrorist Aidan has tracked in the past, and Jamie uncovers new information about Gabe, the car crash and it’s intended target(s) that he can’t share with Aidan, Ms. Reyne deftly wraps up one case and sets the stage for what’s to come. There are red herrings, explosions, mixed martial arts… it all works.

But you want to know about the romance don’t you? IT’S DELICIOUS and intense and the chemistry between Irish and Whiskey is off the charts hot. It’s also super frustrating. Aidan loved Gabe and being married, and after the accident, he’s vowed to keep all future relationships casual in order to protect himself. Afraid to fall in love again, and filled with guilt about his attraction to Jamie, he does everything and anything he can to maintain a purely professional relationship with his partner. Lucky for us, Jamie wants Aidan from the start. He’s sensitive to his partner’s past and knows Aidan’s fears (especially given their jobs), but he wants Aidan to admit there’s something special between them. The first half of the book is a s-l-o-w burn as they struggle to keep their distance except… Aidan can’t control his jealousy whenever Oscar (Jamie’s cyber counterpart in TX) flirts with his partner.

The tension is thick, and readers, it’s so hard to wait for Aidan to accept Jamie’s tender affection and desire. I found myself sneaking away to read because I just knew when they got together, it would be explosive. It was. It is. Ms. Reyne delivers on all that suppressed lust in a scorching (but tender – you’ll see) love scene. In fact, though I loved the casework and the relationship building, Ms. Reyne’s writing absolutely shines in these physical expressions of Aidan and Jamie’s feelings for each other. Irish and Whiskey are my new favorite romantic pair – and I loved how their career relationship mirrors and overlaps their personal one. They’re both so protective and intensely aware of their partner/lover/friend, it’s brilliant.

Single Malt concludes with Irish and Whiskey solving the Galveston case (after a nice frenzied last few chapters), but Ms. Reyne leaves us with a terrorist plot cliffhanger that has personal and professional ties to Aidan’s past. Jamie is still secretly investigating the car crash, and new discoveries threaten his relationship with Aidan. Aidan and Jamie are lovers, but have very different feelings about what their relationship looks like moving forward.

This is a tremendous debut from Ms. Reyne. I can’t wait for book two, Cask Strength.

Here is another promising series starter!

Jameson (Jamie) Walker, aka “Whiskey,” is an ex-pro basketball player who left the sport to get out of the spotlight for various reasons we learn about later on. He is also a master hacker who is working his way up through the FBI and now hoping to be cleared for field work.

Jamie is partnered with Aidan Talley (“Irish”) an FBI veteran who is trying to get back into the game after losing his partner and lover to the job almost a year ago. He is a bit reluctant to take on a new partner, but it quickly becomes clear that these guys are the perfect match, on the job initially, and then off the job later on, though there are quite a few obstacles in their way in that regard.

Jame has been interested in Aidan for years, and while the spark is definitely there, Aidan is clearly not ready for anything more, still feeling the grief and guilt which prevent him from moving on. This story focuses more on their building trust as work partners in solving the mystery and catching the criminals, an addition to digging a bit deeper into Aidan’s past and the crash that changed his life.

There is quite a bit of set up in this installment, who can be trusted, who is withholding information, etc. By the end, we have some of those answers, but definitely not all, and it looks like things are going to get worse for these two and their partnership before they get better.

This ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger in that the guys are in an okay place with their partnership and “relationship” but it is by no means solidified, and things could get a lot more interesting in the next installment, which I’m really excited about diving into. I hope the wait isn’t too long and that Ms. Reyne has a lot more planned for these two, because I’m definitely hooked on Irish and Whiskey!

Good intro to this author. Well-written, decent story that doesn't rely on sex (there's a tiny bit, though!)
This tale is well-written, has a decent premise, decent leads in the bereaved Aidan and the rookie field agent, Jameson/Jamie, decent side characters, and also a side story going on - after eight months, Aidan finds out that the accident that killed his husband and late partner, was in fact not an accident.

There's very little sex in the tale, though it's made clear that there's an attraction on both guys' part from the very start. Jameson has been watching Aidan from the shadows for over three years, but had never considered making a move as he Aidan was happily married, and Aidan has always been aware of him, but was never interested as he was happily married. What there is between them, from the very start, is a decent working relationship. There's respect, liking and both interact incredibly well of each other.

The tale is rather heavy on tech stuff, though most of it isn't too hard to understand, but the storyline is easy to follow. It's not a heavy read, and tbh, I'm glad of that, as tech is not my friend. It's also a slow burn romance, as Aidan hasn't gotten over his loss and there's no HEA here, nor really a hint of one, but the tale ends with the leads giving in to the attraction between them and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I think that perhaps their relationship is going to be tested by a secret that Jamie is forced to keep, at the request of their boss.

I'm glad to see that there's not too long a wait before the second book comes out in May 2017, and the third in August 2017.

ARC courtesy of Carina Press and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.

Aside from the schmaltzy titles with the forced association with whisky, this is a reasonably well put together tale. I enjoyed the twist and thought most of the plotting was clever, but the main characters didn't really resonate with me. I found myself not really caring much about the relationship. I can't pin down any one reason for it, as this is quite well written, but I guess I'm so spoilt now with the fantastic writing in the MM field that I can afford to be picky. Don't get me wrong, this is a good tale and if you read it for the mystery then you won't be disappointed, but I care more for sexual tension and that just wasn't there.

This is more mystery, whodunit than romance or erotica. We spend most of the story solving crimes and dealing with other people, while Aidan and Jamie circle each other. That Aidan doesn't even know if Jamie is interested in men means nothing happens until much later in the book.

As well, there is a cliff-hanger ending, but since the next book will be out soon after, that shouldn't be a deterrent. It's exciting and tense, and I found it absorbing and interesting.

I already have [book:Cask Strength|34033755] Cask Strength (the next one) approved from Netgalley, just waiting for some free time to get stuck into it.

If you like a strong mystery and don't mind having to wait for the romance, this might suit you. Read with thanks from publisher and Netgalley, Single Malt will be released on February 27.

The voice in this one is strong. ;)

Seriously, though, the characters and romance are fantastic. The build up of the relationship in this book is amazing, and that may be what I love most about romance. I really adore emotionally damaged characters, real characters, and this book delivered a couple that I really loved.

They're smart too, which also appeals to me. I really liked that neither of them were dumb-bunnies.

…and the chemistry. Smoking! Their overwhelming attraction for one another leaps right off the page and into your heart (and maybe lower).

It's the perfect start to a new series, even if I could've lived without the cliffhanger.

The only thing that didn't ring true for me in the series were the depictions of the FBI agents. They're more like the tv version than the kind I've worked with, but that's a me issue and not an entertaining book issue. Sometimes too much knowledge hurts reading enjoyment.

Single Malt is Ms. Reyne’s début novel and the first in a new romantic suspense series. Lucky us! Both author and series show great promise and I enjoyed the book a lot, so much so that as soon as I’d finished reading it, I checked to see when the next one is coming out; I’ll save you some time and just tell you it’s May. For me, that’s not a moment too soon as I can’t wait to catch up with my new favorite crime solving duo. Before I go on, however, here’s a note of caution for cliffhanger haters: Single Malt features a pair (Aidan Talley, ‘Irish’, and Jameson (Jamie) Walker, ‘Whiskey’) whose relationship evolves over the three book series. There’s also a big case introduced that relates to Aiden’s past which unfolds over the course of all three novels, and isn’t resolved until the last book. So Single Malt is mostly focused on the evolving partnership/relationship between Irish and Whiskey, and the first case they solve together. It’s a fast paced suspense thriller that satisfied both my need for closure and desire for more.

FBI agent Aidan Talley is ready to get back to work eight months after losing both his husband and his FBI partner in a horrific car crash. The lone survivor, he’s convinced the crash was no accident and is intent on finding the evidence to prove it. Crushed with survivor’s guilt and fueled by his suspicions, Aidan is determined to move on and move forward. A concerned visit from his FBI boss – who also happens to be his dead husband’s sister - wherein she provides additional evidence to support his theory about the crash, and reminds him he can take more time if he needs it, only intensifies his desire to get back to solving cases. When Single Malt begins, it’s Aidan’s first day back at work and his focus is on a new case and new partner, Jameson Walker.

Walker left behind a promising NBA career and long-term partner to join the FBIUnwilling, as a professional athlete, to expose his private life to the public, or to find himself in a situation where his sexuality was an issue, he used his college computer science degree to become an expert in cyber crime. Though he’s spent most of his career hidden away in the FBI technology cave, he’s eager to prove himself in the field. When his boss, Special Agent in charge of the San Francisco FBI office, Melissa Cruz, informs Jamie his new partner is top San Francisco agent Aidan Talley (her brother-in-law), the man he’s lusted for for three years, he’s excited but nervous. In a surprise move, she also brings up Aidan’s history and her suspicions about the accident that killed Gabe and Aidan’s partner. Melissa asks Jamie to take another look at the evidence, but keep it from Aidan. Jamie’s willing and agrees, but he’s wary of keeping secrets from his new partner.

Aidan isn’t prepared for his instant attraction to his smart, handsome and younger (by twelve years) new partner, but even if he wanted to do something about it, he won’t. They’re partners - which makes Jamie off-limits. And anyway, even if he feels a spark every time they’re together, Jamie’s not even gay (He’s pretty sure. Ahem. Nice detective work). In dual PoVs, readers discover how intensely both men react to this first meeting, and how committed they both are to not doing anything about it. Yep. Sure. Anyway, it’s not long before the two men hit the ground running on their first case together - an investigation into a hacking attempt on a high-security biocontainment facility in Galveston, Texas. After working the case from San Francisco, it becomes clear they need to be on-site. They opt to stay together in a condo (yes!) that rather fortuitously is owned by Aidan’s family. Jamie’s cyber skills are put to good use as they race to solve the case and stop the hacker, and Aidan is kept busy interviewing and short listing their suspect list. When they link the hacks to a possible terrorist attack, it’s a race against the clock to stop the hacker and determine just who and why is targeting the facility.

The case Irish and Whiskey are tasked with solving is interesting (if a bit confusing), and Ms. Reyne masterfully drops little crumbs that eventually come together to reveal the master plan. The suspect list is complex, and the local FBI agents assigned to help them - one of whom has his eye on Jamie - only seem to complicate the case further. When they discover the hacking is linked to a terrorist Aidan has tracked in the past, and Jamie uncovers new information about Gabe, the car crash and it’s intended target(s) that he can’t share with Aidan, Ms. Reyne deftly wraps up one case and sets the stage for what’s to come. There are red herrings, explosions, mixed martial arts… it all works.

But you want to know about the romance don’t you? IT’S DELICIOUS and intense and the chemistry between Irish and Whiskey is off the charts hot. It’s also super frustrating. Aidan loved Gabe and being married, and after the accident, he’s vowed to keep all future relationships casual in order to protect himself. Afraid to fall in love again, and filled with guilt about his attraction to Jamie, he does everything and anything he can to maintain a purely professional relationship with his partner. Lucky for us, Jamie wants Aidan from the start. He’s sensitive to his partner's past and knows Aidan’s fears (especially given their jobs), but he wants Aidan to admit there’s something special between them. The first half of the book is a s-l-o-w burn as they struggle to keep their distance except... Aidan can’t control his jealousy whenever Oscar (Jamie’s cyber counterpart in TX) flirts with his partner.

The tension is thick, and readers, it’s so hard to wait for Aidan to accept Jamie’s tender affection and desire. I found myself sneaking away to read because I just knew when they got together, it would be explosive. It was. It is. Ms. Reyne delivers on all that suppressed lust in a scorching (but tender - you’ll see) love scene. In fact, though I loved the casework and the relationship building, Ms. Reyne writing absolutely shines in these physical expressions of Aidan and Jamie’s feelings for each other. Irish and Whisky are my new favorite romantic pair - and I loved how their career relationship mirrors and overlaps their personal one. They’re both so protective and intensely aware of their partner/lover/friend, it’s brilliant.

Single Malt concludes with Irish and Whiskey solving the Galveston case (after a nice frenzied last few chapters), but Ms. Reyne leaves us with a terrorist plot cliffhanger that has personal and professional ties to Aidan’s past. Jamie is still secretly investigating the car crash, and new discoveries threaten his relationship with Aidan. Aidan and Jamie are lovers, but have very different feelings about what their relationship looks like moving forward.

This is a tremendous debut from Ms. Reyne. I can’t wait for book two, Cask Strength.

reviewed by AAR's Em Whittmann

I really liked this book. There are two investigations going on, with one of them off the books. The main terrorist investigation was really good. I had the mole wrong, thought it was someone else. It was an intense suspense story. And then you have to off the books investigation into Gabe, Aidan's husbands death and Aidan's FBI partners death Tom. It was ruled an accident but things come to light that show that it wasn't. Aidan was not only heartbroken but he was also seriously injured in the crash. So eight months later he is cleared for work and teamed up with a new partner in cyber crimes who is a real hottie. James/Whiskey has been checking out Aidan/Irish every time he sees him. And once Irish lays eyes on Whiskey the sparks start flying. But it is a slow burn. Aidan is still grieving for his lost love and feeling guilty that he is majorly attracted to Jamie. Why I gave this a 4 instead of 5 stars was Aidan always internally bringing up how guilty he is for feeling some thing for him. And when they finally hit the sheets, first thing Aidan does is think of Gabe and how he shouldn't be doing this. So what I'm trying to say is enough of internalizing these guilt trips and we are just going to stay casual when everyone knows it's not true. Also their boss is Aidan's sister-in-law who I think to partner them together for both of them to heal. Jamie went through some crap. Also, the story does end on a major cliffhanger.

Oh man, everyone seems to love this book and I just liked it. I mean, it was ok. Whiskey and Irish were fine characters, at least one of them was likable. The mystery wasn’t super obvious. I guessed the culprit, but I wasn’t 100% certain from the very beginning, which I am sometimes. The sex was fine. But none of it came together into something I just loved.

I was constantly confused why Whiskey and Irish were doing other people’s jobs. Both cases they work are someone else’s, though they seemed to be in authority. And when there were cyber attacks, it was Whiskey who countered them, despite the head of the institute’s cyber security—who would undoubtedly know that system better than Whiskey no matter what kind of crack hacker he is—sitting beside him.

I never felt I got to know either character well, especially Whiskey. Plus, I just never bought him as this ex-basketball star, super hacker, who could cook and sing, is courteous, and great in bed. He was too perfect. The man had no flaws, other than his mystery love for Irish. Irish was a dick from the very beginning. Yes, he had reason and all, but what about him was Whiskey so enamored with? I never saw it.

There were a few passages in which I didn’t know what was meant, but other than that the writing was fine. The editing seemed fine. The book was ok. It’s not that I’m even saying I disliked it. I’d read another one. But it was just ok.

Whiskey (given name: Jameson Walker) helped the Tar Heels win two national basketball championships and is now with the FBI in the Cyber Crimes division. Irish (given name: Adian Talley) is an Irish ex-pat and just returning to the FBI after the car crash that changed his life. His FBI partner Tom, and Aidan's husband Gabe died in the crash and Aidan is determined to find out what happened that day, and who is to blame.

But first Irish and Whiskey must solve a case involving cyber attacks on a bio-containment facility (think anthrax, etc.) in Galveston and race against the clock to figure out and prevent the terrorists' end-game.

The author does a stellar job of getting readers up-to-speed on all things cyber and "biohazardy" and keeping us informed and intrigued throughout. There are a good amount of action scenes and suspense and the pace of the book is fast .... and okay, furious. Juxtaposed with all this action is the relationship developing between Aidan and Jamie which is a slow and very hot burn, as each man needs to to work through past relationships. And when they finally come together, oooh, oooh it's worth the wait.

This is the first book in the series, and I won't say that the books ends in a traditional cliffhanger. Their case have been solved, but now new information is revealed that may bring Aidan closer to the answers about what exactly happened to bring about the deadly car crash.

I give Single Malt 4.5 stars and am looking forward to the next book in the series!

I was not expecting this book to be filled with so much mystery and intrigue. Single Malt is still a romance, but in this case, the romance isn't front and center of the book. There are two characters and the story is told from alternating POVs, Aidan and Jamie. Aidan has been through a lot in the past eight months. He hasn't been back to work at the FBI ever since both his husband and FBI partner were killed in a car crash, with only Aidan being able to walk away from the accident. Now, back on the job, Aidan is paired up with a new, and younger partner, Jamie from the cybersecurity department. Aidan is a field agent and he's been given the task to oversee Jamie's skills to determine whether or not he'd be good to work in the field as well, despite Jamie being a bit of a recognizable sports celebrity. Jamie had been a well-known basketball player who has helped his team win two national championships, with hidden skills at being a professional hacker.

I love that Aidan and Jamie have nicknames for each other. Aidan's nickname is Irish, because of his Irish roots, and Jamie's is Whiskey, simply because of his name. Jamie's been in love with Aidan ever since he set eyes on him three years previous, but their newly formed partnership is too new to risk anything else with so much on the line. Aidan's twelve years older, but you never feel like that there's an age difference between the two. These two characters are both intelligent, and it helps them in long run against the threat of breaches into a biocontainment facility. Aidan is afraid to get close to anyone again after the absolute devastation he felt after losing his husband and partner, but he's not completely ignorant of Jamie's looks or his less-than-subtle advances.

For the most part, I enjoyed this book even though it does kind of get confusing at times. There's a lot of characters introduced and everyone seems to be a suspect. The thing is, all these secondary characters aren't really fleshed out and I kept on getting them confused with one another. The ending especially is action-packed and the story is left open with a cliffhanger into the second book, Cask Strength.

I liked reading Aidan and Jamie's story. Single Malt is low on angst, and is a slow burn and steamy romance. This book feels more like a mystery novel, which is a genre I'm not used to reading, admittedly. However, the story is enjoyable and a quick read and I look forward to reading book 2 in this series!

***Thanks to Carina Press for providing me an ARC through NetGalley***

A thrilling plot with a cast that made my heart squeeze.

Aidan is still recovering from the loss of his husband and FBI partner when he is assigned a new case. And a new partner. Only his new partner is in the cave – the Cyber department - and he’s attractive to boot.

Jameson Walker, aka Whiskey, loves the anonymity of the cyber world after his high-profile basketball career. That changes when he’s assigned to Aidan and thrust out into the field. Not only does he have to be out in public, he is with the irascible Aidan and the unlikely attraction he feels for the broken man.

But Whiskey’s skills with the computer may be just what Aidan needs to discover who killed his partner and husband. As Aidan slowly begins to fall for his new partner, he has to ask himself if he can let go of the guilt or if it’s too much for him to handle.

Aidan touched my soul in this book. I honestly cannot think of another book that has done that - made me cry so easily and being so aware of how hard my heart hurt. Could I swoon any harder? I didn’t think so, but when Aidan opens up, when he finally takes a step towards healing with Walker, Aidan proves me wrong. Sincerity is that man’s middle name, and he has a hard time trusting or letting people in because he doesn’t want to get hurt again. Who could blame him? Losing so many people? So, the moment he lets Walker tiptoe past a defense – even for only a moment – it’s so special to see. And the language is downright poetic at times:

“What color is that?” Aidan asked, putting aside the fact Walker had seen through the disguise he’d worn for three decades.

“Autumn,” Walker answered, voice dropping an octave. “Like a pile of fall leaves back home, right after it rains. Dark brown swirled with brick red and flecks of gold.”

Coffee with a dash of Goldschlager, Gabe used to say. But damn if Walker’s description, spoken in that seductive drawl, didn’t send another flare of desire scorching through him.

Then there’s Whiskey. Aidan assumes the man, with little to no training, won’t be the right fit for the field. Boy, is he wrong! Whiskey can hack into anything and dayum, the skills on this one! He’s the sugar to Aidan’s sour, and he had the right amount of charm and cunning to get the task done. The smarts are high in this one. And the humor!

“English, Whiskey. Translate the technobabble.”

Jamie shot out a hand, snatched the pen from Aidan’s grasp, and broke it in half. “Say ‘babble’ one more time, and I’ll break something else.”

I’d also like to mention the nicknames – Whiskey and Irish. Whiskey is a southern boy and his full name, Jameson Walker, is obviously taken from the smooth, slow burn of whiskey. Then there’s Irish. Hallooo there. I need to listen to the audible for this one! Also, Aidan doesn’t realize until a third of the way through the book that Whiskey leans towards men. It’s hilarious and when Whiskey comes out, Aidan’s flabbergasted – and relieved – because holla! Whiskey knows just when to push Aidan for more and when to pull back. The balance is disarming to Aidan, and I love seeing his walls come down one-by-one.

Single Malt is book one of a three book series, so it does end on a cliffhanger. As such, the external conflict dominates while the romance is slower to build. The FBI cases take the forefront with the death of Aidan’s husband and partner always lingering in the background. I didn’t mind this. It was high-octane, and I was so invested with the case. It also allowed them to build a connection, revealing one layer at a time, and it made the impact of the romance all the sweeter.

Fun, jam-packed with action, and a slow burn. I can’t wait to pick up the next in this series!

I loved this. The characters were great the writing was sexy and the story line was actually really good. I have to know what happens next with the investigation. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for the rest of these books!

The number one reason I grabbed this book was Ty and Zane. I miss them and their (and their friends) shenanigans. The thought of another two FBI agents giving me something similar to that made the decision to give Layla Reyne a try a no brainer. There were zero similarities beyond that. I’m still very happy about having time to enjoy this book though.

Aiden is just now going back to work at the San Francisco field office after an eight month medical leave. Far too much has changed and it’s making going forward difficult. He’s still struggling with survivor’s guilt. The car crash that he survived took the lives of his husband Gabe and his partner Tom. Even though he’s going back to work with the FBI he now has a new role there. He’s no longer under cover and he’s been given a barely out of newbie stage partner whose previous career will never allow him to go under cover.

Life in the cyber cave has been good for Jameson Walker. He enjoys his job with the FBI. He’s damn good at it in fact. Moving to the farthest coast from his home has gotten him out of the shadow of being a basketball god. The opportunity to work with Aidan is a dream come true for him. Jamie has had a bit of a crush on Aidan since he started there three years ago. The chance to work alongside him and learn from him is one of those too good to be true moments. Now Jamie just has to get Aidan to see him as a man, a man who can be more than just a partner at work, and on not some rookie kid that Aidan seems to believe he is.

The only thing that annoyed me about Single Malt, the one thing that kept this from being a five star read… they’re both bazillionaires. I actually rolled my eyes at the three hundred thousand dollar car equipped with flasher lights. Although the super cool cars play into one of Jaime’s specialties well and makes for great banter between Irish and Whiskey and interesting reading for us.

The one thing I always worry about with series that follow the same couple for multiple books are cliffhangers. NO cliffhanger! I hate a cliffhanger and will stop reading a series until all books are out once they occur. There is a piece of info given to one of our guys at the end but it just lets readers know that Aidan and Jamie have some interesting investigations headed their way. Those investigations will of course lead to some intense page turning action in the next book Cask Strength.

I was also very pleased with how Jaime and Aidan didn’t drown me in their insta-love. Single Malt ends on a good note for them. It left me knowing that as the series continues us readers will get to see the relationship evolve while being entertained with these two men figuring out how to make them as a couple work while making the new work partnership continue to work with their personal involvement. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series will go.