An excellent action-based paranormal police story with a side of romance. Dex was amusing but also compassionate as the newest member of the THIRDS. Sloane was tough as nails and a good leader. The internal struggle Sloane faced, having lost his previous partner and lover, seemed realistic, and the tension between him and Dex made sense. Sloane truly loved his former partner and wasn’t ready to move on. He also felt something strong for Dex who, fortunately, was very supportive of the grieving process that Sloane was going through.

I liked the light humor throughout the book mixed in with suspenseful action scenes. The side characters were also really interesting including all of the other officers and Dex’s family.

This is the first in the series with an HFN on both the romance and overall arc. However, I wasn’t frustrated with the ending, and it didn’t feel like a major cliff-hanger. I’m looking forward to the next story to see how the relationship between Dex and Sloane moves forward, to see if any of the other characters get a story of their own, and too see how the plot moves forward on the killer.

Originally reviewed for Swept Away By Romance. Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

BLURB

When homicide detective Dexter J. Daley’s testimony helps send his partner away for murder, the consequences—and the media frenzy—aren’t far behind. He soon finds himself sans boyfriend, sans friends, and, after an unpleasant encounter in a parking garage after the trial, he’s lucky he doesn’t find himself sans teeth. Dex fears he’ll get transferred from the Human Police Force’s Sixth Precinct, or worse, get dismissed. Instead, his adoptive father—a sergeant at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron otherwise known as the THIRDS—pulls a few strings, and Dex gets recruited as a Defense Agent.

Dex is determined to get his life back on track and eager to get started in his new job. But his first meeting with Team Leader Sloane Brodie, who also happens to be his new jaguar Therian partner, turns disastrous. When the team is called to investigate the murders of three HumaniTherian activists, it soon becomes clear to Dex that getting his partner and the rest of the tightknit team to accept him will be a lot harder than catching the killer—and every bit as dangerous.