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Portland Police Bureau #1
Conflict of Interest
Workaholic Detective Aiden Carlisle isn’t looking for love—and certainly not at the law enforcement seminar she reluctantly agreed to attend. But the first lecturer is not at all what she expected.
Psychologist Dawn Kinsley has just found her place in life. After a failed relationship with a police officer, she has sworn never to get involved with another cop again, but she feels a connection to Aiden from the very first moment.
Can Aiden keep from crossing the line when a brutal crime threatens to keep them apart before they've even gotten together?
2nd revised edition
Length: 466 pages (approx. 135,000 words)
Psychologist Dawn Kinsley has just found her place in life. After a failed relationship with a police officer, she has sworn never to get involved with another cop again, but she feels a connection to Aiden from the very first moment.
Can Aiden keep from crossing the line when a brutal crime threatens to keep them apart before they've even gotten together?
2nd revised edition
Length: 466 pages (approx. 135,000 words)
502 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2008
142 people are currently reading
2113 people want to read
About the author
Jae
127 books3,804 followersJae is the author of twenty-six award-winning romances between women. She lives in the sunniest city of Germany, near the French and Swiss borders. The writing bug bit her at the age of eleven.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
February 18, 2018
Every time I read a book by Jae I am surprised by how different it is from the last book I read that she wrote. I've also just changed my ratings of books I've read by Jae that I read well over a year ago because I have complete memories of the stories which, sadly, is something I can't say about most of the books I read.
Conflict of Interest was written as Law & Order: SVU fan fiction a while before it was published in 2008 (The sequel, Next of Kin was completed in March 2008 as fan fiction). Aiden Carlisle is loosely based on Olivia Benson (I must admit that I didn't really envision her as an Olivia Benson other than her background and job which is a good thing because her character was so well depicted that it was far better than a 2D TV character). I didn't pick up on who Dawn Kinsley was supposed to be but I did find it interesting that her story line was so similar to what happened to Olivia fairly recently (i.e. long after Conflict of Interest was written).
I was astounded at how rape – the action, its trauma and the aftermath – was sensitively dealt with without glossing over it and also without shying away from its brutality. I understand why romance authors either put rape as something far in the background of a character or as a near miss in the present because it would very hard to weave it into a romance and certainly not in the standard 200 to 300 page length of a romance novel.
This is not an easy read and I don't think I would recommend it to a rape survivor. It is a riveting read and a very beautiful depiction of love and support between two strong women.
Conflict of Interest was written as Law & Order: SVU fan fiction a while before it was published in 2008 (The sequel, Next of Kin was completed in March 2008 as fan fiction). Aiden Carlisle is loosely based on Olivia Benson (I must admit that I didn't really envision her as an Olivia Benson other than her background and job which is a good thing because her character was so well depicted that it was far better than a 2D TV character). I didn't pick up on who Dawn Kinsley was supposed to be but I did find it interesting that her story line was so similar to what happened to Olivia fairly recently (i.e. long after Conflict of Interest was written).
I was astounded at how rape – the action, its trauma and the aftermath – was sensitively dealt with without glossing over it and also without shying away from its brutality. I understand why romance authors either put rape as something far in the background of a character or as a near miss in the present because it would very hard to weave it into a romance and certainly not in the standard 200 to 300 page length of a romance novel.
This is not an easy read and I don't think I would recommend it to a rape survivor. It is a riveting read and a very beautiful depiction of love and support between two strong women.
April 13, 2017
4.4 stars
This is a really bold story that I don't encounter much in lesfic. Sure, there are plenty of characters in the genre that suffer from prior sexual assault or abuse but that occurs long before we start our stories and we have some distance from the aftermath.
That's where this book is different. Jae masterfully weaves a story of before, at the moment of, and the aftermath of a rape and then deftly unravels how the two leads process that trauma as they begin a relationship with each other.
The narrative grabs you from the beginning and, despite the horrific topic, the story itself is not. The subject matter is dark but there's lightness, love and hope, as well. I found the interactions between the characters, how Dawn was affected and how all of those around her were impacted to be really true to life.
The entire story and every character, whether big or small, was well done.
Recommend.
This is a really bold story that I don't encounter much in lesfic. Sure, there are plenty of characters in the genre that suffer from prior sexual assault or abuse but that occurs long before we start our stories and we have some distance from the aftermath.
That's where this book is different. Jae masterfully weaves a story of before, at the moment of, and the aftermath of a rape and then deftly unravels how the two leads process that trauma as they begin a relationship with each other.
The narrative grabs you from the beginning and, despite the horrific topic, the story itself is not. The subject matter is dark but there's lightness, love and hope, as well. I found the interactions between the characters, how Dawn was affected and how all of those around her were impacted to be really true to life.
The entire story and every character, whether big or small, was well done.
Recommend.
March 16, 2017
This is my first book read by Jae and it was wonderful. I can't believe it took me this long to read her. If I had known how much I would have enjoyed this, I'd have read it ages ago.
This book is about an extremely tough subject, rape. I'm not normally one that enjoys books that have rape in them. This was an absolute exception. This awful subject was really well done, with compassion and realistic understanding. The rape was an integral part of the story and done "off camera" as they say. This story wasn't so much about the rape, but what a person goes through after such a horrible crime. You follow through the investigation, the hospital, court scenes (that were absolute page turners), the PTSD aftermath, and trying to put ones life back together.
Both characters are extremely likeable and the romance was wonderful. This book is on the longer side, but it seemed like every page was needed. This book is about a slow building romance, but anything faster for a rape victim would have seemed totally unrealistic. The chemistry was there, and you honestly felt the love they have for each other. No cheap angst tricks, just a real honest, emotional, romance.
I already have book 2, and can't wait to read anything else by Jae. If her other books are even half this good, it will be worth the read. I would recommend this book to anyone that can handle such a difficult subject, and a wonderful romance.
This book is about an extremely tough subject, rape. I'm not normally one that enjoys books that have rape in them. This was an absolute exception. This awful subject was really well done, with compassion and realistic understanding. The rape was an integral part of the story and done "off camera" as they say. This story wasn't so much about the rape, but what a person goes through after such a horrible crime. You follow through the investigation, the hospital, court scenes (that were absolute page turners), the PTSD aftermath, and trying to put ones life back together.
Both characters are extremely likeable and the romance was wonderful. This book is on the longer side, but it seemed like every page was needed. This book is about a slow building romance, but anything faster for a rape victim would have seemed totally unrealistic. The chemistry was there, and you honestly felt the love they have for each other. No cheap angst tricks, just a real honest, emotional, romance.
I already have book 2, and can't wait to read anything else by Jae. If her other books are even half this good, it will be worth the read. I would recommend this book to anyone that can handle such a difficult subject, and a wonderful romance.
October 4, 2024
Oct 2024 Update: Changing my rating from 4.5 to 5 - I can't stop thinking about Dawn and Aiden weeks after finishing the book.
This book delivers a brilliant and powerful story that left a lasting impact. Despite the difficult subject matter, the heart of the story lies in Dawn’s journey of working through her trauma and unexpectedly finding love with Aiden. The way their relationship develops—with patience, understanding, and maturity—was refreshing and everything a reader would hope for. What stood out most was how the story never glossed over the serious challenges Dawn and her loved ones faced after her assault. Jae handles these themes with such compassion, avoiding any sense of patronising, and instead creates a story that feels both hopeful and realistic in its portrayal of love and healing through trauma.
This book delivers a brilliant and powerful story that left a lasting impact. Despite the difficult subject matter, the heart of the story lies in Dawn’s journey of working through her trauma and unexpectedly finding love with Aiden. The way their relationship develops—with patience, understanding, and maturity—was refreshing and everything a reader would hope for. What stood out most was how the story never glossed over the serious challenges Dawn and her loved ones faced after her assault. Jae handles these themes with such compassion, avoiding any sense of patronising, and instead creates a story that feels both hopeful and realistic in its portrayal of love and healing through trauma.
January 2, 2020
Aiden Carlisle is a detective for the Portland Sexual Assault Unit. She meets psychologist Dawn Kinsley when attending a seminar on sexual assault victims, and then later when their worlds collide in horrible fashion. Can they keep each other from crossing the lines so blatantly dictated by their professions and a terrible crime?
I was finally able to get to this one, and it totally lived up to my expectations. This story is definitely not for everyone. The majority of the book deals with the topic of sexual assault and the fallout from it. This includes part of the trial and the frustrations regarding prosecuting such a crime. I thought Jae did a fantastic job. The only other book I have read that had this degree of assault description is Hunter’s Way by Gerri Hill (usually this is a topic I don’t care for- Hill sprung it on me and Jae’s I wanted to read since has high ratings). The assault was not the main event in that book as it is in this one, but strictly thinking about that event, Jae’s was simply unparalleled. The emotions discussed in this novel felt real and the reader is taken through all of them. The assault was described after the fact but with enough detail it was not pleasant. The aftermath for the victim and the trial were great additions and hopefully raised some awareness in the topic. The difficulties for the police to gather evidence and testimonies was brought up, and further emphasizes how victims and law enforcement officers are affected, obviously in different ways, by the same crime.
Both characters were wonderfully brought to life, likable, and with undeniable chemistry. The romance was present but slow, which suited this story perfectly. The tenderness between the mains was so sweet to listen to. Yes, this one was an audiobook for me. Narrated by Abby Craden, the audiobook was simply outstanding. I can not say enough good things about this narrator and this particular book would have been destroyed in the hands of a less skilled performer. Craden just has a way to bring emotion to life, and this was one emotional tale.
As predictable as the overall story is (we read romance after all), the journey there was intriguing and at times a real page turner. This is a fantastic novel on a dark and difficult subject. Will definitely be listening to the next book in the series.
I was finally able to get to this one, and it totally lived up to my expectations. This story is definitely not for everyone. The majority of the book deals with the topic of sexual assault and the fallout from it. This includes part of the trial and the frustrations regarding prosecuting such a crime. I thought Jae did a fantastic job. The only other book I have read that had this degree of assault description is Hunter’s Way by Gerri Hill (usually this is a topic I don’t care for- Hill sprung it on me and Jae’s I wanted to read since has high ratings). The assault was not the main event in that book as it is in this one, but strictly thinking about that event, Jae’s was simply unparalleled. The emotions discussed in this novel felt real and the reader is taken through all of them. The assault was described after the fact but with enough detail it was not pleasant. The aftermath for the victim and the trial were great additions and hopefully raised some awareness in the topic. The difficulties for the police to gather evidence and testimonies was brought up, and further emphasizes how victims and law enforcement officers are affected, obviously in different ways, by the same crime.
Both characters were wonderfully brought to life, likable, and with undeniable chemistry. The romance was present but slow, which suited this story perfectly. The tenderness between the mains was so sweet to listen to. Yes, this one was an audiobook for me. Narrated by Abby Craden, the audiobook was simply outstanding. I can not say enough good things about this narrator and this particular book would have been destroyed in the hands of a less skilled performer. Craden just has a way to bring emotion to life, and this was one emotional tale.
As predictable as the overall story is (we read romance after all), the journey there was intriguing and at times a real page turner. This is a fantastic novel on a dark and difficult subject. Will definitely be listening to the next book in the series.
December 8, 2019
I’m big into reading fluffy, sappy or purely romance book and not so much book shelved as crime/criminal romance. Read COI and was hooked! Not so much with the romance but more so on the investigation and court case which followed... Liked the 2 MCs, Aiden and Dawn; and what happened to Dawn was heart-wrenching.... But the character that really held my interest in COI was Kadence Matheson. The court case and arguments brought forth was well-written and engaging and I’m simply in awe of Kadence Matheson, the ever-powerful-alluring DDA!
4.25 star
4.25 star
July 6, 2024
Conflict of Interest was the first book of Jae's that I read, and it was great to reread and connect with these characters again. Aiden Carlisle meets Dawn Kinsley when she speaks at a seminar that Aiden and her fellow detectives are attending. They meet again when Aiden stops a guy from taking Dawn's purse. Their third meeting is even more disturbing as Aiden ends up at Dawn's place, which is now the scene of her rape.
Aiden hasn't had to investigate a case in which she knows the victim and she works night and day to apprehend the assailant.
Dawn is a therapist who specialists in helping victims of rape deal with their trauma. She never imagined she would be a victim of the crime she works so hard to help others overcome. She feels safe with Aiden and feeling safe is a feeling that is suddenly lost to her.
Jae is a master storyteller and the evolution of the relationship between Dawn and Aiden is beautifully written. The supporting characters are fantastic, particularly, Cade, the attractive, District Attorney who prosecutes Dawn's case. I would recommend all of Jae's books, but this one will always have a special place in my heart.
An ARC was received from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley
Aiden hasn't had to investigate a case in which she knows the victim and she works night and day to apprehend the assailant.
Dawn is a therapist who specialists in helping victims of rape deal with their trauma. She never imagined she would be a victim of the crime she works so hard to help others overcome. She feels safe with Aiden and feeling safe is a feeling that is suddenly lost to her.
Jae is a master storyteller and the evolution of the relationship between Dawn and Aiden is beautifully written. The supporting characters are fantastic, particularly, Cade, the attractive, District Attorney who prosecutes Dawn's case. I would recommend all of Jae's books, but this one will always have a special place in my heart.
An ARC was received from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley
May 5, 2025
Jae is just so good I don't know where to start. On holiday I re-read her books and get told off for not participating enough in the holiday! But who can leave Jae when she writes like this? Simply the best. Read for 3rd time - feeling down, needed a little cry in the safe hands of the master.
Loved the Audio!
Loved the Audio!
August 25, 2018
500 pages in 5 hours. Wow my addiction has reached it's peak. Jae's works are my Kryptonite. They kill my schedule and I have absolutely no regrets.
I loved this book. Sexual abuse is not a easy topic to deal with. Especially when there might be victims in the reader lists. I was never hit in my face with Dawn's problems, instead I was gradually taken into her suffering and I could feel the pain. I loved how Dawn wasn't portrayed as this sad human who lost all zeal for life after the trauma. She has that determination to get over her abuse and I loved that she did.
She is not a spineless woman. People this is the definition of a strong human being. I'm a fan for life.
Aiden was a bit too idealistic for me with her saviour complex but damn me if I wouldn't drool over her. I loved how she was patient and never let dawn feel alone and lost.
I loved this so so much and apparently there's a second book. so see ya folks
PS I loved the kade storyline which was a sub plot without taking too much of focus away from the main storyline. :)
Edit: I realized the grammar was all over the place. So I had to edit this to feed my OCD.
I loved this book. Sexual abuse is not a easy topic to deal with. Especially when there might be victims in the reader lists. I was never hit in my face with Dawn's problems, instead I was gradually taken into her suffering and I could feel the pain. I loved how Dawn wasn't portrayed as this sad human who lost all zeal for life after the trauma. She has that determination to get over her abuse and I loved that she did.
She is not a spineless woman. People this is the definition of a strong human being. I'm a fan for life.
Aiden was a bit too idealistic for me with her saviour complex but damn me if I wouldn't drool over her. I loved how she was patient and never let dawn feel alone and lost.
I loved this so so much and apparently there's a second book. so see ya folks
PS I loved the kade storyline which was a sub plot without taking too much of focus away from the main storyline. :)
Edit: I realized the grammar was all over the place. So I had to edit this to feed my OCD.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2019
Well done - though I felt it got much better in the second half. I had just listened to The Killing Room by Gerri Hill shortly before this and because Abby Craden narrated both, they sounded very similar. I understand this was initially SVU fanfic very early in Jae's writing career - and I'm one of the only lesbians in the universe that hasn't watched that. lol That said - my mother has seen every episode and I've seen a few when visiting her so I knew the basics. I do love Aiden and Dawn as characters and appreciated the care that Jae took handling Dawn's sensitive storyline and the loving patience Aiden had with her. Am moving directly on to the follow-up, Next of Kin, next.
April 13, 2018
This book deals with a heavy topic but is well done.
TW: Assault, rape, PTSD.
The treatment of the trauma and it's consequence felt very real, one thing that I hate in some books is how fast the character get over the trauma and move on with their life. Jae does a splendid job here, take for example The court scenes, those were fantastic, I could easily imagine being there and listening to the lawyers.
The Characters development was great and the pace of the romance was slow but believable.
A great book.
January 7, 2020
Excellent!! This is a very well written police procedural, court drama and mystery with a splash of romance! Once I started to read, I couldn’t put the book down. There is book 2 and 3 (although the third book is really a novella) in the Portland Police Bureau series. Love the characters. Love the build up of crime and mystery. Nothing was rushed.
July 19, 2016
I cannot even express how much I wanted to love this book - and how much I expected to love this book. So giving it a two star rating feels wrong and disappointing on multiple levels, but I just can't justify anything higher. I normally love Jae's books, and I was so stoked about the premise here. Lesbian cop with a huge chip on her shoulder about her past! A hurt/comfort storyline! Big Issues discussed that normally never make an appearance in lesfic! And as soon as I started reading, I couldn't help but dig the threads of Law & Order: SVU, which I enjoyed (having always had a crush on Olivia). Aiden is a lot like Olivia (down to her backstory as being the product of rape), and Kade reminded me a lot of Alex Cabot.
So I was pretty primed to love this story. And for the first third of the book, I kept expecting to love it. And then my interest waned and never returned.
First off, this book gives an all new meaning to slow burn. I don't like instalove, but I also don't like it when it takes hundreds of pages for the characters to do anything except make maybe googly eyes at one another. I know that there was a lot going on in Dawn's life, but I just didn't feel a relationship building between the pair at all until almost two-thirds of the way into the book. And to get there, we had to slog through a lot of very intense legalese that really didn't interest me at all. When the relationship finally did happen, it didn't feel natural; it felt rather forced to me. I think that it would have felt much more organic and right if it had been allowed to develop more in the first two-thirds of the book, rather than keeping it on the back burner until after the trial was over, and then forcing it to the forefront.
The writing that I am used to loving just wasn't there. I read that this was Jae's first book in English, so I am sure that definitely had a part to play, but I read the second edition, so I was expecting a lot more, well, Jaeness there. Instead, it just felt choppy to me, like a lot of different pieces had to be pulled together to form a not-so-good-looking crazy quilt.
The trial timeline seemed really off to me.
There also felt like there was a lot of action packed in gratuitously toward the end, with little value.
I'll be reading the next book in the series, mainly because I already bought it. Plus it has Kade in it. <3 I just hope that it is a better read than this one was.
So I was pretty primed to love this story. And for the first third of the book, I kept expecting to love it. And then my interest waned and never returned.
First off, this book gives an all new meaning to slow burn. I don't like instalove, but I also don't like it when it takes hundreds of pages for the characters to do anything except make maybe googly eyes at one another. I know that there was a lot going on in Dawn's life, but I just didn't feel a relationship building between the pair at all until almost two-thirds of the way into the book. And to get there, we had to slog through a lot of very intense legalese that really didn't interest me at all. When the relationship finally did happen, it didn't feel natural; it felt rather forced to me. I think that it would have felt much more organic and right if it had been allowed to develop more in the first two-thirds of the book, rather than keeping it on the back burner until after the trial was over, and then forcing it to the forefront.
The writing that I am used to loving just wasn't there. I read that this was Jae's first book in English, so I am sure that definitely had a part to play, but I read the second edition, so I was expecting a lot more, well, Jaeness there. Instead, it just felt choppy to me, like a lot of different pieces had to be pulled together to form a not-so-good-looking crazy quilt.
The trial timeline seemed really off to me.
There also felt like there was a lot of action packed in gratuitously toward the end, with little value.
I'll be reading the next book in the series, mainly because I already bought it. Plus it has Kade in it. <3 I just hope that it is a better read than this one was.
December 18, 2015
Within two chapters of starting the book, my fanfiction senses started tingling. A quick googling confirmed my suspicion that, yes, this book started its life as 'Law & Order: SVU' fanfiction. Normally, that would be enough to take some of the shine off of it for me. I've read a lot (and I mean a lot) of fanfiction and uber-fiction and, while I'm deeply, sincerely appreciative of authors who filled the LGBTQI void in publishing (many of whom made me feel less alone during dark days), I'm hungry for original characters with unfamiliar faces and backstories. But, you know what? This was a great book.
Jae is a tremendous writer, and she's adapted this story enough that Mariska Hargitay's face was the only one permanently imprinted on my mind, and even that became fuzzy from time to time. The plot itself was expertly developed and avoided the usual pitfalls of stories centered on sexual violence; it wasn't exploitive, sensationalistic or melodramatic. Rather, it told a story of human characters dealing with human emotions in very realistic ways.
There are triggers here, which, given the premise of the story, should come as no surprise. The first half of the book deals primarily with the crime, the second half deals with recovery. Indeed, much of that second half involves Dawn dealing with her own triggers. Both sections of the story are handled with great care, but it's still extremely difficult subject matter, so bear that in mind.
In terms of technical ability, I think Jae stands comfortably at the top echelon of lesrom writers, and I hesitate to even qualify that statement with a genre. The adjectives I typically use for reviewing the work of skilled authors all apply here: elegant, flowing, intelligent, detailed, evocative. The pacing is wonderful, the characters are consistent and easily distinguishable from one another (a big thing for me), there's just a lot to like about this book. Several times, it felt as if the story was heading straight into Tropes Town, but the author always seemed to turn onto side streets I hadn't expected. I can't tell you how much I appreciated that. Well, actually I can: a lot. I appreciated it a lot.
The proofreading, while not perfect, was still quite good. There were a few errors, but not enough to pull the reader out of the story. My only real criticism was that the ending didn't quite give me what I was looking for. Still, there were no loose ends, no cliffhangers, so my lack of fulfillment with the ending is entirely a matter of personal preference.
So, this novel works as a crime story. This novel works as a romance. This novel works as a story of recovery. This novel works. While Backwards to Oregon is still my favorite of Jae's books, 'Conflict of Interest' actually improves upon some of it. There's far less emphasis on the antagonist of this story. He's there, he has an impact, but the focus is primarily on the protagonists here. That works, too. It works really, really well.
I'd recommend this one. 4.45 stars.
____________
Addendum (slight spoilers): a second criticism I had was that Dawn, a psychologist and rape counselor, never went to therapy for her own rape. Though this is lightly mentioned several times, nothing ever comes of it, nor do these conversations ever venture much below the surface.
While I believe therapy is only mandatory for mental health professionals in Europe, it's strongly recommended that psychiatrists and psychologists in the United States seek therapy for themselves. Being a patient allows the doctor a greater sense of empathy for their own patients, and also helps them process the intense emotional load they take on with higher-impact cases, so it seems very likely that Dawn would've already been in therapy prior to her assault.
Even if she wasn't currently in therapy, it still felt extremely unrealistic for Dawn to actively avoid counseling after having been raped herself, especially given her specialization. I really needed to see an explanation for this on the page, preferably from Dawn's point-of-view. Not having that explanation damaged suspension-of-disbelief for me, even if it wasn't broken entirely. I also feel that sitting in on those sessions could have created some powerful moments that were otherwise missed.
Jae is a tremendous writer, and she's adapted this story enough that Mariska Hargitay's face was the only one permanently imprinted on my mind, and even that became fuzzy from time to time. The plot itself was expertly developed and avoided the usual pitfalls of stories centered on sexual violence; it wasn't exploitive, sensationalistic or melodramatic. Rather, it told a story of human characters dealing with human emotions in very realistic ways.
There are triggers here, which, given the premise of the story, should come as no surprise. The first half of the book deals primarily with the crime, the second half deals with recovery. Indeed, much of that second half involves Dawn dealing with her own triggers. Both sections of the story are handled with great care, but it's still extremely difficult subject matter, so bear that in mind.
In terms of technical ability, I think Jae stands comfortably at the top echelon of lesrom writers, and I hesitate to even qualify that statement with a genre. The adjectives I typically use for reviewing the work of skilled authors all apply here: elegant, flowing, intelligent, detailed, evocative. The pacing is wonderful, the characters are consistent and easily distinguishable from one another (a big thing for me), there's just a lot to like about this book. Several times, it felt as if the story was heading straight into Tropes Town, but the author always seemed to turn onto side streets I hadn't expected. I can't tell you how much I appreciated that. Well, actually I can: a lot. I appreciated it a lot.
The proofreading, while not perfect, was still quite good. There were a few errors, but not enough to pull the reader out of the story. My only real criticism was that the ending didn't quite give me what I was looking for. Still, there were no loose ends, no cliffhangers, so my lack of fulfillment with the ending is entirely a matter of personal preference.
So, this novel works as a crime story. This novel works as a romance. This novel works as a story of recovery. This novel works. While Backwards to Oregon is still my favorite of Jae's books, 'Conflict of Interest' actually improves upon some of it. There's far less emphasis on the antagonist of this story. He's there, he has an impact, but the focus is primarily on the protagonists here. That works, too. It works really, really well.
I'd recommend this one. 4.45 stars.
____________
Addendum (slight spoilers): a second criticism I had was that Dawn, a psychologist and rape counselor, never went to therapy for her own rape. Though this is lightly mentioned several times, nothing ever comes of it, nor do these conversations ever venture much below the surface.
While I believe therapy is only mandatory for mental health professionals in Europe, it's strongly recommended that psychiatrists and psychologists in the United States seek therapy for themselves. Being a patient allows the doctor a greater sense of empathy for their own patients, and also helps them process the intense emotional load they take on with higher-impact cases, so it seems very likely that Dawn would've already been in therapy prior to her assault.
Even if she wasn't currently in therapy, it still felt extremely unrealistic for Dawn to actively avoid counseling after having been raped herself, especially given her specialization. I really needed to see an explanation for this on the page, preferably from Dawn's point-of-view. Not having that explanation damaged suspension-of-disbelief for me, even if it wasn't broken entirely. I also feel that sitting in on those sessions could have created some powerful moments that were otherwise missed.
July 10, 2021
That was unexpected. Really I didn't think that I would be able to read on, after I realized that the book is dealing with rape and not just in a clinical way, but uncomfortably close to the heart. But everything is so beautifully done, with as little Angst as it is possible under those circumstances. I really admire this in all of Jae's books - her characters might have baggage and problems to solve together, but the conflict is usually not worsened by pigheadedness or the protagonists assuming they know what the other needs or by one of the protagonists running away from their own issues... Instead I always encounter very emphatic conversations - it's beautiful and I wish more people will read it and learn something for their own relationships.
June 5, 2020
4.5/5 stars
I really can't remember the last time I had such a good run with books as I am having now. Every book I read seems so much better than the last, and this has been no exception. This was a touching, raw and honest book that I just adored. I just don't know if I will be able to write a review that gives the depth of this book justice. It was touching and emotional, while still having a loveable romance with good chemistry, as well as an interesting and well-researched plot. I just really don't know what to say, it was fantastic. I know that I have been loving Jae's books recently, but this showed me a whole new side of her writing. While I know she can write funny and witty romances which I love, I know she call delve into the emotional and heart-wrenching depths of serious issues.
I really don't want to make this review very long or detailed, because I just feel like this is a book that should just be jumped into (with a trigger warning of course). All you need to know is the characters are fantastic throughout, in all facets of their relationship. The police and crime-related plot are sensitively handled, extremely well-researched as well as being both enlightening and highly interesting. I have never read a romance book that has placed so much focus on a court-hearing and the trauma of characters. I usually find that the romance tends to push these important subjects to the side, but this book found the perfect balance between all of it. It was hard at moments, but there were other sweet moments that made me smile. This was such a well-rounded book, I really can't recommend it enough.
I really can't remember the last time I had such a good run with books as I am having now. Every book I read seems so much better than the last, and this has been no exception. This was a touching, raw and honest book that I just adored. I just don't know if I will be able to write a review that gives the depth of this book justice. It was touching and emotional, while still having a loveable romance with good chemistry, as well as an interesting and well-researched plot. I just really don't know what to say, it was fantastic. I know that I have been loving Jae's books recently, but this showed me a whole new side of her writing. While I know she can write funny and witty romances which I love, I know she call delve into the emotional and heart-wrenching depths of serious issues.
I really don't want to make this review very long or detailed, because I just feel like this is a book that should just be jumped into (with a trigger warning of course). All you need to know is the characters are fantastic throughout, in all facets of their relationship. The police and crime-related plot are sensitively handled, extremely well-researched as well as being both enlightening and highly interesting. I have never read a romance book that has placed so much focus on a court-hearing and the trauma of characters. I usually find that the romance tends to push these important subjects to the side, but this book found the perfect balance between all of it. It was hard at moments, but there were other sweet moments that made me smile. This was such a well-rounded book, I really can't recommend it enough.
February 3, 2019
The first 55% of this book is like a 2x4 to the chest. It is not an easy read, but was also riveting, as the author details what is surely most women's worst nightmare in a very mature, blunt, honest fashion. She does not shy away from the terms of rape, assault, and trauma. Yet she keeps the MC who experienced this atrocity as focused, determined, strong, and no shrinking violet, which made me want to stand up and applaud. Thank you for that, Jae.
I'm actually somewhat glad that I had an Alvin Ailey dance theatre show to attend right in the middle of the most intense part of this book. I left the house angry, seething really, upset at the court trial, at that dirtbag of a "man" who did this, his slimy attorney.....then saw some pretty good live dance. And the last number was to a gospel song to "Rockin' in the Bosom of Abraham" and I got to thinking hey, I too like a good bosom. And all was right in the world when I calmed down enough to finish the book. Hallelujah.
But I digress.
The second half of the book was fine, it wasn't gripping but more a very slow burn of the MC getting her confidence back and facing her demons. Some parts lost me and I found myself skimming, compared to the intense feelings I had in the first half. I liked that the theme of "balance" was repeated, and how important it was for the budding relationship to be on equal footing. Overall, a book I will not pick up again, ever, as I still feel some raw emotions..... but was well written.
I'm actually somewhat glad that I had an Alvin Ailey dance theatre show to attend right in the middle of the most intense part of this book. I left the house angry, seething really, upset at the court trial, at that dirtbag of a "man" who did this, his slimy attorney.....then saw some pretty good live dance. And the last number was to a gospel song to "Rockin' in the Bosom of Abraham" and I got to thinking hey, I too like a good bosom. And all was right in the world when I calmed down enough to finish the book. Hallelujah.
But I digress.
The second half of the book was fine, it wasn't gripping but more a very slow burn of the MC getting her confidence back and facing her demons. Some parts lost me and I found myself skimming, compared to the intense feelings I had in the first half. I liked that the theme of "balance" was repeated, and how important it was for the budding relationship to be on equal footing. Overall, a book I will not pick up again, ever, as I still feel some raw emotions..... but was well written.
January 19, 2023
This book is a keeper and an annual re-read. Detective Aiden Carlisle and Psychologist Dawn Kinsley are brought together over a heinous crime. Their gentle relationship blossomed between them and watching the gentle spirit was heartwarming. I also liked the side characters and the possibility of other romantic interests. I was captivated. When I reached the end I, uh, reread it and then read book 2 in the Portland Police Bureau series Next of Kin.
This is my third or fourth re-read. I keep finding more reasons to fall in love with Detective Aiden Carlisle. She is, without a doubt, one of my favorite Sapphic protagonists of all time. She may be my favorite hands down. Considering the number of books my sapphic reading has covered this is a real feat. Still 5 stars I only wish they would let me give 6 stars.
This is my third or fourth re-read. I keep finding more reasons to fall in love with Detective Aiden Carlisle. She is, without a doubt, one of my favorite Sapphic protagonists of all time. She may be my favorite hands down. Considering the number of books my sapphic reading has covered this is a real feat. Still 5 stars I only wish they would let me give 6 stars.
July 31, 2019
Fantastic! That good, as soon as I'd finished I re-read. Even tho the story is centred around violence/rape, it is excellently written..
May 11, 2022
I appreciate Jae's ambition in taking on what is a very difficult subject matter, and I think she does a great job with it, so my review is not a discredit to the work she does on that front. And actually, I'm rating this an entire star up for that effort.
But overall this was a disappointment for me. It's labeled as a "Romantic Suspense" novel, but I didn't find it suspenseful at all. The first half of the book deals with the rape and the trial and the second half concentrates on the aftermath--Dawn's trauma and the budding romance between Dawn and Aiden and questions about how you enter a romance with a sexual assault survivor.
This was a fairly typical Jae experience for me, where I'm presented a really interesting concept that just doesn't hold up on execution. And I feel like Jae doesn't trust her writing to convey what it needs, so she puts too much in there, including a constant stream of her characters' thoughts either because she's unable to use descriptions to provide the reader small actions to understand her characters or because she doesn't think her readers can pick up on the subtlety and so she adds a character thought to clarify what the description means. And it really impacts my interaction with the text--it's overkill that makes it kind of boring, actually. So I really struggled with this book. And it's not because the subject matter, which is really hard. I was honestly just bored and didn't want to keep reading.
So, honestly, this is a two-star read for me that I'm bumping up to 3 stars for Jae's bravery in tackling a difficult subject.
But overall this was a disappointment for me. It's labeled as a "Romantic Suspense" novel, but I didn't find it suspenseful at all. The first half of the book deals with the rape and the trial and the second half concentrates on the aftermath--Dawn's trauma and the budding romance between Dawn and Aiden and questions about how you enter a romance with a sexual assault survivor.
This was a fairly typical Jae experience for me, where I'm presented a really interesting concept that just doesn't hold up on execution. And I feel like Jae doesn't trust her writing to convey what it needs, so she puts too much in there, including a constant stream of her characters' thoughts either because she's unable to use descriptions to provide the reader small actions to understand her characters or because she doesn't think her readers can pick up on the subtlety and so she adds a character thought to clarify what the description means. And it really impacts my interaction with the text--it's overkill that makes it kind of boring, actually. So I really struggled with this book. And it's not because the subject matter, which is really hard. I was honestly just bored and didn't want to keep reading.
So, honestly, this is a two-star read for me that I'm bumping up to 3 stars for Jae's bravery in tackling a difficult subject.
March 9, 2022
That was heartfelt and Jae hit all the spots to get under my skin. Too personal.
A tough read, but so rewarding.
A tough read, but so rewarding.
March 1, 2023
Conflict of Interest was one of my very first Jae reads. The characters hold a special place in my heart, and I love reading of them again and again.
Jae does a beautiful job of writing of the aftermath of rape. The humiliation survivors often face in the after the act and again at the trial is heartbreaking. The daily fear and everyday struggles they must face is horrible. Rape does not care if you are young or old, of the color of your skin, sexual orientation, or the way you dress. The sad reality is it can happen to anyone, even those that are there to help in the aftermath.
You can’t help but fall in love with Dawn. She is such a sweet and caring person. She also holds an inner strength that at times can be awe inspiring.
The inner demons Aiden faces is at times heartbreaking. She is an excellent Detective and she is someone I would definitely want in my corner.
Watching the to struggle with their growing friendship is hard. You want them together, but understand that in order to put Dawn’s rapist behind bars, they have to try to remain at cop/survivor distance.
Once they are finally able to be more it’s so heartwarming to see them together. Dawn helps Aiden beat back her Demons and see that she is in no way her father, and Aiden becomes a strong shoulder and a supporting pair of arms to help Dawn through the aftermath of her rape.
Jae does a beautiful job of writing of the aftermath of rape. The humiliation survivors often face in the after the act and again at the trial is heartbreaking. The daily fear and everyday struggles they must face is horrible. Rape does not care if you are young or old, of the color of your skin, sexual orientation, or the way you dress. The sad reality is it can happen to anyone, even those that are there to help in the aftermath.
You can’t help but fall in love with Dawn. She is such a sweet and caring person. She also holds an inner strength that at times can be awe inspiring.
The inner demons Aiden faces is at times heartbreaking. She is an excellent Detective and she is someone I would definitely want in my corner.
Watching the to struggle with their growing friendship is hard. You want them together, but understand that in order to put Dawn’s rapist behind bars, they have to try to remain at cop/survivor distance.
Once they are finally able to be more it’s so heartwarming to see them together. Dawn helps Aiden beat back her Demons and see that she is in no way her father, and Aiden becomes a strong shoulder and a supporting pair of arms to help Dawn through the aftermath of her rape.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2024
I was catfished by the premise that was available on the platform I read this book on.. It was a bit misleading and although it mentioned “a brutal crime scene” getting in between the two characters and disclaimed that “this book contains mature themes” I WAS THINKING MURDER AND THE TWO MCs GETTING FRISKY- NOT THIS LEVEL OF TRAUMA.
If I had known what the book was about (a sexual crime detective and a psychologist who specialises in rape and sexual assault related cases) I could have better prepared myself, and not read this at a time where I actually needed something more light hearted. It’s a good enough book, but a painful one filled with many potential triggers and deeply upsetting themes- so definitely keep that in mind if you’re debating picking this one up! Jae has other books, so if this sounds too much I’d advise looking into their other works to see if there’s something less devastating that appeals to you.
Big fat trigger warning for rape!! It’s the main theme in the book, constantly mentioned and discussed in length (the happening, the effects, the legal battles that surround it, family reactions etc.) so definitely very triggering! Please don’t read this book if you’re sensitive to this subject!!
If I had known what the book was about (a sexual crime detective and a psychologist who specialises in rape and sexual assault related cases) I could have better prepared myself, and not read this at a time where I actually needed something more light hearted. It’s a good enough book, but a painful one filled with many potential triggers and deeply upsetting themes- so definitely keep that in mind if you’re debating picking this one up! Jae has other books, so if this sounds too much I’d advise looking into their other works to see if there’s something less devastating that appeals to you.
Big fat trigger warning for rape!! It’s the main theme in the book, constantly mentioned and discussed in length (the happening, the effects, the legal battles that surround it, family reactions etc.) so definitely very triggering! Please don’t read this book if you’re sensitive to this subject!!
January 7, 2023
I feel like sometimes I miss trigger warnings for novels. I definitely missed the one needed for this novel, so the first half of the novel was a bit of a shock. This wasn't an easy read due to the rape of Dawn that happens soon after the book begins. Not only is there the rape itself, but the court case afterwards.
Both Dawn and Aidan are strong women who provide lots of support to each other during the novel. It's a very romantic storyline from this POV. Although I found it interesting to read the story of their romance after such a traumatic event, it really slowed the pace down in the second half of the novel.
Abby Craden's narration was brilliant, as always. I think she definitely elevated my enjoyment of Conflict of Interest.
Both Dawn and Aidan are strong women who provide lots of support to each other during the novel. It's a very romantic storyline from this POV. Although I found it interesting to read the story of their romance after such a traumatic event, it really slowed the pace down in the second half of the novel.
Abby Craden's narration was brilliant, as always. I think she definitely elevated my enjoyment of Conflict of Interest.
could-not-finish
February 5, 2025Sometimes I will read a book's reviews before I begin reading the book itself. And I will confess that I will start with the reviews of those who hated it. If they are silly, such as “Ugh. My wife says that this book had sex between two women,” I will consider the source. But if a book is really bad, you can get a pretty good idea of why from the one- and two-star reviews. You can also be pretty sure that they were not written by someone in the author's family or writing group. Conflict of Interest is not “really bad” but it isn't good either, despite Jae’s many admirers.
It starts out okay, despite the fact that she uses the word ‘grin’ four times in the first couple of pages (and a whopping 50 times in the book as a whole). A lesbian police detective, Aiden Carlisle meets and becomes attracted to a therapist—Dawn Kinsley—whose specialty is rape counseling. When Dawn herself is raped, Aiden comes to her rescue and helps capture the rapist. This takes up maybe a fourth of the book, which I would call average (about 3 stars). The next fourth, approximately, details the trial, and the courtroom scenes are very well done, so rate this portion a 4. The last half, however, chronicles Aiden’s and Dawn’s attempts to form a relationship despite Dawn’s aversion to sex and Aiden’s wishy-washiness and determination not to hurt—or push—Dawn too quickly. The best adjectives I found for this were in the poorer reviews for this book: redundant, tedious, sappy.
I tend to harp on editorial omissions and just plain bad editing. The history of this book seems to indicate that it has been edited to death and that neither the author or its many editors have any idea how to fix it. It is as badly put together as a book can be, with almost the entire story happening in the first half of the book. But it’s not just that. Nor is it the overuse of ‘grin,’,’ a word that has so much baggage left over from its overuse in juvenile series novels that it should be rarely used today—and for a very specific type of smile. The author’s use of internal conversation: ”Asking me to come home with her. Is he flirting?” is not well done, either. In fact, it’s overdone and blatant. And then there is the other type of internalizing: “Now that she knew Dawn better, she found that she wasn't just attracted to Dawn physically, she liked her as a person too.”
Gag me. This is not the kind of mature writing that is going to advance the literary popularity of lesbian mysteries. In fact, it sets it back. I have to confess that I skimmed much of the last half of the book, reading every fifth sentence or so. And I guarantee you that I missed nothing of importance. It is like a soap opera where you only have to look at it once a week to know exactly what is going on.
Some of the earlier reviews make it clear that an extensive revision has been done on this book since it first appeared in 2008--although not nearly extensive enough in my opinion. Yet upon its republication as an e-book by Ylva Press—at a way too-expensive price—Conflict of Interest has been on the Amazon Top 100 LBGT Mysteries list almost constantly. It even hit Number One. Someone needs to do some research on how this can happen when far better books, like those of Gina L. Dartt, Peta Fox, and Deborah Powell never seem to appear at all. I don’t care how few readers of lesbian mysteries there are, when books like Conflict of Interest, She Overheard Murder, or Small Town Trouble finish ahead of any of Katherine V. Forrest's books it is a shame and does not speak well of the level of readership involved.
My rating of the book as a whole? If I had read it from cover to cover and if I gate official star ratings, this one would be around a 2.
Note: purchased the revised, 2014 Smashwords version of this book.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 1250 other lesbian mysteries by over 350 authors.
It starts out okay, despite the fact that she uses the word ‘grin’ four times in the first couple of pages (and a whopping 50 times in the book as a whole). A lesbian police detective, Aiden Carlisle meets and becomes attracted to a therapist—Dawn Kinsley—whose specialty is rape counseling. When Dawn herself is raped, Aiden comes to her rescue and helps capture the rapist. This takes up maybe a fourth of the book, which I would call average (about 3 stars). The next fourth, approximately, details the trial, and the courtroom scenes are very well done, so rate this portion a 4. The last half, however, chronicles Aiden’s and Dawn’s attempts to form a relationship despite Dawn’s aversion to sex and Aiden’s wishy-washiness and determination not to hurt—or push—Dawn too quickly. The best adjectives I found for this were in the poorer reviews for this book: redundant, tedious, sappy.
I tend to harp on editorial omissions and just plain bad editing. The history of this book seems to indicate that it has been edited to death and that neither the author or its many editors have any idea how to fix it. It is as badly put together as a book can be, with almost the entire story happening in the first half of the book. But it’s not just that. Nor is it the overuse of ‘grin,’,’ a word that has so much baggage left over from its overuse in juvenile series novels that it should be rarely used today—and for a very specific type of smile. The author’s use of internal conversation: ”Asking me to come home with her. Is he flirting?” is not well done, either. In fact, it’s overdone and blatant. And then there is the other type of internalizing: “Now that she knew Dawn better, she found that she wasn't just attracted to Dawn physically, she liked her as a person too.”
Gag me. This is not the kind of mature writing that is going to advance the literary popularity of lesbian mysteries. In fact, it sets it back. I have to confess that I skimmed much of the last half of the book, reading every fifth sentence or so. And I guarantee you that I missed nothing of importance. It is like a soap opera where you only have to look at it once a week to know exactly what is going on.
Some of the earlier reviews make it clear that an extensive revision has been done on this book since it first appeared in 2008--although not nearly extensive enough in my opinion. Yet upon its republication as an e-book by Ylva Press—at a way too-expensive price—Conflict of Interest has been on the Amazon Top 100 LBGT Mysteries list almost constantly. It even hit Number One. Someone needs to do some research on how this can happen when far better books, like those of Gina L. Dartt, Peta Fox, and Deborah Powell never seem to appear at all. I don’t care how few readers of lesbian mysteries there are, when books like Conflict of Interest, She Overheard Murder, or Small Town Trouble finish ahead of any of Katherine V. Forrest's books it is a shame and does not speak well of the level of readership involved.
My rating of the book as a whole? If I had read it from cover to cover and if I gate official star ratings, this one would be around a 2.
Note: purchased the revised, 2014 Smashwords version of this book.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 1250 other lesbian mysteries by over 350 authors.
June 3, 2020
I was gripped!!!
Aiden isn’t impressed that she has to sit through a seminar but when Psychologist lecturer, Dawn Kinsley appears Aiden is instantly taken by surprise, and very much smitten upon first sight. Dawn feels a connection when she is introduced to Aiden after the seminar, but is determined not be involved with another cop, or open herself up to any further hurt that comes with loving those in the profession. When Dawn finds herself at the centre of a case Aiden is working on, Aiden finds herself crossing lines for Dawn that could threaten any chance of happiness they could find together.
The story was a complete thrill, despite the chilling and dark circumstances that present the situation in which Aiden and Dawn find themselves in. It was very edgy, emotionally raw, and just another side to Jae’s amazing writing talents I hadn’t endured before. I was amazed by how easy it was to connect with Aiden, Dawn, their situations, pasts and family in Dawn’s case. Aiden’s family is her professional one, and even there you could feel the connection. There was just so much for you as a reader to become emotionally invested in with this story.
For the most part it had me on the edge of my seat. Dawn and Aiden are going through something very traumatic, and there are a lot of professional and personal conflicts for them both, and together. Despite everything they tried so hard to make whatever relationship was developing between them to work, without causing a ripple effect and impacting the importance of the justice being sought for the case. It was a balancing act, and handled very well. Jae also handled the quite harrowing issues with sensitivity and utmost respect at all times. Although some may find the situation difficult to read about if you can it is definitely worth reading to experience just how strong an emotional connection, and love for one another Aiden and Dawn had.
There was a lot of insecurity and uncertainty for Dawn and Aiden, and for different reasons and from past and present events that had already impacted upon them and shaped their character. Dawn was a strong character who took a knock, and that can be scary as hell, losing confidence and control, whereas Aiden was that tough cookie, with walls of steel and decades of concealed hurt that only held her back. It was beautiful how they complimented each other and really brought them out of themselves.
I highly recommend this story, and am completely blow away with how amazing Jae’s range of talent for writing great stories goes. Is there nothing she can’t do expertly and to absolute perfection! An amazing crime/thriller romance with edge and emotion that shouldn’t be missed!
Aiden isn’t impressed that she has to sit through a seminar but when Psychologist lecturer, Dawn Kinsley appears Aiden is instantly taken by surprise, and very much smitten upon first sight. Dawn feels a connection when she is introduced to Aiden after the seminar, but is determined not be involved with another cop, or open herself up to any further hurt that comes with loving those in the profession. When Dawn finds herself at the centre of a case Aiden is working on, Aiden finds herself crossing lines for Dawn that could threaten any chance of happiness they could find together.
The story was a complete thrill, despite the chilling and dark circumstances that present the situation in which Aiden and Dawn find themselves in. It was very edgy, emotionally raw, and just another side to Jae’s amazing writing talents I hadn’t endured before. I was amazed by how easy it was to connect with Aiden, Dawn, their situations, pasts and family in Dawn’s case. Aiden’s family is her professional one, and even there you could feel the connection. There was just so much for you as a reader to become emotionally invested in with this story.
For the most part it had me on the edge of my seat. Dawn and Aiden are going through something very traumatic, and there are a lot of professional and personal conflicts for them both, and together. Despite everything they tried so hard to make whatever relationship was developing between them to work, without causing a ripple effect and impacting the importance of the justice being sought for the case. It was a balancing act, and handled very well. Jae also handled the quite harrowing issues with sensitivity and utmost respect at all times. Although some may find the situation difficult to read about if you can it is definitely worth reading to experience just how strong an emotional connection, and love for one another Aiden and Dawn had.
There was a lot of insecurity and uncertainty for Dawn and Aiden, and for different reasons and from past and present events that had already impacted upon them and shaped their character. Dawn was a strong character who took a knock, and that can be scary as hell, losing confidence and control, whereas Aiden was that tough cookie, with walls of steel and decades of concealed hurt that only held her back. It was beautiful how they complimented each other and really brought them out of themselves.
I highly recommend this story, and am completely blow away with how amazing Jae’s range of talent for writing great stories goes. Is there nothing she can’t do expertly and to absolute perfection! An amazing crime/thriller romance with edge and emotion that shouldn’t be missed!
June 19, 2022
2.5 rounded up.
Many of my GR friends loved this one and I can see why. There certainly were things that worked for me, among more that didn't. This was unlike any romance I've read so far; a driving force of the plot was the rape that occurs to one of the MC's. As a result of residual traumas, the budding relationship between the main couple was especially tender and warm. It taught me about patience as well as what intimacy can mean outside of sex and physical affection. Without the distractions of lust, the two characters got to know each other and learn to talk their problems out together. Props to Jae for handling a difficult subject matter like this and giving us a realistic depiction of a couple with issues learning to communicate and be vulnerable with each other.
Where this fell short for me likely has more to do with me than the book. I didn't connect to the characters or the relationship personally, in fact I was more interested in one of the side characters as a potential romantic option. I also believe I would have enjoyed this book a lot better if I had read it in 2008 during the social context of when it was published. Beyond the trivial outdated things like the pagers (I admit I had to look up what that looked like), the highly pervasive negative attitudes against same-sex relationships and the dialogue about same-sex marriage not yet being legal were fortunately anachronistic. It is so important to remember that these attitudes and their legal reflections existed in US history and I'm thankful we have published writing that captures it in amber. Beyond all the things done well here I was actually just bored for a lot of it.
My heart is going with a 2.5 for this one, so sorry for any Jae fans!
TL;DR- The way the author handled the topic of rape was mature. You see a couple working through trauma together in a mature way. I unfortunately did not connect with the main relationship. 2.5/5 stars
Many of my GR friends loved this one and I can see why. There certainly were things that worked for me, among more that didn't. This was unlike any romance I've read so far; a driving force of the plot was the rape that occurs to one of the MC's. As a result of residual traumas, the budding relationship between the main couple was especially tender and warm. It taught me about patience as well as what intimacy can mean outside of sex and physical affection. Without the distractions of lust, the two characters got to know each other and learn to talk their problems out together. Props to Jae for handling a difficult subject matter like this and giving us a realistic depiction of a couple with issues learning to communicate and be vulnerable with each other.
Where this fell short for me likely has more to do with me than the book. I didn't connect to the characters or the relationship personally, in fact I was more interested in one of the side characters as a potential romantic option. I also believe I would have enjoyed this book a lot better if I had read it in 2008 during the social context of when it was published. Beyond the trivial outdated things like the pagers (I admit I had to look up what that looked like), the highly pervasive negative attitudes against same-sex relationships and the dialogue about same-sex marriage not yet being legal were fortunately anachronistic. It is so important to remember that these attitudes and their legal reflections existed in US history and I'm thankful we have published writing that captures it in amber. Beyond all the things done well here I was actually just bored for a lot of it.
My heart is going with a 2.5 for this one, so sorry for any Jae fans!
TL;DR- The way the author handled the topic of rape was mature. You see a couple working through trauma together in a mature way. I unfortunately did not connect with the main relationship. 2.5/5 stars
October 26, 2022
Jae and Abby Craden make a formidable pair in this emotionally gripping romantic mystery/crime novel. Perfectly narrated (we all know Abby is a goddess!) and written beautifully, this was an absolute home run for me.
The book centers around a subject that I usually find pretty tough to stomach, which is rape. Both MCs work in the field of sex crimes - Aiden as a detective, and Dawn as a psychologist working with rape victims - but moreover, a rape occurs early on in the story that hits much closer to home. Jae handles a really difficult subject so well, with a lot of sensitivity, and while there is a focus on the crime itself, the book is more about what the victim goes through and how much compassion, sensitivity, and patience it takes to overcome a trauma like that.
The relationship between the two MCs is absolutely beautiful, Jae deserves a chef's kiss for this one! The MCs are such deep, complex, and likable characters, and their chemistry is so real and deeply emotional. There's no love at first sight or raw physical attraction driving the relationship here, it's so much deeper than that, an emotional connection that you can feel between them as well as genuine effort on both sides that develops the relationship between them. Both characters show such emotional sensitivity and maturity and work to understand each other's traumas and history in order to be there for each other. It's a slow burn, but it never feels like it drags because every interaction and event feels important and satisfying, even without romantic or sexual gratification.
This book ran me through a gamut of emotions and I was completely invested in it the entire way. I'm jumping straight into Next of Kin and I highly recommend giving this one a listen (or read) if you haven't already. [Do bear in mind the trigger warning as rape is a central theme here and there is an off-the-page rape that is referenced throughout.]
The book centers around a subject that I usually find pretty tough to stomach, which is rape. Both MCs work in the field of sex crimes - Aiden as a detective, and Dawn as a psychologist working with rape victims - but moreover, a rape occurs early on in the story that hits much closer to home. Jae handles a really difficult subject so well, with a lot of sensitivity, and while there is a focus on the crime itself, the book is more about what the victim goes through and how much compassion, sensitivity, and patience it takes to overcome a trauma like that.
The relationship between the two MCs is absolutely beautiful, Jae deserves a chef's kiss for this one! The MCs are such deep, complex, and likable characters, and their chemistry is so real and deeply emotional. There's no love at first sight or raw physical attraction driving the relationship here, it's so much deeper than that, an emotional connection that you can feel between them as well as genuine effort on both sides that develops the relationship between them. Both characters show such emotional sensitivity and maturity and work to understand each other's traumas and history in order to be there for each other. It's a slow burn, but it never feels like it drags because every interaction and event feels important and satisfying, even without romantic or sexual gratification.
This book ran me through a gamut of emotions and I was completely invested in it the entire way. I'm jumping straight into Next of Kin and I highly recommend giving this one a listen (or read) if you haven't already. [Do bear in mind the trigger warning as rape is a central theme here and there is an off-the-page rape that is referenced throughout.]
June 6, 2022
Conflict of Interest by Jae is the first book in the Portland Police Bureau series and the relationships formed within this story are what make this series one of my all-time favourites.
The premise of the story is very intense, as Aiden is a police detective within the sexual assault department, and Dawn is a victim of rape. These two had met briefly a couple of times prior and had instant chemistry, however, the brutality of the crime and the fact that Dawn is now a part of Aiden’s case slow down their feeling towards each other. Their relationship builds slowly, and once the case is closed, their undeniable attraction to each other can be addressed.
Dawn is a strong-willed independent woman who finds that having Aiden around doesn’t take any of that away from her, she just adds another layer of support. Aiden, who is quite reserved, but extremely loyal has demons of her own and hasn’t always gotten things out of her system in appropriate ways, but Dawn is the woman she never knew she needed.
Conflict of Interest has a lot of very serious content, and may not be for everyone, however, Jae does an amazing job of writing about such a horrifically brutal crime, while ensuring the characters have all the love and support, they need. She has created two MCs who are passionate, sensitive, dependable, and captivating. One of the things I liked is that Aiden and Dawn communicate; there is never really a doubt about their feeling toward each other once they start discussing it.
This time around was not the first time listening to Conflict of Interest, these characters make you want to revisit them, and Abby Craden adds does her thing making Aiden sounds sexy as hell and Dawn cute and feisty. Check it out, and have book two ready to go – it’s a bit more on the lighter side.
The premise of the story is very intense, as Aiden is a police detective within the sexual assault department, and Dawn is a victim of rape. These two had met briefly a couple of times prior and had instant chemistry, however, the brutality of the crime and the fact that Dawn is now a part of Aiden’s case slow down their feeling towards each other. Their relationship builds slowly, and once the case is closed, their undeniable attraction to each other can be addressed.
Dawn is a strong-willed independent woman who finds that having Aiden around doesn’t take any of that away from her, she just adds another layer of support. Aiden, who is quite reserved, but extremely loyal has demons of her own and hasn’t always gotten things out of her system in appropriate ways, but Dawn is the woman she never knew she needed.
Conflict of Interest has a lot of very serious content, and may not be for everyone, however, Jae does an amazing job of writing about such a horrifically brutal crime, while ensuring the characters have all the love and support, they need. She has created two MCs who are passionate, sensitive, dependable, and captivating. One of the things I liked is that Aiden and Dawn communicate; there is never really a doubt about their feeling toward each other once they start discussing it.
This time around was not the first time listening to Conflict of Interest, these characters make you want to revisit them, and Abby Craden adds does her thing making Aiden sounds sexy as hell and Dawn cute and feisty. Check it out, and have book two ready to go – it’s a bit more on the lighter side.
May 18, 2016
Excellent read
I really like Jae's writing style. It's quick witted and entertaining. Her characters are realistic and very likable. Jae is very easy to read and the storyline easy to follow. What I like the most about Jae is how she manages to involve you in the story to the extent that you care, even for the fringe characters. A few unanswered questions but I assume that they will be answered in book two, so I'm off to read that. Enjoy you'll love it.
I really like Jae's writing style. It's quick witted and entertaining. Her characters are realistic and very likable. Jae is very easy to read and the storyline easy to follow. What I like the most about Jae is how she manages to involve you in the story to the extent that you care, even for the fringe characters. A few unanswered questions but I assume that they will be answered in book two, so I'm off to read that. Enjoy you'll love it.
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