Exasperating, the third book in Elite Protection Services, follows bodyguard/private investigator, Calder Seton and actor ex of Elijah (from Captivating), Robby Shaw. Unlike, the first book which was emotionally heavy and the second book which was closer to the Necessary Evils style, Exasperating will appeal to romantic suspense readers - those who like a bit of danger and investigation with their romance.

I liked Calder and Robbie. Calder was funny in the last book and got funnier in this one. His friendship with Linc was gold. Robbie mainly got my attention in the last one because Calder was busy paying him attention. He came into his own in this though, developing into a complex and intriguing character. Their relationship was sweeter than I was expecting but it was still as steamy as you'd expect from Onley James. Which is to say boiling hot.

I loved that Charlie and Wyatt continue to make their appearances. They're always ready with a quip at hand. I kind of want to see Charlie get a happy ever after.

The danger and investigation is interesting but doesn't play a large role. The religious plot played a very small role until the last few chapters - but it got kind of preachy at the end and I would've liked it better without. Still an easy, fast paced read with a decent chunk of romance, boiling hot steam, a bit of danger and a decent plot.

I'm kind of invested in this series now, so I'll definitely be picking up the next one. For this one though, 3.5 stars, rounded to 4. ( )

I'm 1/4 in, and realizing that the title fits this novel very well, for readers. DNF at 25%.

I thought for awhile there that I'd get more out of this novel than other reviewers did (while fully intending to skip the epilogue they warned readers about). But it's not us; the author fails to give the younger man any agency, much like what many authors do to heroines in too many genres. Robby is inconsistent, and Calder is terribly inadequately justified at a quarter of the way in, and so of course the story fails to hang together unless you're a careless reader. Of course.

If you're reading the series, you can skip this one. I hope the rest are better, like the first two. ( )

It was the better until now, I could actually feel some chemistry between them ( )

Robby

I loved Calder and Robby’s story. Calder is the ultimate alpha male and his love for Robby was everything. After meeting Robby in Elijah’s story I was hoping that he would get his own happy ending. ( )