The Sinner's Son

Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood #2

by Aimee Nicole Walker

Can a sinner’s son outrun his father’s shadow, or will darkness follow him everywhere and taint everything?

No one’s life should be reduced to random items in an evidence box, only to collect dust for decades. Seeking justice for the forgotten will bring a temporary partner into Sawyer’s life who threatens his carefully curated peace. Alec Bishop, the son of a serial killer, arrives in Savannah with an audacious ego, an unwillingness to accept boundaries, and an overzealous fan club. Calling it quits isn’t part of Sawyer’s character, but he might not have a choice when the circumstances surrounding the sinner’s son take a dark twist.

Nature versus nurture? The age-old question forces Sawyer and Royce to reevaluate the relationships with their fathers, and it influences the parents they aspire to be now that the countdown to Baby Locke has begun.

The Sinner’s Son is book two in the Felonies and Fatherhood trilogy, the third installment in the Royce Locke and Sawyer Key story arc. ** New readers should start with the Zero Hour and Matrimony and Mayhem trilogies before reading Felonies and Fatherhood. ** The Sinner’s Son continues Royce and Sawyer’s happily ever after as they move into the most anticipated phase of their lives. Though some storylines span the trilogy, this book does not end in a cliffhanger. Heat, humor, heart, and homicide abound. You have been warned. 18

Genres: M M Romance, Mystery, Contemporary, LGBT, M M Mystery, Romance, Mystery Thriller

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2025

About the author

I'm a wife and mother of three teenage kids. I've been married to the same wonderful man for twenty years. I've decided that if I can survive raising three kids then I can survive anything!! I haven't uttered the Mama's curse yet, but it could happen any day now. You know the one..."I hope you have a child just like you someday."

I'm an avid reader and lover of all things romance. I've spent my entire adult life waiting to follow my dreams of becoming a writer. One day this past summer, I decided to just do it. No more wishing and hoping. I haven't quit my day job, but that is my ultimate goal...make a living telling stories of love.

I write contemporary gay fiction. I hope you will love reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them.

Reviews

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh that was good.

I honestly wasn't sure what I was going to get with this one, the Blurb is enticing but also leaves things fairly open as to what the narrative will be and Aimee delivered a truly absorbing tale with some unexpected twists.

While I had collared pretty early on who the villain of the piece was likely to be, given the particular turn the story takes, which obviously I won't be spoiling here, it still didn't stop my enjoyment of seeing the detective work unfold on the page.

There's plenty of wonderful time spent just with Sawyer and Royce too, and I also very much loved the scenes with Royce's dad Eddie, something I never thought I'd find myself writing at the start of this whole adventure!

The baby element of the plot is also really sweet in this instalment, with plenty of moments for awwwww-ing at the antics and anticipation of the two dads to be, as well as their extended friends and family.

The mystery mentioned in the book's title, and the Blurb, isn't quite as much to the forefront as you might expect, but that's not to say it isn't still important and it works incredibly well alongside what does become the main driver for the suspense part of the story.

I very much enjoyed every bit of this longer length novella, it only took me a couple of hours to read, perfect alongside my mug of tea at bedtime!

#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review

[Florence . · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love domesticity and I love reading about established couples spending time together and Sawyer and Royce are in my top 3 all time favorite book couples so I always love reading about them. These two’s interactions are always full of banter, love and deep knowleage about each other that only comes after you have been with someone for a while and it’s just the best to read about.

the crime plot was so fun in this one. I had the best time trying to analyze all the cues and trying to guess what was happening. I will never tire of reading about these guys and their investigations.

[Vanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic continuation of ANW’s Felonies and Fatherhood series and a real treat for anyone invested in Royce and Sawyer. The mystery is engaging and layered, keeping the suspense high, while the emotional heart of the story—impending fatherhood and chosen family—adds all the warm fuzzies. Watching Royce and Sawyer navigate baby scans, banter, and big feelings is downright adorable, and it’s impossible not to root for them as future dads. The investigation was interesting and although I was able to guess the culprit, the twists still landed well, and the balance of laughter, tears, and heartfelt moments was spot-on. Not a standalone, but a deeply satisfying return to the Locke and Key universe. I loved every page and highly recommend this series! ❤️👍

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Ahhhh Sawyer and Royce are simply the most scrumptious hubbies I could get behind forever, and I loved reading about them embarking on expanding their loving family unit!

I really enjoyed this installment much more than the first, primarily because the creepy cold case and the serial killer's son shored up the narrative body I was missing in Book 1. There was atmospheric, plotty tension. There was some dynamic cop action that had me nervous for a sec ngl. There were a bunch of characters under duress, and a couple more who got under everyone's skin!

So yeah the energy in this was more well-rounded for me, focusing/building on the foundations that made Locke and Key the dynamic duo they show up as today. Now, 3 series deep and in different depts, they're still so unapologetically in love and killing it as Detective-Dads in the making: baby-on-the-brain edition, and I cannot get enough of their loving!!

The Sinner's Son brought back that Zero Hour vibe, but with the kind of sexy intimacy between Sawyer and Royce that was blazing hot to read because the relationship chemistry naturally deepened over time! I loved that in between solving mysteries and keeping their lil secret an actual surprise, Sawyer and Royce's romance gave me all the feels and I believe that theirs is truly a forever kind of love!

Overall, The Sinner's Son was awesome, and it's such a smushy pleasure to be on this journey with Locke and Key, as they take their romance to the next level and add fatherhood to their story! Sawyer and Royce are the gift that keeps on giving and I can't wait for the next installment in the series because if Brokered Betrayals is anything like this was, it will be a winner for me!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜 Li’l Plum💜

Sawyer and Royce have long been one of my favourite couples and it’s a partnership that has grown so much over the years and never gets old, and Aimee Nicole Walker is one of my favourite authors since I found her Curl Up and Dye and Blissville series in 2017, so I always look forward to her next release.

To enjoy the developing relationship of these two gorgeous men, their family, friends and colleagues at the Savannah PD, you really need to go back to where it all started with the Zero Hours books as this is not a standalone book. We have gone from their first difficult and antagonistic meeting, being partnered in the homicide department, to red hot chemistry, becoming husbands, difficult family issues, becoming daddies to a cat and dog, and making the decision to become parents and with the help of their brilliant friend Kelsey we pick up with them at the scan of their Li’l Plum.

In with their happiness and 🔥 times the author has thrown in a character, Alec, the son of a notorious serial killer who has started a podcast discussing his father and his quest to bring justice to all the victims who haven’t been identified as his victims yet. He doesn’t make a very good impression when he arrives with his crew to work with Sawyer, especially with Royce, but his character gets better as the story unfolds and I would really like to find out if there is anything lasting between him and another character.

It’s amusing to see that their love life is as hot and energetic as always but their bodies are showing their age. The love and commitment that this couple share jumps off the page and as good and intriguing as their cases are it is their relationship that really draws me in and I cannot wait for the next book to watch their Li’l Plum become a Li’l Pumpkin 🤷🏼‍♀️💜

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Sawyer and Royce are back in the second instalment of this latest trilogy, as they prepare to become parents with the help of their friend and surrogate, Kelsey, whose pregnancy is progressing. So the trio are getting ready to share the news with their boss, family, and friends.

However, before they can break the news, Sawyer must deal with the impending arrival of Alec Bishop. Alec is eager to prove that his serial killer father has more victims than the FBI has identified. Unfortunately, though, he isn’t making friends easily, especially with Royce, who feels Alec is becoming too friendly and is taking advantage of his husband.

But soon, Alec becomes the least of Royce’s problems. As a new cadet, who is a friend of Royce’s nephew, desperately needs help. As his brother has disappeared, and when the family try to report him missing, they don’t receive the assistance or response they deserve. So determined to show this desperate family that not all cops are bad, Royce and his nephew step up to help. And Royce is especially committed to ensuring the disappearance is thoroughly investigated.

However, they don’t expect the trail to lead back to Alec. And Sawyer and Royce question whether Alec is more like his father than he has admitted, especially considering his erratic behaviour.

And with emotion, suspense, mystery, and humour, not to mention a few steamy moments, The Sinner's Son once again captivated me and showcases the incredible growth of characters Sawyer and Royce since they first came together as partners in the Zero Hour trilogy.

I would happily recommend this series to all, but I would start right at the beginning with the Zero Hour trilogy to really understand these characters and the journey they've been on.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good story and I look forward to reading the next

Rating: 4🌈

The Sinner’s Son is the second in the Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood series by Aimee Nicole Walker. It’s a ongoing dramatic story about a couple who have traveled from their first encounter and police cases as police officers through the obstacles of a complicated process of their relationship and respective careers through the process of marriage and now fatherhood.

With any long history and multiple series like this, there is going to be books that will hit on every level and some that will fall short.

For me, The Sinner’s Son fell a bit short. Too much of repetition in terms of certain aspects of the storyline. I felt like I anticipated the plot and villain. Especially since the overall mystery going through to the next book seems clear.

For me the best elements are those surrounding the impending birth, their emotional state about fatherhood, their friends and support.

The mystery feels less well developed than usual. Or maybe I just read too many mystery novels. And listen to too many crime podcasts.


Either way, I enjoyed the first novel more. And will look forward to reading Brokered Betrayals later this year.


Cover photo © Wander Aguiar
Cover design © Natasha Snow

Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood series:
The Paternity Puzzle #1
The Sinner’s Son #2
Brokered Betrayals #3 - Dec 16, 2025

Preceding Necessary Locke and Key Series :
Zero Hour (3 books)
Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem (3 book series)

Related series:
Sinister in Savannah (3 book series)

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Felonies and Fatherhood series. This book is not a standalone and should be read in series order. The story line and characters continue on from the first book The Paternity Puzzle. Police Detectives Sawyer and Royce are expecting a baby through their surrogate/friend Kelsey. Well earned happiness abounds. They plan to let all their family and friends know at the upcoming Labor Day get together. That is if both of them can keep their secret to themselves. Royce has a mystery to deal with when the older brother of one of his students form the explorer academy disappears. As their family situation is precarious, it doesn't make sense that he would voluntarily disappear. And Sawyer's cold case skills are put to the test when Alec Bishop, a serial killer's son, arrives to help give closure to all the victims he believes are still unaccounted for. His infamy over turning his father in to the FBI resulted in his writing a book about the events and having a podcast documenting everything. Being over zealous to start working with Sawyer, he inadvertently ruffles the feathers of the very people he needs to help him solve any outstanding mysteries. This is their story. The book is well written and is easy to read. I sat down and read the entire book in one sitting. I enjoyed seeing how Royce and his dad Eddie's relationship has changed and grown. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from GRR and I am voluntarily leaving a review. I enjoyed this novella and I am looking forward to the next book in this series. This author doesn't disappoint.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS

This is book two of Sawyer and Royce Felonies and Fatherhood. If it's possible, this is even better than the kickoff story of the series. In book one, the happily married men are hoping to extend their family with the help of their friend Kelsey. They are planning a surrogacy pregnancy.

It is advisable that you read the two previous trilogies of Royce and Sawyer, along with book one of this new series. The men have come so far in their lives. The relationship has truly evolved into a special and equal partnership, and their love remains strong.

I also enjoyed seeing how other familial relationships have also changed for the better. The effervescent and delightful Evangeline, who is Sawyer's famous mother, does not disappoint. She combines elegance with, at times, overbearing mothering into an art form.

There is also a mystery that is as solid as the romantic aspects. Someone has murdered a fertility Doctor who has been accused of unspeakable deeds. The Doctor's family dynamics make dysfunctional seem normal.

Between the stress and excitement of trying to have a baby in their future, along with the bizarre murder, it makes for a trying time, but our favorite detectives are up for the task. If you enjoy sweet, tender moments along with a smoldering love, this fast-paced story will be sure to please. I simply can not wait for book three! Happy reading.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement.*

[Jenette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really did not like this book. Like I’ve never wanted a character to turn up dead so badly. The plot on this one was thin as hell, the dialogue full of corny self-awareness that felt rehearsed and clunky. Alec’s character took a complete 180 (for frankly no reason that I could see except to make yet one more character shiny and likeable - it didn’t work) and there was no mystery.

And yes, I’m aware there was both a missing persons case and a cold case “featured” in this book but I stand by what I said. This whole book was a joke. I feel like the further you get into this series the more the author has completely lost sight of where it started. I didn’t need two follow up trilogies that kind of ruined the original for me. And I certainly don’t need another podcast team taking up all my page space.

If you don’t actually want to write about Sawyer and Royce you could just not? Have them make a cameo in the other series you clearly want to write. Heck, write a short and publish it on your website which frankly this book could have been.

Also, while I’m complaining, if any of you out there have parents who just make out in front of you over the dinner table I’m so sorry. Feel free to toss a jug of ice cold water over them because that just gave me the major ick and was completely unnecessary.

Like so much of this book.

[Elaine Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sawyer and Royce return in this emotionally rich and suspense-laced installment, and once again, they prove why they’re such beloved characters. With the joyful anticipation of expanding the Locke family, their love feels deeper than ever—playful, passionate, and fiercely loyal. Their chemistry continues to leap off the page, reminding readers that romance doesn’t fade; it evolves.
The plot thickens as Sawyer is pulled into a chilling investigation involving the son of a serial killer—a character whose overbearing nature and erratic behavior add tension to an already complex case. Alec’s sudden personality shift during his collaboration with Sawyer felt jarring, and the link to the missing cadet’s brother came across as a bit too convenient. Still, the mystery kept me engaged, and the introduction of two new characters added fresh dynamics to the story.
Royce and Sawyer’s unofficial involvement in the investigation showcases their relentless drive for justice, even when it’s messy and personal. But what truly anchors the story is the warmth of their world: a chosen family full of laughter, support, and unwavering love. No matter the twists and turns, reading about Sawyer and Royce always feels like coming home.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sinner´s Son is the second book of the Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood series.

The book begins a few months after the end of the first book.
It is best to read it in order; it cannot be read as a standalone book, as it continues with the plots and characters from the first book.



It is time to find out how Kels' pregnancy is progressing, although the boys have not yet told any of their relatives. Alec continues to appear in the book and in Sawyer's life, which Royce does not like at all.

The mystery now centers on Royce's explorer academy when the older brother of one of his students disappears. It is not a voluntary disappearance, as they have a complicated family situation.

Parallel to the mystery plot, the relationship between Royce and his father improves.

I really enjoyed it, because these books mix mystery and, even though they are an established couple, they have not lost their passion or desire to enjoy life.


I can't wait to read the third one.

+I want to thank GRR for provide the arc copy of this book, and this is my volutary and honest opinion+.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sawyer works hard to bring cold cases to conclusion. Now he has a helper in the form of Alec Bishop whose father was a serial killer and responsible for some of those closes cases. Alex does have some problems with professionalism causing issues for both Royce and Sawyer. At the same time, Sawyer and his husband Royce are embarking on the greatest adventure imaginable – becoming parents.

The Sinner’s Son had so much going on. Royce and Sawyer are getting ready for Baby Locke to arrive. Movement is finally happening on some of the cold cases. A new Academy student has some serious issues which requires the type of help Royce and Sawyer can provide. Telling their family of their impending change is not going according to plan. Through it all the two continue to focus on each other and on their jobs while not forgetting the other important things. This book is filled with love, a look at family dynamics and just the right touch of humor. An appealing story from beginning to end, The Sinner’s Son with touch your heart and tug on your emotions.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[SNik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in series (Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood), best if read in order. Established couple. Dual POV.

Sawyer and Royce are overjoyed and gearing up to tell family and friends about their anticipated addition to the Locke family, while Sawyer has to manage working with an overbearing son of a serial killer to match some cold cases to his father.

These familiar characters still love hard, still are playful and strongly committed, and are still burning up the sheets whenever they are together. Two sets of new characters are involved in the story’s investigation, and both Royce and Sawyer get involved unofficially. I was confused by the personality flip of Alec as he works with Sawyer, and the connection to the disappearance of a cadet’s brother was convenient, but I did enjoy the story nonetheless. I really enjoy reading anything with Sawyer and Royce as they live a life full of love, laughter, and surrounded by a great supportive group of family and friends. 4.5 rounded up

[Manon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not a standalone, you need not only to have read the first Felonies and Fatherhood one but also all other Sawyer and Royce books to understand the story line and dynamics.

This book is so great. While I absolutely adore these two characters, I found the last couple of books a bit too much on the couple side and not enough mystery. Too sweet and not enough bite.

But this one - we are bang back how the first three books in the Zero Hours series tackled a mystery.

It’s not a pretty story and while I personally guessed the baddie quite quickly, it was enough suspense for me to read this book in one sitting.
Sawyer also has to learn not to see things always black and white. I liked Alex’s development and hope we see him again.

There is plenty of cute baby news, their relationship with Kelsey is great. As this time it was the side plot I didn’t mind the sugary sweetness.

My only niggle was the couple of side comments to Royce about Sawyers’s close working relationship with Alex, that was not needed.

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another confirmation that Royce and Sawyer are firmly in the top of my favourite mm couples 🥰 This is book 2 of the third trilogy about police detectives/sergeants Royce Locke and Sawyer Key.

I was majorly stressed out about this book after the end of book 1 and the blurb. The stress ended up lingering throughout. In the end, it was less angsty than I thought, though. This story introduces new characters I really wouldn't mind reading about more in their own book(s), two mysteries, parent shenanigans, poolside shenanigans and tiny swim shorts (I can never hear a song from the Beastie Boys without seeing this scene in my mind 😂), baby announcements that don't turn out as planned but are the better for it and all the love.

I adore the found family in this series. If you ever need people to have your back, you really wish they would be like Royce and Sawyer! And the food!

The love between these two men just keeps shining brighter and brighter. Now the waiting for the last book starts. I'm not sure I'll be ready to say goodbye 😟

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two, I’m surprised they kept this pregnancy a secret for as long as they did. Yes, in the latest book of the Felonies and Fatherhood series, so not a standalone, Sawyer and Royce are now in the second trimester of their journey with Kelsey. And of course, ANW couldn’t just let them just struggle with how to tell everyone. Oh no, Sawyer is pulled into helping Alec, from the first book, go through their cold cases for possible connections to Alec’s serial killer father. Royce finds himself helping one of his Explorers with a missing person case. These two arcs unexpectedly become intertwined. It’s not hard to figure out who did it. The storylines allow us visits with Eddie and Jo, our favorite hardware store, Evangeline and Barron and Dolly and Bones interspersed with some wonderfully sexy times and lectures about healthy food. The “public” announcement for the few who did not know was lovely. But what makes the perfect epilogue…the name! We finally find out someone’s first name! Can’t wait for the third trimester!

[HarriReadsRoMMance · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! Royce and Sawyer’s journey to become fathers continues and becomes more real as they tell their loved ones what they have been planning.

Alec Bishop, the son of a serial unaliver who has been bugging Sawyer for months, finally lands in Savannah to get help finding more victims and manages to annoy Sawyer immediately. As they set out in their investigation for Alec’s documentary he unfortunately becomes the main suspect in a missing persons case. I loved the way this case played out and I could imagine it as an episode of SVU.

I can’t believe there is only one book left in this story and am so excited for these two awesome characters to meet their little one ♥️ Royce and Sawyer continue to be one of my favourite crime fighting couples. I would even read about them in retirement running things at Sal’s Hardware 😀

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book in this latest Locke and Key trilogy. The title does a lot of work here in terms of the dual storylines and throwing out the question of nature vs nurture. The missing person mystery, the cold case murder mystery, Royce’s background, Sawyer’s background, the hard to figure out Alec and his background all combine to form an intricate puzzle. The author does a great job in setting up the mystery and toying with our emotions. Plus we get the pleasure of more baby news and sonograms and the announcement of the impending joy. As an expectant grandmother that part was exciting and I LOVE the song that was introduced as part of that plotline.

This was a one sitting read for me because I didn’t want to put it down. My body was unhappy with me at 6:00am after an all nighter but my brain and heart were pleased. Looking forward to book three and the arrival of Baby Locke.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time Royce, Sawyer and Kelsey saw the sonogram or heard the heartbeat of their “Lil Plum” during the checkups my heart felt every single one of their emotions. Whenever Royce and Sawyer discussed being parents and what their new reality would be like, my smile for them couldn’t have been wider. The impeding parenthood of these wonderful men was superbly balanced with a close to home missing persons case and Sawyer working together with Alec to solve some more of his serial killer father’s cases. The missing persons case had a bit of an interesting twist to it, Royce and Sawyer’s relationship is still as strong and as steamy as ever and they throw a beautiful baby announcement gathering after some rather interesting earlier ideas!
This was a very enjoyable read that kept me entertained from start to finish and I look forward to more Royce, Sawyer and “Lil Plum” adventures.

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sawyer and Royce are my favourite MM couple of all time. I adore these books, and I love how we’ve been through everything with them, from first time meeting to sonograms of their child 🥹 The Sinner’s Son is possibly the most excited for an ARC I’ve ever been. The second it hit my Kindle, I delved in. It has everything: classic Royce humour, a character you don’t know if you trust, a case you feel emotionally attached to, and two husbands preparing for their baby’s arrival while being so happy. Oh, and the sexy times are top tier, as usual. Every time Royce called Sawyer by his married name, I swooned.

Aimee Nicole Walker has cemented herself as one of my favourite authors, and if you’ve loved the Sawyer and Royce books so far, this one could easily become your favourite.

Thank you GRR for the ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.

[Emilyrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt like it was back to the early days of Sawyer and Royce with the perfect mix of romance, humour, steam but also mystery from their cases at work. I love this couple and the journey they've been on (it's definitely not a stand alone book). There were parts of this book where I predicted what would happen but was proved wrong and I love it when that happens! The boys' family were great secondary characters again, I loved the whole Sutton family and even Alec grew on me by the end of the book. It was well-paced with interesting plot lines alongside Royce and Sawyer continuing their journey to fatherhood. I can't wait for the final book. This pair are some of my all-time favourite characters and they 100% deserve the best HEA possible.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Tracy Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Loved this book so much! It was full of suspense, love, steam, banter and some angst, you’ll get smiles out of it too. I freaking love Royce and Sawyer. I did since their very first book and I continue to love them more and more and I’m so so happy for them. You’ll meet new characters in this book and more from Alec since his mentioned in book one, I didn’t like him then and I was iffy in this book, still not sure of him yet though. The Sutton family I loved and my heart went out to them, so sad but I’m glad they got Royce and Sawyer there to help. Corey, him I was sure about but I kinda figured him out when he wore something that wasn’t his, crazy… Royce and his father getting along better is great to read more of. I loved the family get togethers, especially at the end, happy tears. Such a wonderful read, I devoured book in one sitting;)

[Nancy Lockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fun and exciting Sawyer and Royce installment. The sex of their baby is revealed with all of the cute nicknames. Alec Bishop shows up in Savannah to work with Sawyer to find out if any of the women who went missing there were his father's victims. Alec starts off on the wrong foot with Sawyer by pushing too hard and showing up at events that he shouldn't like Royce's new Explorers class banquet. When Dane, an escort and the brother of one of Royce's new cadets, goes missing there is a race to find him alive. Alec is a suspect as he and Dane spent most of the night together right before Dane went missing. I really enjoyed the banter between Royce and Sawyer and also seeing how Royce and his father are becoming closer. This book had a few twist and turns that kept is entertaining. I can't wait until we get to meet baby Locke.

[Heather Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

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We all knew this story was going to be highly entertaining!

The son of a serial killer is trying to find the victims of his father. But are his intentions well-meaning? Is he going to destroy all their careers? And more importantly, will Royce end up throttling him? And as things twist and turn…oh boy.

This case kept everyone on their toes, but it also brought some beautiful and important people into their lives. And I love the mix of daily life and their cases. Their personal lives and friendships are such a core element to who they are.

They really are going to make exceptional fathers. They have hearts of gold.

[Marsha L Respess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story! I love Royce and Sawyer and am really enjoying their baby journey and how close Royce and his father Eddie are becoming and the hilarity of trying to keep the news of the baby a secret from family members before Labor Day. I admit that I did not like or trust Alec when he came to Savannah for look for more victims of his serial killer father and was interfering with the relationship of Sawyer and Royce. Cayden was so sweet and his family life was so stressful and then his brother Dane disappeared and the detectives were so dismissive since Dane was earning extra money as an escort and then Katie O'Donnell took over and was very serious. I figured out who was responsible for Dane's disappearance and was relieved he was rescued and hope that he and Alec can find a way to be together.
Looking forward to the next book.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Locke and Key

Ah, impending fatherhood for or 2 heroes! This is another interesting addition to the Locke and Key universe.
Sawyer is still working to solve some cold cases, potentially related to a serial killer. An added wrinkle is that he's working with the son of said perp and he's giving Sawyer a hard time.
Royce is still mending things with his dad and trying to solve a mystery involving one of his cadets.
Note that this is not a standalone series and is best read after Zero Hour and Matrimony/Mayhem trilogies. It's a great continuation for Locke and Key after their HEA.
I loved seeing them still wildly in love, their banter and their family and friends - such a lovely progression of their lives - all while working cases/mysteries.
Happy to be back with these two men.

[Alastair H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royce and Sawyer return! I'm so happy the author decided to do one more trio of books for these two. I was thinking about it while I was reading this one and realized this is technically the 8th book with Royce and Sawyer, so if you like series that follow the same couple, this one promises to keep you busy for awhile.

I liked this one a lot, way more than the first book of the group since this one was a bit lower angst and focused a lot of the progression of the pregnancy. Honestly at this point although there are mysteries to solve in each book, I would call these pretty fluffy reads. They're great if you've already read all of Sawyer and Royce's other adventures - full of the two just living their best life in love.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since both Sawyer and Royce are both in the business of solving crime and helping what they do best happens within the pages of this story. And interestingly although they start on different cases with different 'partners' things come to a common crossroads for them as they work. Even in work their synergy shows itself. But what is most important in this story is their impending fatherhood, which is as complex and in some ways scarier than the crimes they work to solve. And this chapter/book in their journey unfolds with heart, joy, humor and some scary moments - with a baby involved that is to be expected. This was yet another nice visit with this pair and I am looking forward to more.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation of this spin-off series. I think the series is moving at a good pace and doesn't feel rushed and I'm enjoying seeing Royce and Sawyer at different stages of their parenthood process. The addition of the intrigue and Alec was great and the personal connection between the two (and Jason) really heightened the suspense and jeopardy.
Sawyer and Royce, as ever, are still a joy to read, they are a great couple whose love and commitment is never in doubt. Eddie was a bit more prominent in this one too and it's nice to see his relationship with Royce develop and grow as they recover from the past.
Can't get enough of these two!