3.5 Stars

Ahhh another Mary Calmes... I've only read her Matter of Time series and the quasi spinoff [b:All Kinds of Tied Down|22402178|All Kinds of Tied Down|Mary Calmes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1401888434s/22402178.jpg|41827079], so these characters are all interwoven and very familiar to me. This particular spinoff features Jory's ex Aaron Sutter, whom we last saw being set up with cop Duncan Stiel in [b:But For You|16007018|But For You (A Matter of Time #6)|Mary Calmes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356199874s/16007018.jpg|21772346]. Of course they hit if off immediately - it IS insta-love on a grand scale but are you suprised?? You shouldn't be.

However unlike the initial Sam and Jory stories, this was pretty high in the smex with just a touch of kink. AND unlike AKoTD, we get it immediately and throughout. The over the top ridiculousness and the hijinks were not as blatant but just enough to lend a little hilarity and fun.

Aaron is a successful and powerful billionaire, always in control.
Duncan is a badass homicide detective, always dominant.

If the idea of two alpha men who are used to being in charge in and out of bed but let their guard down, show their vulnerabilities only to each other, flips your switch - then this is the perfect story for you. To make the pot that much sweeter, I would say that this was the hottest Calmes book I've read to date. ( )

It's funny what affects you when you read. It's different from one reader to the next, too.

For me, violent scenes written the way Calmes writes them affect me more strongly than the sex scenes, likely because bad things do affect us more deeply. And man, Duncan takes some hits. Also, while in character, their sex scenes are typical -- it's the dialogue I enjoyed, and their dynamic. They're really great together, sparking and retreating and pulled and pushed until finally they get to their HEA. If you've read the series, you know exactly why Duncan's perfect for Aaron. Not easy. Just perfect. ( )

I really loved this book! It was great to see Sam a little in this book and it was great to see Aaron not be such a jerk. He just fit so well with Duncan and the two of them together were absolutely perfect in my mind. I loved how dominant Aaron has to be in his world (and always has had to be), yet watch him finally find someone he could trust to break down with. Excellent! ( )

My first book by Mary Calmes and might I say, she has a new fan in me.

I love the banter between Aaron and Duncan. How two hot Alpha males can be vulnerable when they finally find "the one". Both are needy and scarred by their lives. They are just looking for someone to love and need them.

But oh my gosh, Aaron would never make it for long in law enforcement. ...and an undercover assignment...NO WAY! Although I would love to see what the heck his scary billionaire face looks like. The secondary cast of characters....they too have their own character and life. They are not just for decoration.

I also appreciate the way MC alludes to the fact that while times and attitudes are changing not everyone is so accepting of same sex couples....but you read of love stories like this one and wonder, how could anyone look down on this?

So yes, my first book by Mary but most certainly not my last. ( )

Cops, romance, cops, sex, cops. It's Mary Calmes, what's not to like? ( )