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Maverick Insurance Mysteries #1
No Good Deed
Three years ago, Perry Atherton tried to play the hero. Turns out real life isn’t like the movies. Instead of saving someone’s life, his reward was head trauma and a blown-out knee. Perry’s dream of becoming an astrophysicist was obliterated along with his memories of that tragic night. Left with a poor memory, painful migraines, and a constant limp, he’s grateful for his custodial position at Maverick Insurance.
Perry can’t remember. Detective Nathanial Harmon can’t forget. The first night Nate met Perry is seared into his brain—Perry lying on his back, the colorful sequences of his Pride shirt glittering in the otherwise dark alley. Perry’s ragged breaths, swollen face, and hemorrhaging body their first introduction.
Perry and Nate’s futures are about to collide again—the instigator: a note Perry was never meant to find, let alone read. A murderer lurks in the office building Perry cleans, and a nameless employee appears to be next on their hit list.
Perry’s not sure he’s ready to get involved again. He tried to play Good Samaritan before with horrific consequences. But the note screaming murder won’t let his conscience remain quiet and convinces him to tempt the phrase “No good deed . . .” again.
No Good Deed is the first book in the Maverick Insurance Mystery Series. No Good Deed is an m/m contemporary mystery romance and involves a man trying to make the best of being on Karma's bad side, the value of true friendship, demanding four-legged fur balls, the pros and cons of listening to your conscience, and finding love where you least expect. No Good Deed has a HFN ending with no cheating.
Possible trigger warnings include gun violence, past violent trauma, and murder.
Perry can’t remember. Detective Nathanial Harmon can’t forget. The first night Nate met Perry is seared into his brain—Perry lying on his back, the colorful sequences of his Pride shirt glittering in the otherwise dark alley. Perry’s ragged breaths, swollen face, and hemorrhaging body their first introduction.
Perry and Nate’s futures are about to collide again—the instigator: a note Perry was never meant to find, let alone read. A murderer lurks in the office building Perry cleans, and a nameless employee appears to be next on their hit list.
Perry’s not sure he’s ready to get involved again. He tried to play Good Samaritan before with horrific consequences. But the note screaming murder won’t let his conscience remain quiet and convinces him to tempt the phrase “No good deed . . .” again.
No Good Deed is the first book in the Maverick Insurance Mystery Series. No Good Deed is an m/m contemporary mystery romance and involves a man trying to make the best of being on Karma's bad side, the value of true friendship, demanding four-legged fur balls, the pros and cons of listening to your conscience, and finding love where you least expect. No Good Deed has a HFN ending with no cheating.
Possible trigger warnings include gun violence, past violent trauma, and murder.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2023
110 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
M.J. May
21 books269 followersI've been a veterinarian for almost twenty years and have recently added published author to my resume. I've been writing for over fifteen years, most of those stories languishing on my computer. A couple of years ago my fear of never trying to publish my stories overcame my fear of failure. The result is my first book, "Sow What You Reap". It is the first in the Reaping Covetous series. The next book, "Dead Women Tell Tales" should be out by the end of October 2021.
I love supernatural, urban fantasy, paranormal, and mystery genres. I write both M/F and M/M oriented stories.
Please don't hesitate to ask me a question or two.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my stories. I know I love telling them.
MJ May
I love supernatural, urban fantasy, paranormal, and mystery genres. I write both M/F and M/M oriented stories.
Please don't hesitate to ask me a question or two.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my stories. I know I love telling them.
MJ May
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
March 4, 2024
An excellent start to the series!
Idk about anyone else but I am constantly craving a contemporary mm-romance series that follows the same couple/story in every book. Maybe it's just my selections, but I find that most of the books I read in this particular genre tend to have a different couple featured in each book - and while that's always fun and refreshing, I adooooore a slower burn where we get to see more of the same couple in depth. We all love a one-and-done, but sometimes it feels sooo good to take your time with some literary foreplay.
And that's exactly what this book is: foreplay - for both the MCs and the plot itself. While the plot has legs to stand on its own, its definitely set up as a HFN that hints (read: screams) at much bigger things to come. It's slower going with our MCs relationship development too and truly, I love it. Because of how their Perry & Nate's relationship started and how it's building, it makes sense for them to take their time growing their relationship/learning each other and it makes the story all the sweeter and will (hopefully) make the inevitable spice all the hotter.
I'm actually not usually drawn to mystery stories, but because of the inclusion of most of my favorite tropes, it made this waaay more palatable for me than a mystery/thriller normally would.
As far as the writing goes, I enjoyed the simplicity of it but I also think it made the story slightly predictable and, at times, a little repetitive. I don't mind a bit of predictability in a mystery, though; especially when it's clear that the reader should intuit more than the protagonists and that's part of what makes it thrilling. But I will say, there was a slight naiveté in Perry that encroached juuust past the line of being charmingly naive into more "You can't be this stupid" territory. But also, fuck it; it's for the plot - I get it and I'm not mad at it.
All in all, like I said, a wonderful start to the series! I think there's a perfect balance between the relationship building and the background plot and I can't WAIT to see where both will take our MCs in the next book!
Idk about anyone else but I am constantly craving a contemporary mm-romance series that follows the same couple/story in every book. Maybe it's just my selections, but I find that most of the books I read in this particular genre tend to have a different couple featured in each book - and while that's always fun and refreshing, I adooooore a slower burn where we get to see more of the same couple in depth. We all love a one-and-done, but sometimes it feels sooo good to take your time with some literary foreplay.
And that's exactly what this book is: foreplay - for both the MCs and the plot itself. While the plot has legs to stand on its own, its definitely set up as a HFN that hints (read: screams) at much bigger things to come. It's slower going with our MCs relationship development too and truly, I love it. Because of how their Perry & Nate's relationship started and how it's building, it makes sense for them to take their time growing their relationship/learning each other and it makes the story all the sweeter and will (hopefully) make the inevitable spice all the hotter.
I'm actually not usually drawn to mystery stories, but because of the inclusion of most of my favorite tropes, it made this waaay more palatable for me than a mystery/thriller normally would.
As far as the writing goes, I enjoyed the simplicity of it but I also think it made the story slightly predictable and, at times, a little repetitive. I don't mind a bit of predictability in a mystery, though; especially when it's clear that the reader should intuit more than the protagonists and that's part of what makes it thrilling. But I will say, there was a slight naiveté in Perry that encroached juuust past the line of being charmingly naive into more "You can't be this stupid" territory. But also, fuck it; it's for the plot - I get it and I'm not mad at it.
All in all, like I said, a wonderful start to the series! I think there's a perfect balance between the relationship building and the background plot and I can't WAIT to see where both will take our MCs in the next book!
July 6, 2023
So .... this was quite an interesting story 🤔 ... and I have no idea how to really review it without spoilers.
The mystery and the background are quite well done, and I really enjoyed it .. although some things were easier figured out than expected, due to the uncertainty, the level of suspense was quite high .
The relationship was also well done, except the part of Nates' first attraction. I am still not sure if it was love-at-first-sight or obsession and if it was creepy or sweet.
Additionally, the writing style of the author is interesting but sometimes a bit too long winded.
Nevertheless, the story was really well done and I am looking forward to the next book .
An ARC was provided by GRR and I am happy to give my honest opinion
The mystery and the background are quite well done, and I really enjoyed it .. although some things were easier figured out than expected, due to the uncertainty, the level of suspense was quite high .
The relationship was also well done, except the part of Nates' first attraction. I am still not sure if it was love-at-first-sight or obsession and if it was creepy or sweet.
Additionally, the writing style of the author is interesting but sometimes a bit too long winded.
Nevertheless, the story was really well done and I am looking forward to the next book .
An ARC was provided by GRR and I am happy to give my honest opinion
May 5, 2024
DNF, stopping at 36%. This was published before it was ready to be seen.
I really wanted to like it, but there is a distressing amount of repetition. It's all too clear that it was self-published, and that, if an editor was hired, they weren't very good at it. There's also telling where showing would've been much more effective, and some wrong word choices. But the funniest so far was 'morge' rather than 'morgue' -- in all-caps, no less. How the heck do you miss that one?
The MC became tiresome, which is a disservice to trauma victims. The cop is too simple, which is inexpert characterization. Somehow, in a supposedly m/m story, the women were more interesting, at least in the part I read.
I hope the author improved while writing the rest of this series, but I'm not going to find out.
I really wanted to like it, but there is a distressing amount of repetition. It's all too clear that it was self-published, and that, if an editor was hired, they weren't very good at it. There's also telling where showing would've been much more effective, and some wrong word choices. But the funniest so far was 'morge' rather than 'morgue' -- in all-caps, no less. How the heck do you miss that one?
The MC became tiresome, which is a disservice to trauma victims. The cop is too simple, which is inexpert characterization. Somehow, in a supposedly m/m story, the women were more interesting, at least in the part I read.
I hope the author improved while writing the rest of this series, but I'm not going to find out.
no
March 24, 2023Tried the sample. The blurb sounds good, but the writing didn't work for me :/
March 9, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The saying “No good deed goes unpunished…” rings true here as we meet Perry and learn his story. His life was good and his studies complemented his highly mathematical brain, but that was the old Perry and nothing is easy for Perry any longer. We see Perry’s struggles from the start—he has debilitating migraines, a permanent limp, and holes in his memory. His brain doesn’t work like it used to, but he is grateful for his job, his understanding boss, and the great health insurance. His boss, Malcolm, takes a personal interest in Perry, but there are red flags all over Maverick Insurance from the start.
The story is not over, there are plenty of clues to keep you reeled in, and the book ends on a “to be continued” note with another book, Goes Unpunished, due out this summer. I am fully invested in Perry at this point, and I will be looking out for the continuation of his story, as well as his continued relationship with Nate.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
The saying “No good deed goes unpunished…” rings true here as we meet Perry and learn his story. His life was good and his studies complemented his highly mathematical brain, but that was the old Perry and nothing is easy for Perry any longer. We see Perry’s struggles from the start—he has debilitating migraines, a permanent limp, and holes in his memory. His brain doesn’t work like it used to, but he is grateful for his job, his understanding boss, and the great health insurance. His boss, Malcolm, takes a personal interest in Perry, but there are red flags all over Maverick Insurance from the start.
The story is not over, there are plenty of clues to keep you reeled in, and the book ends on a “to be continued” note with another book, Goes Unpunished, due out this summer. I am fully invested in Perry at this point, and I will be looking out for the continuation of his story, as well as his continued relationship with Nate.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
June 14, 2023
2.5 rounded down because of the writing and because it did that awful John Grisham/Dan Brown thing where a chapter ends with "and then all was revealed to our protagonist" but it's another chapter or two before it's revealed to the reader, which is just a lazy, cheap way to build suspense.
Rough writing but smooth
mystery. Liked the MCs,
might read more. Might not.
Rough writing but smooth
mystery. Liked the MCs,
might read more. Might not.
March 20, 2023
I really love MM books that are all about the story with little to no sex in them.
Perry gets a job at an insurance company as a janitor and meets up again with the detective who saved his life. Their relationship was still in the very early stages at the end of book 1, but it was cute.
I did guess about the company very early on but it didn't detract from the story. I am intrigued how book 2 will proceed
Perry gets a job at an insurance company as a janitor and meets up again with the detective who saved his life. Their relationship was still in the very early stages at the end of book 1, but it was cute.
I did guess about the company very early on but it didn't detract from the story. I am intrigued how book 2 will proceed
June 23, 2023
Mystery and slow burn romance with interesting characters, main as well as secondary. Maybe Perry is a bit too naive. Sadly, to me the story partly dragged and parts of the mystery I found predictable. What I didn't expect was the cliffhanger like ending with an bigger picture still to solve. It left me dissatisfied. Not sure right now if I'm going to read the next installment.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
May 22, 2025
OK read. Mystery part was made a little too obvious, but I'd been expecting that given some of this author's other books. The romance was a little too instant for me, and I wish the feelings build had been developed with a bit more nuance. The concept here was interesting, but execution wasn't quite what I'd have wished. I'll keep reading, but I wasn't blown away.
April 11, 2023
Enjoyable!
February 3, 2025
“You’re cute, Perry. You’re even cuter when you’re an idiot.”
Willy described this book in a nutshell. A clueless idiot that the reader is supposed to care for because he is deemed cute.
There is barely any romance, or sweet moments between our MC’s. Just lots of migraines, scar touching, and office cleaning.
Willy described this book in a nutshell. A clueless idiot that the reader is supposed to care for because he is deemed cute.
There is barely any romance, or sweet moments between our MC’s. Just lots of migraines, scar touching, and office cleaning.
November 16, 2023
I don't k ow what it is about her writing but I'm obsessed. Nothing will beat Perfectly Imperfect Pixie but this was so good. I adored the characters, and their relationships. I do think Nate's initial obsession is a little bit weird but eh. Some might find it romantic. The plot was predictable but that's fine by me. How we got where we were going is what matters to me. I'm divi g right in to book 2!
May 19, 2024
I thought this was an okay read, I kind of saw the twist coming. The main characters were cute and I liked their relationship.
March 21, 2024
This was a surprisingly good story. Slow burn no steam cute romance between two likable MCs. The investigative process was decent, the mystery was nice too but the plot twist in the end was so wild. I did not see that coming. It made what I read before feel different. I liked that. I will continue with the series.
February 17, 2023
This is an intriguing and enjoyable read with a well thought out plot, two wonderful main characters supported by interesting side characters and a HFN ending.
Perry endured a life changing moment three years prior that left him with lasting injuries. Despite the injuries he works as a custodian for an insurance company. Circumstances have detective Nate entering Perry’s life for the second time as he was first on scene when Perry’s life changed. With a possible murderer working at the insurance company, Nate and his partner working the case, a list of possible suspects and a growing attraction between Perry and Nate there’s certainly enough to to keep the reader turning the pages.
This is a no heat romance that includes some very sweet and thoughtful dates that ends in a HFN situation for Perry and Nate. The overall story arc will continue in the next instalment and no doubt some loose threads will be neatly tied up.
Perry endured a life changing moment three years prior that left him with lasting injuries. Despite the injuries he works as a custodian for an insurance company. Circumstances have detective Nate entering Perry’s life for the second time as he was first on scene when Perry’s life changed. With a possible murderer working at the insurance company, Nate and his partner working the case, a list of possible suspects and a growing attraction between Perry and Nate there’s certainly enough to to keep the reader turning the pages.
This is a no heat romance that includes some very sweet and thoughtful dates that ends in a HFN situation for Perry and Nate. The overall story arc will continue in the next instalment and no doubt some loose threads will be neatly tied up.
March 18, 2023
While I enjoyed this book at times it definitely was kind of a rip off. My guess is that it was supposed to be the start of a series but the author decided to let this story end without much of an explanation except a short epilogue and the M/M romance which was really sweet between a cop and a badly injured victim of a crime just kind of ended. Hope they lived happily ever after. It wasn't much of an M/M romance, no on page steam, just a kiss here and there.
February 27, 2023
Perry Atherton's life was changed forever 3 years ago. He was a college student studying to be a astrophysicist with the insurance money his parents left him. He was out with friends and heading home after a night of clubbing when he heard a scream in a alley and went to investigate. Hi friend Gayle ran to get a police officer to help and his other friends just ran away. All Perry got for his good deed was being shot in the knee and his head bashed in. Officer Nate Harmon was sitting in his car when a young lady banged on his window asking for help. When he got to the alley he found a dead man and Perry laying there bleeding out. Nate ended up visiting Perry in the hospital while he was in a coma and only stopped when his promotion was threatened but he never really forgot Perry. Perry finally woke fro his coma with no memory of what happened or of Nate. He had to learn to walk again and suffered fro knee pain and debilitating migraines. His dream of being an astrophysicist is gone, and most of the money his parent's left him went to hospital bills. He is happy to have a job working for the Maverick Insurance company, " the last insurance company you will ever need" as a custodian at night. His boss Malcolm, who is also the head of HR is really nice to him and Delia one of the agents is kind of a friend. Perry's only other friend is Gayle who was the only friend to stick by him after his incident. However, one night Perry decides to put a note in the emotional wellness box in the break room stating his frustrations but accidentally pulls out another note taking about murdering someone who works at Maverick Insurance. Perry copies the note and puts it back in the box. He shows the copied note to his friend Gayle who calls in an anonymous tip to the police. The case is assigned to Detective Nate Harmon and his partner Nat. When they go to Maverick Insurance, Nate is shocked to see Perry working there and sets off one of Perry's migraines. Nate soon figures out that Perry found the note and that Gayle was the anonymous tipster. Perry thinks that maybe the note was a joke until one of the executives Greg Granger shows up dead of apparent "suicide". However, a tax screen shows Rohyphnol in his system which leads to homicide. Perry and Nate grow closer and soon start dating even though it is not advised with an ongoing investigation. We soon learn that Maverick Insurance is more than it seems. The mystery of who attacked Perry is revealed when he is nearly killed by an Maverick employee. He is saved by Malcom and there is even a mention of his father maybe being connected to Maverick Insurance. However, Perry remembers nothing of his attack again due to being given Royphnol. I really enjoyed Gayle as Perry's best friend and enjoyed the mystery of the book. Nate and Perry are really cute together and I like how Nate took into consideration Perry's physical limitations for their dates. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
May 15, 2024
chilling murder mystery with a slow burn romance
Rating: 4.5🌈
I found the Maverick Insurance Mysteries because of the author’s amazing Perfect Pixies fantasy series. Now I’m working through her catalog and so happy.
No Good Deed is the first in a contemporary mystery thriller romance series. May has so many interesting characters and a great concept to this series, one that’s guaranteed to keep the reader engaged and intrigued by the weird dynamics and edgy possibilities the loom around every scene and narrative corner.
At the heart is Perry Atherton, a victim of a horrific crime that ended in a murder and in injuries that have been life altering for him.
Perry was once going to be an astrophysicist. Now he’s dealing with a physical disability that includes brain damage, knee injury, inability to read (especially electronic devices), and a severe memory impairment. His job? A janitor in an insurance company.
May, an incredibly inventive and talented writer, takes this broken, haunted man and starts to weave a tale of perseverance and hope for just living his life, despite the loss of the life he might have had. That’s something that might be simplistic except for his odd work surroundings and that murder keeps finding him.
Add to this a detective from that past crime scene who’s reappearing now in his life along with dead bodies, and
No Good Deed just becomes this terrific combination of chilling thriller and slow burn romance where you’re never sure who exactly the bad guys are. Even after some are identified, and you suspected they were, you just know more are lurking around the scene.
What fun waiting for the next scenes and murders to come!
Another excellent May story and recommendation from me.
Maverick Insurance Mysteries:
- [x] No Good Deed #1
- [ ] Goes Unpunished #2
- [ ] The Road To Hell #3
Rating: 4.5🌈
I found the Maverick Insurance Mysteries because of the author’s amazing Perfect Pixies fantasy series. Now I’m working through her catalog and so happy.
No Good Deed is the first in a contemporary mystery thriller romance series. May has so many interesting characters and a great concept to this series, one that’s guaranteed to keep the reader engaged and intrigued by the weird dynamics and edgy possibilities the loom around every scene and narrative corner.
At the heart is Perry Atherton, a victim of a horrific crime that ended in a murder and in injuries that have been life altering for him.
Perry was once going to be an astrophysicist. Now he’s dealing with a physical disability that includes brain damage, knee injury, inability to read (especially electronic devices), and a severe memory impairment. His job? A janitor in an insurance company.
May, an incredibly inventive and talented writer, takes this broken, haunted man and starts to weave a tale of perseverance and hope for just living his life, despite the loss of the life he might have had. That’s something that might be simplistic except for his odd work surroundings and that murder keeps finding him.
Add to this a detective from that past crime scene who’s reappearing now in his life along with dead bodies, and
No Good Deed just becomes this terrific combination of chilling thriller and slow burn romance where you’re never sure who exactly the bad guys are. Even after some are identified, and you suspected they were, you just know more are lurking around the scene.
What fun waiting for the next scenes and murders to come!
Another excellent May story and recommendation from me.
Maverick Insurance Mysteries:
- [x] No Good Deed #1
- [ ] Goes Unpunished #2
- [ ] The Road To Hell #3
February 28, 2023
Intriguing mystery
I decided to try this book because this author wrote a different story that I am obsessed with (Perfectly Imperfect Pixie).
Perry is a former astrophysics student who was attacked and had his life turned upside down with memory problems and physical difficulties. I loved the way the author made him so likable, and I was really rooting for him to find his happiness.
When Perry stumbles upon something dangerous at work, he reports it and encounters the cop from his previous attack. Nate has been fascinated by Perry since that attack. Meeting him again brings back those feelings. I loved how Nate was so caring with Perry.
The author does a delicious job of developing a slow burn romance between the two as Perry learns he is loveable beyond his physical ailments and as Nate learns who Perry really is beyond the surface.
The author does a great job of throwing potential hints and misdirects to keep you guessing throughout the story. I vacillated between so many characters being the bad guy and couldn’t make my mind up. The short and current mystery is solved in this book, but there is an overarching plot that is revealed that will be continued in the next book. You now know the backstory, so the mystery will be in how the author reveals it to everyone else in the book.
This was a nice start of a mystery series that hopefully will have more books that are just as good.
I decided to try this book because this author wrote a different story that I am obsessed with (Perfectly Imperfect Pixie).
Perry is a former astrophysics student who was attacked and had his life turned upside down with memory problems and physical difficulties. I loved the way the author made him so likable, and I was really rooting for him to find his happiness.
When Perry stumbles upon something dangerous at work, he reports it and encounters the cop from his previous attack. Nate has been fascinated by Perry since that attack. Meeting him again brings back those feelings. I loved how Nate was so caring with Perry.
The author does a delicious job of developing a slow burn romance between the two as Perry learns he is loveable beyond his physical ailments and as Nate learns who Perry really is beyond the surface.
The author does a great job of throwing potential hints and misdirects to keep you guessing throughout the story. I vacillated between so many characters being the bad guy and couldn’t make my mind up. The short and current mystery is solved in this book, but there is an overarching plot that is revealed that will be continued in the next book. You now know the backstory, so the mystery will be in how the author reveals it to everyone else in the book.
This was a nice start of a mystery series that hopefully will have more books that are just as good.
February 28, 2023
I gave this book a try because I loved the author's other book (Perfectly Imperfect Pixie - sooo good). This one is a little different (no magic, lol) but still caught my interest due to the mystery. And oh man was I glad I did. The mystery is the main focus of the story, with the slow-burn romance being secondary. However, your mind is reeling from trying to guess who is the real culprit, a true friend, and wth is going on at this insurance place, that you don't mind the slow building romance. The author keeps you on your toes, every "new hint" has you guessing a different person.
The MCs are attracted to each other but their relationship is developing at a slow pace but not in a frustrating way, it fits the story perfectly. Perry is sweet, honest, and has a good heart for which life has paid him horrible.. no good deed goes unpunished. Nate was witness to what Perry paid for his good deed so is more than willing to go at any pace Perry wants, as long as he gets to be with him. The secondary characters are also fully developed and intriguing, especially those who are suspects. And then there's the ending...wowsers 🤯.. never suspected that but sooo good. So definitely cannot wait for the next book because I need to know how the overall story is going be continued and how the full mystery will be solved.
The MCs are attracted to each other but their relationship is developing at a slow pace but not in a frustrating way, it fits the story perfectly. Perry is sweet, honest, and has a good heart for which life has paid him horrible.. no good deed goes unpunished. Nate was witness to what Perry paid for his good deed so is more than willing to go at any pace Perry wants, as long as he gets to be with him. The secondary characters are also fully developed and intriguing, especially those who are suspects. And then there's the ending...wowsers 🤯.. never suspected that but sooo good. So definitely cannot wait for the next book because I need to know how the overall story is going be continued and how the full mystery will be solved.
October 1, 2025
Thrillers aren't my usual fare, but I'm enjoying this one! The romantic and plot arcs both span the full four-book series, I assume, but I'm definitely invested in Perry and like Nate a lot, too.
Although gotta say, while "Nate" and "Nat" are cute in theory, it's annoying AF to read on-page... and then to add in a "Natasha"??? 🙄 I forgive the author because I like her work, but I am definitely not a fan of that stylistic choice 🤣
Also not sure how I feel about the massive villain monologue / info-dump near the end of this one, especially with how gratuitous it feels in light of I mean, it's not even like any of that was a huge reveal? The set-up was pretty obvious, although it's true I didn't know Still, it definitely took me out of the story a bit to just have it all vomited onto the page like that versus revealed more organically, either here or in future books - I would have been totally fine waiting on a few of those particulars. But maybe it will feel like the author made the right storytelling choice to present it that way once I dive into the next book and she what she does with that one? Because quibbles aside, I'm definitely here for it!
Although gotta say, while "Nate" and "Nat" are cute in theory, it's annoying AF to read on-page... and then to add in a "Natasha"??? 🙄 I forgive the author because I like her work, but I am definitely not a fan of that stylistic choice 🤣
Also not sure how I feel about the massive villain monologue / info-dump near the end of this one, especially with how gratuitous it feels in light of I mean, it's not even like any of that was a huge reveal? The set-up was pretty obvious, although it's true I didn't know Still, it definitely took me out of the story a bit to just have it all vomited onto the page like that versus revealed more organically, either here or in future books - I would have been totally fine waiting on a few of those particulars. But maybe it will feel like the author made the right storytelling choice to present it that way once I dive into the next book and she what she does with that one? Because quibbles aside, I'm definitely here for it!
March 2, 2023
3.5-4⭐️
This was a good story and pretty compelling mystery. Perry is working as a custodian at Maverick Insurance, it’s not the career he envisioned but he’s doing his best to put his life back together after a brutal attack. At first it seems fine, but it starts to become clear something is a bit off with Maverick Insurance and it’s employees. On the plus side, it does put Perry back in the orbit of Nate, the police officer who helped save him during his attack three years earlier. The mystery is a good one, well crafted ( if not overly complicated) and it definitely held my attention. I also liked the growing relationship between Nate and Perry, which was a sweet contrast to the murder investigation going on around them. It’s in pretty early stages and complicated due to Perry being kind of a witness in Nate’s murder investigation, but as a couple they definitely have lots of potential. It is pretty slow moving overall, both the relationship and the mystery. I did think the epilogue was quite good, a juicy set up for more intrigue at Maverick Insurance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
This was a good story and pretty compelling mystery. Perry is working as a custodian at Maverick Insurance, it’s not the career he envisioned but he’s doing his best to put his life back together after a brutal attack. At first it seems fine, but it starts to become clear something is a bit off with Maverick Insurance and it’s employees. On the plus side, it does put Perry back in the orbit of Nate, the police officer who helped save him during his attack three years earlier. The mystery is a good one, well crafted ( if not overly complicated) and it definitely held my attention. I also liked the growing relationship between Nate and Perry, which was a sweet contrast to the murder investigation going on around them. It’s in pretty early stages and complicated due to Perry being kind of a witness in Nate’s murder investigation, but as a couple they definitely have lots of potential. It is pretty slow moving overall, both the relationship and the mystery. I did think the epilogue was quite good, a juicy set up for more intrigue at Maverick Insurance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
March 4, 2023
This is definitely going to be one of those series I avidly scan the releases for the next addition and then swallow it whole in one day. That's what happened with this story. The mystery was a classic type that always holds my attention, a character finds a note letting him and us know a murderer is lurking about and decisions must be made about whether or not and/or how to get involved. The added complication here is that Perry, a custodian who finds the note, lost his memory, his ability to get around easily and his chance at a career in astrophysics when he tried to help someone before. There just happens to be a detective Perry knows, the one who found him the night of his injuries and Detective Harmon and Perry seem destined for an HEA somewhere in the series. I can't wait to watch their relationship develop and see if Perry starts to get his memory back and what dangers that might entail. Excitedly waiting for book two.
February 20, 2023
Oh wow! This book was so fascinating. I got so hooked on the characters of Perry and Nat that I could not put it down. This is also a unique take on a murder mystery for me. Perry was the victim of a brutal attack that nearly killed him three years ago when he tried to come to someone’s rescue. The attack left him alive but he will never be the person he was before. Now there is a potential murderer in the office he cleans at night and who should be investigating but the detective who was the first policeman on the scene the night of his attack. Perry doesn’t remember him, but Nat has never been able to forget him. And oh man….the twist in this one…I saw part of it coming but not all of it. This is going to be one wild rollercoaster and I hope Nat and Perry come out the other side.
February 23, 2023
I finished this book 2 days ago and I'm still haunted by the plot and the characters. I relive multiple portions of the book and try to grasp how power and greed can lead to such a sequence of events.
You're going to love Perry from the first page. He's everything good that most of us want to emulate on a daily basis. Standing up for right and wrong. Saving our fellow man. Unfortunately the good guy doesn't always prevail.
Nate is one of the good guys who follows through as a protector. As he and Perry's friendship grows, they realize all is not right at the insurance office. And the maze of clues and suspects grow. When Perry is hurt his best friend Gayle and Nate and Nat, is police partner, are there to support him.
Where will all of this lead? Who can you trust?
Such a beautifully touching romance wrapped inside a compelling mystery!
You're going to love Perry from the first page. He's everything good that most of us want to emulate on a daily basis. Standing up for right and wrong. Saving our fellow man. Unfortunately the good guy doesn't always prevail.
Nate is one of the good guys who follows through as a protector. As he and Perry's friendship grows, they realize all is not right at the insurance office. And the maze of clues and suspects grow. When Perry is hurt his best friend Gayle and Nate and Nat, is police partner, are there to support him.
Where will all of this lead? Who can you trust?
Such a beautifully touching romance wrapped inside a compelling mystery!
March 4, 2023
This was a fantastic start to a new series featuring complex characters, interesting storylines, and lots of twists. Perry and Nate were both such unique characters but were so different. I loved learning more about Perry and seeing how he was dealing with all the changes in his life since his attack. It was also loved that despite everything Perry had been through, it didn't change who he fundamentally was as a human. Nate was a little bit harder to get a read on initially but it was was sweet to see just how much he cared about Perry since the moment he laid eyes on him in that alley. The ending was a total twist! While the story in this book is wrapped up, there are several loose threads that I hope we will get answers to in the next book! I can't wait to see what else is in store for Perry and Nate!
April 21, 2023
Even though this book had all the things that I love about a good murder mystery, I will admit that I came away from it a little disappointed. For some reason, I felt like this was more about setting up the storyline for future books with a little bit of a backstory about the MCs. However, the story was entertaining and my curiosity has been engaged, so I will be waiting NOT so patiently for book #2 to come out this summer!
Strangely enough, early on, I remember thinking that Nate and Nat were coming at this situation from the wrong angle and I was correct. Also, Perry and Nate's relationship isn't on what you would call the "fast" track, but it is slowly moving along.
The cliffhanger didn't surprise me and I am anxious to see what else this author manages to throw at Perry before the bad guys/gals get their due! It appears that this author's mind is as twisted as mine!
Strangely enough, early on, I remember thinking that Nate and Nat were coming at this situation from the wrong angle and I was correct. Also, Perry and Nate's relationship isn't on what you would call the "fast" track, but it is slowly moving along.
The cliffhanger didn't surprise me and I am anxious to see what else this author manages to throw at Perry before the bad guys/gals get their due! It appears that this author's mind is as twisted as mine!
February 28, 2023
Perry is a janitor and works at an insurance company after a horrifying attack that changed his world. Nate is the officer that comes to aid after the attack and never stops thinking about him. He was surprised when he sees Perry working at the insurance company that he is investigating. Perry doesn't remember what happened to him three years ago and he doesn't remember Nate. Nate knows he needs to stay away from Perry but he is attracted to and infatuated with him much to the dismay of his partner. The book is romantic, and sweet, with some angst, and great characters, has a great flow to it, with some intense moments and a lot of twists and turns. I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
March 1, 2023
I appreciated the balance between mystery, relationship progress, and character development this book offers: there’s definitely a story here, but there’s a chance to get to know the characters and to watch their dynamic take shape as well. Nate and Perry’s slow burn romance takes shape as they get to know each other in ways both shaped by the past and new to the circumstances of their present, and it just *worked* in a way that made me want to see more of them. I’m not even going to try to summarize the plot– there’s a blurb for that, and it’s worth experiencing the details for yourself–but there are few dull moments to go with the interesting characters, and all in all I really liked this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
March 5, 2023
Good mystery! Perry, was badly assaulted which left his aspirations as an astrophysist dead and buried. What remains is a lifetime of agonizing pain, memory loss and the constant challenge to find a fulfilling, life sustaining job. Perry didn't remember his good samaritain adventure, but was left in a coma shot, beaten severely damaged for his troubles. He has a janitorial job at Maverick Insurance. He finds a threatening note, that forces him into a dilemma of making a decision of if he would get involved again. He is reunited with Nate, the man who found him the first time. There are questions, suspicions and answers that lead to more questions. Does Nate get to check on his obsession? Great beginning. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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