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Kismet
My name is Dominique Chevalier, and I am broken. Two years ago, a beloved part of me died. Angelique was everything, but she left me alone.
Alone with an infant, a broken heart, unimaginable pain, and a promise that I’ll never forget.
After relocating and taking a job as Ottawa’s chief forensic pathologist, I find purpose.
I find escape from the anguish that threatens to drown me.
I find him.
Detective Kobe Haven is everything I can’t have but everything I want.
Our paths cross when we are called to investigate a murder. Kobe is charming, smart, and relentless, but I can’t move on. I’m not ready. Before I know what’s happening, he’s under my skin, inside my veins, warming a special place in my heart.
I can’t turn him off.
He’s all I think about.
But do I really know him?
Does he really know me?
As the case unravels and the bodies pile up, true feelings surface.
Winter storms rage. Spring is nothing more than a feverish wish on a cold night. Eternally out of reach.
Or is it?
Is Kobe someone I can trust?
Is he someone I can love?
Alone with an infant, a broken heart, unimaginable pain, and a promise that I’ll never forget.
After relocating and taking a job as Ottawa’s chief forensic pathologist, I find purpose.
I find escape from the anguish that threatens to drown me.
I find him.
Detective Kobe Haven is everything I can’t have but everything I want.
Our paths cross when we are called to investigate a murder. Kobe is charming, smart, and relentless, but I can’t move on. I’m not ready. Before I know what’s happening, he’s under my skin, inside my veins, warming a special place in my heart.
I can’t turn him off.
He’s all I think about.
But do I really know him?
Does he really know me?
As the case unravels and the bodies pile up, true feelings surface.
Winter storms rage. Spring is nothing more than a feverish wish on a cold night. Eternally out of reach.
Or is it?
Is Kobe someone I can trust?
Is he someone I can love?
472 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 22, 2025
147 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Nicky James
75 books2,248 followersI live in the small town of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada and I am a mother to a wonderful teenage boy (didn't think those words could be typed together...surprise) and wife to a truly supportive and understanding husband, who thankfully doesn't think I'm crazy.
I have always had two profound dreams in life. To fall back hundreds of years in time and live in a simpler world, not bogged down by technology and to write novels. Since only one of these was a possibility I decided to make the other come alive on paper.
I write mm romance novels that take place in fantastical medieval type settings and love to use the challenges of the times to give my stories and characters life.
I have always had two profound dreams in life. To fall back hundreds of years in time and live in a simpler world, not bogged down by technology and to write novels. Since only one of these was a possibility I decided to make the other come alive on paper.
I write mm romance novels that take place in fantastical medieval type settings and love to use the challenges of the times to give my stories and characters life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
December 31, 2025
Actual footage of me in the aftermath:
The less you know going in, the better, so I'll keep this brief:
1. Outstanding mystery: serial killer targeting the dregs of humanity.
2. Subdued romance between Kobe, a hotshot detective, and Dominique, a forensic pathologist; two broken men who meet in the worst of circumstances and form a unique, unlikely bond.
3. A bit of holiday cheer (really) because light shines in the darkness.
4. Heart-stopping, unsettling ending; not a HEA but something small and hopeful.
The less you know going in, the better, so I'll keep this brief:
1. Outstanding mystery: serial killer targeting the dregs of humanity.
2. Subdued romance between Kobe, a hotshot detective, and Dominique, a forensic pathologist; two broken men who meet in the worst of circumstances and form a unique, unlikely bond.
3. A bit of holiday cheer (really) because light shines in the darkness.
4. Heart-stopping, unsettling ending; not a HEA but something small and hopeful.
The tundra refused to freeze my heart. It burned and ached and cried for all I'd had and all I'd lost.
December 27, 2025
I hated this book. I love this author, and she weaves a great story, so it wasn't like I suffered through terrible writing (I would've DNF'd).
And it wasn't the vigilante angle. I'm fine with that too.
One of the main themes of this book is that accusations should count for everything regardless of evidence. (And I'm not just talking about the main case here, where they were clearly guilty). This went beyond the main case, strongly saying that due process shouldn't matter.
So this is what infuriated me throughout the second half of the story - has this author never heard of the Salem Witch trials? Has she never heard of Project Innocence, where accusations are recanted all the time? Due process is a cornerstone of a strong judicial system. So to have an MC who's a POLICE OFFICER not give a shit about it - not for me. I wanted to throw my Kindle across a room so many times.
But James writes a good story that pulls you in. I wanted to see it through to the end. I didn't actually expect the twist at all, so I was entertained. But then the ending? It was so abrupt and unsatisfying. That was my romance?
So I'm actually giving this book 1 star. I rarely do that, but I hate everything about it that much.
And it wasn't the vigilante angle. I'm fine with that too.
One of the main themes of this book is that accusations should count for everything regardless of evidence. (And I'm not just talking about the main case here, where they were clearly guilty). This went beyond the main case, strongly saying that due process shouldn't matter.
So this is what infuriated me throughout the second half of the story - has this author never heard of the Salem Witch trials? Has she never heard of Project Innocence, where accusations are recanted all the time? Due process is a cornerstone of a strong judicial system. So to have an MC who's a POLICE OFFICER not give a shit about it - not for me. I wanted to throw my Kindle across a room so many times.
But James writes a good story that pulls you in. I wanted to see it through to the end. I didn't actually expect the twist at all, so I was entertained. But then the ending? It was so abrupt and unsatisfying. That was my romance?
So I'm actually giving this book 1 star. I rarely do that, but I hate everything about it that much.
December 27, 2025
my main issues with mysteries in a book is that i get completely sucked in by them and i can’t think about anything else.
like, the two mcs were trying to build a relationship and i was screaming at them that they could fuck later because we had a killer to catch.
i didn’t like the relationship, because i wasn’t invested in it. it completely faded in the background compared to the murders. they were way more interesting than the relationship.
my other issue is that i read about too many morally gray characters, so i was fully sympathizing with the killer. like, i was genuinely baffled that the rest of the characters didn’t appreciate the killer’s work. i, for one, was a big fan.
i can’t comment on anything else without spoilers, but i want to leave this spoiler free, so i’ll just say that i have conflicting feelings about some choices that the author made.
the plot twist is good, because it’s actually two in one. a plot twist in the plot twist. i enjoyed that a lot.
also, can i say that i knew who the killer was, if my suspects were literally every single character we talked to? like, i was suspicious of everyone.
all in all, i had fun, however if you don’t want me to root for the killer, you can’t make them the coolest character in the entire book.
like, the two mcs were trying to build a relationship and i was screaming at them that they could fuck later because we had a killer to catch.
i didn’t like the relationship, because i wasn’t invested in it. it completely faded in the background compared to the murders. they were way more interesting than the relationship.
my other issue is that i read about too many morally gray characters, so i was fully sympathizing with the killer. like, i was genuinely baffled that the rest of the characters didn’t appreciate the killer’s work. i, for one, was a big fan.
i can’t comment on anything else without spoilers, but i want to leave this spoiler free, so i’ll just say that i have conflicting feelings about some choices that the author made.
the plot twist is good, because it’s actually two in one. a plot twist in the plot twist. i enjoyed that a lot.
also, can i say that i knew who the killer was, if my suspects were literally every single character we talked to? like, i was suspicious of everyone.
all in all, i had fun, however if you don’t want me to root for the killer, you can’t make them the coolest character in the entire book.
January 3, 2026
I've gone in the middle for this one because some of it was a 1* read for me and other parts were a 5* effort.
I'm going to rant so don't read the spoiler if you want your experience of this book ruined because it's best if you go in blind.
Right, as I said, don't read the above if you don't want the narrative spoiled. I will say, even with my rant, that this is a superbly written and crafted book with a very clever plot arc that takes the reader through all kinds of emotions.
For me, I just wish there'd been as much time and space given to building up the romance alongside the suspense element because that aspect of it just didn't connect with me unfortunately.
But, I give Nicky James all the flowers for having the confidence in her writing skills to come up with this book. It's definitely worth the read and the intense reaction it will likely bring to each reader!
I'm going to rant so don't read the spoiler if you want your experience of this book ruined because it's best if you go in blind.
Right, as I said, don't read the above if you don't want the narrative spoiled. I will say, even with my rant, that this is a superbly written and crafted book with a very clever plot arc that takes the reader through all kinds of emotions.
For me, I just wish there'd been as much time and space given to building up the romance alongside the suspense element because that aspect of it just didn't connect with me unfortunately.
But, I give Nicky James all the flowers for having the confidence in her writing skills to come up with this book. It's definitely worth the read and the intense reaction it will likely bring to each reader!
Read
December 27, 2025DNF 28%
I know I won't finish a book when I start getting distracted by other synopses.😖
The mystery is quite engaging, but I am a romance reader through and through, and in that aspect, it is not working for me.
The dialogue between the MCs is flat, and I am bored; there is no tension, and I can't feel their chemistry. So, I'm tapping out here.
I know I won't finish a book when I start getting distracted by other synopses.😖
The mystery is quite engaging, but I am a romance reader through and through, and in that aspect, it is not working for me.
The dialogue between the MCs is flat, and I am bored; there is no tension, and I can't feel their chemistry. So, I'm tapping out here.
January 11, 2026
Nicky James, Afterword:
“My goal when writing mystery and suspense is to activate your brain and suspense and hopefully leave your jaw on the floor at the end. I want you to step back and say, “Whoa! I didn’t see that coming.”
Well, I certainly didn’t (even if some little details jarred that should have made me alert). And my jaw was on the floor. And I still haven’t got over it.
The twist at about 91% is one of the biggest I’ve read. (totally comparable to the ‘big one’ in Tal Bauer’s ‘Enemies of the State’).
And it’s virtually impossible to write a review without mentioning it in some way, so I decided to say very little and be 100% vague. Sorry.
First, the author took a huge chance with writing a story like this. Kudos to courage and doing something different. Tbh, to really appreciate this book and see how clever the author has been, you’d probably need to reread it as a whole.
Second, be aware that there is no black and white here, only various shades of grey, some damn near black. For example, I found Kobe’s reluctance to ‘stick to the rules’ and ‘due process’ unsettling, if not irritating.
Third, the romance exists, but that’s all I can say about it. It happens all very fast and is usually sidelined by the mystery plot. I have no idea how Dom and Kobe end up at ILYs so soon. One reviewer mentioned that Nicky James said she wants to dive more into mystery than romance, and it seems she has started that process.
Fourth, I found the ending rather … unsatisfactory? Weird? Hollow? Wrong? I bet there is a good word out there I can’t think about just now, but it certainly didn’t sit easy with me.
But I guess I’m not supposed to feel ‘easy’, ‘happy’ and ‘gratified’.
Bottom line: Did I enjoy it?
Mystery: 5*
Twist: 5*
Relationship: 4*
Romance: 2,5*
Heat: 3* (yes, THAT scene was a bit strange, although I get in hindsight why it happened)
Feel good factor: 2*
Which gives this an average of about 3,5.
Upgraded to 4 stars because the mystery did it for me.
“My goal when writing mystery and suspense is to activate your brain and suspense and hopefully leave your jaw on the floor at the end. I want you to step back and say, “Whoa! I didn’t see that coming.”
Well, I certainly didn’t (even if some little details jarred that should have made me alert). And my jaw was on the floor. And I still haven’t got over it.
The twist at about 91% is one of the biggest I’ve read. (totally comparable to the ‘big one’ in Tal Bauer’s ‘Enemies of the State’).
And it’s virtually impossible to write a review without mentioning it in some way, so I decided to say very little and be 100% vague. Sorry.
First, the author took a huge chance with writing a story like this. Kudos to courage and doing something different. Tbh, to really appreciate this book and see how clever the author has been, you’d probably need to reread it as a whole.
Second, be aware that there is no black and white here, only various shades of grey, some damn near black. For example, I found Kobe’s reluctance to ‘stick to the rules’ and ‘due process’ unsettling, if not irritating.
Third, the romance exists, but that’s all I can say about it. It happens all very fast and is usually sidelined by the mystery plot. I have no idea how Dom and Kobe end up at ILYs so soon. One reviewer mentioned that Nicky James said she wants to dive more into mystery than romance, and it seems she has started that process.
Fourth, I found the ending rather … unsatisfactory? Weird? Hollow? Wrong? I bet there is a good word out there I can’t think about just now, but it certainly didn’t sit easy with me.
But I guess I’m not supposed to feel ‘easy’, ‘happy’ and ‘gratified’.
Bottom line: Did I enjoy it?
Mystery: 5*
Twist: 5*
Relationship: 4*
Romance: 2,5*
Heat: 3* (yes, THAT scene was a bit strange, although I get in hindsight why it happened)
Feel good factor: 2*
Which gives this an average of about 3,5.
Upgraded to 4 stars because the mystery did it for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A/ 5 stars
While it’s set around the Christmas period, Nicky James’ latest standalone romantic suspense novel is most certainly not a fluffy-bunny holiday story. And then some. Kismet is a superbly plotted emotional rollercoaster of a read that goes to some dark places – please read the author’s warnings on her website - because the mystery is centred around sexual assault (none of it takes place on the page though) and there is a lot of discussion around the subject and some opinions expressed that I’m going to call ‘morally grey’.
It’s actually a difficult book to review, because saying too much about Kismet’s structure and narrative devices would give away big spoilers; I’ll talk a bit about the basic premise and characters, but this is a story you need to experience without knowing too much about it beforehand.
Detective Kobe Haven of the Ottawa PD knows he’s not particularly well thought-of by his superior officers and was only promoted from patrol because of a dearth of other candidates. He’s good at his job – he’s intelligent, observant and perceptive – but he can be impulsive and isn’t always good at toe-ing the official line, so is almost always looking over his shoulder waiting for the reprimand that will get him sent back into uniform. He’s got a rather ill-concealed crush on the city’s new chief pathologist, Dominque Chevalier; their interactions have been minimal but Kobe is well and truly smitten, drawn to the other man’s good looks and aura of quiet introspection.
When Kobe and his partner, Rue, pick up a new murder investigation a few weeks before Christmas, he can’t help the little jolt of anticipation that runs through him when he learns that Dr. Chevalier is the on-duty pathologist and is already assessing the scene. The victim is a man in his fifties whose body appears to have been posed on a wooden bench along a riverside trail; the bruising around the neck indicates strangulaion, but the most striking thing is the plastic spike protruding from his chest, which Kobe guesses has impaled the heart. Attached to the spike is a single white rose, and dangling from the stem is a piece of card with something written on it in black ink. “A heartless bastard.”
You can read the rest of this review at All About Romance .
While it’s set around the Christmas period, Nicky James’ latest standalone romantic suspense novel is most certainly not a fluffy-bunny holiday story. And then some. Kismet is a superbly plotted emotional rollercoaster of a read that goes to some dark places – please read the author’s warnings on her website - because the mystery is centred around sexual assault (none of it takes place on the page though) and there is a lot of discussion around the subject and some opinions expressed that I’m going to call ‘morally grey’.
It’s actually a difficult book to review, because saying too much about Kismet’s structure and narrative devices would give away big spoilers; I’ll talk a bit about the basic premise and characters, but this is a story you need to experience without knowing too much about it beforehand.
Detective Kobe Haven of the Ottawa PD knows he’s not particularly well thought-of by his superior officers and was only promoted from patrol because of a dearth of other candidates. He’s good at his job – he’s intelligent, observant and perceptive – but he can be impulsive and isn’t always good at toe-ing the official line, so is almost always looking over his shoulder waiting for the reprimand that will get him sent back into uniform. He’s got a rather ill-concealed crush on the city’s new chief pathologist, Dominque Chevalier; their interactions have been minimal but Kobe is well and truly smitten, drawn to the other man’s good looks and aura of quiet introspection.
When Kobe and his partner, Rue, pick up a new murder investigation a few weeks before Christmas, he can’t help the little jolt of anticipation that runs through him when he learns that Dr. Chevalier is the on-duty pathologist and is already assessing the scene. The victim is a man in his fifties whose body appears to have been posed on a wooden bench along a riverside trail; the bruising around the neck indicates strangulaion, but the most striking thing is the plastic spike protruding from his chest, which Kobe guesses has impaled the heart. Attached to the spike is a single white rose, and dangling from the stem is a piece of card with something written on it in black ink. “A heartless bastard.”
You can read the rest of this review at All About Romance .
January 2, 2026
***4.5 Stars***
This was incredibly well written. Yet, I had a hunch and... Goddammit, sometimes I really hate when I'm right...
This was incredibly well written. Yet, I had a hunch and... Goddammit, sometimes I really hate when I'm right...
December 22, 2025
another twisted mystery.
great standalone from NJ that tugged at my heartstrings.
I did not cry (I whispered to myself as I wiped a tear from my cheek).
great standalone from NJ that tugged at my heartstrings.
I did not cry (I whispered to myself as I wiped a tear from my cheek).
December 22, 2025
Kismet Absolutely Brilliant
OH....... WOW........ Simply & utterly blown away Nicky James as done it again Kismet is Absolutely Brilliant was hooked from the start could not put it down a riveting murder, mystery story full of twists and turns and a big reveal that I didn't see coming and I had to go back to read again I was that blown away I loved Kobe & Dominique together both damaged souls but slowly from an undeniable bond a detective and forensic pathologist working together to catch a killer what can happen when truths are uncovered in an ending that Nicky did so Fantastic I recommend so much.
OH....... WOW........ Simply & utterly blown away Nicky James as done it again Kismet is Absolutely Brilliant was hooked from the start could not put it down a riveting murder, mystery story full of twists and turns and a big reveal that I didn't see coming and I had to go back to read again I was that blown away I loved Kobe & Dominique together both damaged souls but slowly from an undeniable bond a detective and forensic pathologist working together to catch a killer what can happen when truths are uncovered in an ending that Nicky did so Fantastic I recommend so much.
December 23, 2025
Kismet just blown my mind, this book is a mystery/suspense story. Kobe is a detective with the Ottawa Police Department, clever, smart and a good man, his past left him with insecurities and fears but he is a good guy. Dr. Dominique Chevalier knew at the forensic department, and Kobe as the biggest crush on him. Dominique is reserve and just have his daughter, Dominique is intrigued about Kobe, he can’t resist his charm personality and agreed to go out with Kobe. I like how their relationship develops as they get to know each other, they have different personalities and accept their boundaries and just like to spend time together. Kobe case was so interesting, his way of thinking was very engaging and I like how he wants to solve the case but have his doubts, Nicky was very clever in how she tells the story and how intricate the plot was that when the big reveal is made everything becomes more clear, OMG I really never saw that coming!! After everything both characters went through I was happy with their HEA, they both had a difficult choices but at the end they just love each other!
December 24, 2025
Hi,
No sense to have Dominic’s POV when you have the revelation , and I am feeling betrayed by this
The romance was a little bit boring , the first sex scene when Kobe was sleeping was disturbing , sleep is not consent.
No sense to have Dominic’s POV when you have the revelation , and I am feeling betrayed by this
The romance was a little bit boring , the first sex scene when Kobe was sleeping was disturbing , sleep is not consent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2026
Kismet was one of my most anticipated books of the holiday season and overall I would say Nicky James did not disappoint.
Despite my lukewarm feelings towards the main romance (and by lukewarm, I do mean tepid and not super invested… like ), I was absolutely locked-in on the case. The twists and turns were well done, and the big reveal made me want to go back and re-read the whole thing asap.
This one pairs excellently with the newest Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, if I do say so myself.
Despite my lukewarm feelings towards the main romance (and by lukewarm, I do mean tepid and not super invested… like ), I was absolutely locked-in on the case. The twists and turns were well done, and the big reveal made me want to go back and re-read the whole thing asap.
This one pairs excellently with the newest Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, if I do say so myself.
January 6, 2026
Just Brilliant!
Wow, just wow! This was Nicky James at her best and I 100% recommend it.
This book was so full of twists and turns and the author manipulated us readers until almost the end. I think the sign of a good book is when you keep skipping back to clarify and understand what you missed. The clues are there but they are subtle and that ending, OMG I did not see that coming and I am usually good at sussing out the murderer and what inventive murders they were, the author must of had a lot of readers wincing!
The relationship between Kobe, a detective and Dominique, a pathologist, was deep and complicated owing to their pasts and at times awkward but I felt protective of them and wanted them to work and as for little Cosette, what a sweetheart.
I have to say that I really didn’t take to Kobe’s partner Rue or his boss. What a pair of obnoxious condescending women. I felt really sorry for Kobe, every time he opened his mouth he was shot down. Whatever happened to good cop bad cop?
I will now have to read this book again it was that good.
Wow, just wow! This was Nicky James at her best and I 100% recommend it.
This book was so full of twists and turns and the author manipulated us readers until almost the end. I think the sign of a good book is when you keep skipping back to clarify and understand what you missed. The clues are there but they are subtle and that ending, OMG I did not see that coming and I am usually good at sussing out the murderer and what inventive murders they were, the author must of had a lot of readers wincing!
The relationship between Kobe, a detective and Dominique, a pathologist, was deep and complicated owing to their pasts and at times awkward but I felt protective of them and wanted them to work and as for little Cosette, what a sweetheart.
I have to say that I really didn’t take to Kobe’s partner Rue or his boss. What a pair of obnoxious condescending women. I felt really sorry for Kobe, every time he opened his mouth he was shot down. Whatever happened to good cop bad cop?
I will now have to read this book again it was that good.
December 24, 2025
Personally the twist was the only part I liked really. Both Dom and Kobe were kind of annoying in their own ways and their romance was just bland. I didn’t particularly feel like they had any real chemistry.
I think Kobe was treated pretty poorly by everyone in the story. Obviously Dominique lied to him the entire time but both his partner and boss were pretty horrible. I didn’t feel like anything he was saying or assuming about the case warranted the reactions he was getting from his partner. She was just rude and dismissive of him continuously, it wasn’t very nice to read.
It was also too long, there was a lot of repetition that was unnecessary to the story. Almost 500 pages for what was basically like 4 weeks of time. We also ended up not really knowing either MC all that well. Because Dom was hiding such a big secret he shared so little and other than a quick mention of Kobe’s past we don’t get much from him. I kept waiting for them to open up to each other about more than the case but they just didn’t.
I really wanted to give this 2 stars but I think the twist was so unexpected that it deserves 3.
I think Kobe was treated pretty poorly by everyone in the story. Obviously Dominique lied to him the entire time but both his partner and boss were pretty horrible. I didn’t feel like anything he was saying or assuming about the case warranted the reactions he was getting from his partner. She was just rude and dismissive of him continuously, it wasn’t very nice to read.
It was also too long, there was a lot of repetition that was unnecessary to the story. Almost 500 pages for what was basically like 4 weeks of time. We also ended up not really knowing either MC all that well. Because Dom was hiding such a big secret he shared so little and other than a quick mention of Kobe’s past we don’t get much from him. I kept waiting for them to open up to each other about more than the case but they just didn’t.
I really wanted to give this 2 stars but I think the twist was so unexpected that it deserves 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2025
Wow! I was not expecting this. Kobe and Dominique are powerful, strong characters who struggle with moral dilemmas through the story. Nothing is easy in this book and I loved every minute. The reveal at the end came completely out of left field for me. Perhaps other readers caught the subtle nuances, but I was totally blown away. This was my first experience of this author but I don’t think it’ll be the last.
December 27, 2025
Dom is a new pathelogist who comes to work in Ottawa. There he meets Kobe, a local police detective.
They meet over the first in a series of killings. Kobe assumes Dom is getting over the death of his wife and isnt even sure Dom is gay.
Over the next weeks, there are 3 more murders and Kobe and his partner are no further into solving it.
Kobe thinks that a previous assault might have something to do with the killings and what he finds shocks him to the core and has a big decision to make.
I have read a few books now with this twist and I am waiting for the cop to make a different decision.
They meet over the first in a series of killings. Kobe assumes Dom is getting over the death of his wife and isnt even sure Dom is gay.
Over the next weeks, there are 3 more murders and Kobe and his partner are no further into solving it.
Kobe thinks that a previous assault might have something to do with the killings and what he finds shocks him to the core and has a big decision to make.
I have read a few books now with this twist and I am waiting for the cop to make a different decision.
January 3, 2026
I almost never give one-star reviews, and I actually really like the author and have enjoyed reading many of her books. I don't want to give away any spoilers, and I have to say I didn't see the ending coming at all, which I always appreciate in mystery books. However, this book completely violated my ethical values. I don't think I'm giving too much away when I say that the detective in this story not only sympathizes with the killer, which I could understand under the circumstances, but throughout the entire book he considers whether he even wants to arrest him because he doesn't find the legal system fair. And yes, the legal system has its flaws and isn't always just, BUT for me, vigilantism is NOT a solution. NO ONE should be allowed to decide who lives and who dies, so defending murder is simply unacceptable to me, and I also think it's wrong to dismiss the legal system outright because it's still fairer than having a single person act as judge, jury, and executioner. And I am aware that this is fiction and for entertainment purposes, but it simply made me deeply angry, and after reading the ending, I truly wished I had never read the book.
Furthermore, I am a romance reader and I love romantic suspense, but the romance part is always very important to me, and I found it very flat here, and I didn't feel any chemistry between the MCs at all.
Furthermore, I am a romance reader and I love romantic suspense, but the romance part is always very important to me, and I found it very flat here, and I didn't feel any chemistry between the MCs at all.
December 26, 2025
This is one of those books where you just sit there in the aftermath and wonder "what just happened?" Nicky is an absolute genius when it comes to twisted, crazy, mysteries and Kismet is no exception. Looking back I can see all the little clues sprinkled throughout the book. It moved a little fast for my liking but I was hooked. I'm really glad it ended with a HEA because it had the potential to end badly. I shouldn't have worried though because Nicky always delivers excellent things. If you want something a little bizarre and a little sweet this is the book for you.
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December 23, 2025
Damn. That was so good. Full RTC
December 23, 2025
Woahhh okay Nicky James I see you. This is the first book of hers that I HAVEN’T guessed the ending for and I am here for it. I loved it. Probably one of the best books she’s written!
December 30, 2025
Wow!! Just wow! If you want to read it, go in blind.
December 22, 2025
wow what a fantastic story to follow my emotions were all over the place with kismet
the story was incredible wonderful heartbreaking at times but what a amazing ride
the story was incredible wonderful heartbreaking at times but what a amazing ride
December 25, 2025
Another great book from Nicky and a totally new direction which I loved the murders and suspense this story has. I highly recommend reading this book.
December 30, 2025
WOW!!!
Once again Nicky James brings us along with Kobe and Dominque as they try to discover who is committing crimes, with increasing frequency. Will they find a killer as well as love for each other, when a shocking twist develop the thin line between right and wrong will be tested.
Once again Nicky James brings us along with Kobe and Dominque as they try to discover who is committing crimes, with increasing frequency. Will they find a killer as well as love for each other, when a shocking twist develop the thin line between right and wrong will be tested.
Read
December 24, 2025Ended up hating it, but it still counts as finished.
January 12, 2026
Giving this one 3 stars because I honestly don't know if I loved this or hated it. LOL. This is quite the read though. Loved Nicky's comment at the end.
December 23, 2025
4.5 stars
Dominique is the new forensic pathologist in town. He's also a single father to a toddler and still struggling with the grief over the loss of her mother.
Ottawa police detective Kobe and his partner land the case of the murder of a local doctor. Not long after, a few more bodies are found obviously linked to their first victim.
I love the way this author weaves a mystery right along side a growing romance that is never straight forward. Masterful writing had me on the edge of my seat as I watched Kobe and Dominique fall in love while Kobe does his best to piece together the facts of his case as he looks for a murderer.
I thought I knew towards the end but I totally did not. I definitely need a re read knowing what I now know.
Dominique is the new forensic pathologist in town. He's also a single father to a toddler and still struggling with the grief over the loss of her mother.
Ottawa police detective Kobe and his partner land the case of the murder of a local doctor. Not long after, a few more bodies are found obviously linked to their first victim.
I love the way this author weaves a mystery right along side a growing romance that is never straight forward. Masterful writing had me on the edge of my seat as I watched Kobe and Dominique fall in love while Kobe does his best to piece together the facts of his case as he looks for a murderer.
I thought I knew towards the end but I totally did not. I definitely need a re read knowing what I now know.
December 21, 2025
Well, this was quite an adventure...
To be honest, I'm not quite sure how to review this book as a whole without spoiling something or hinting too much, but here we go!
Kismet is a typical Nicky James mystery:
James has done what they do so well, by crafting characters with depth. On the surface, Dominique and Kobe seem like a grumpy/gloomy & sunshine pairing, but Kobe has some clouds looming behind all that sunshine. Along with that, Dominique is more than just a grieving single father with a tenuous interest in reconnecting with the world.
At first, the vibe between them is shaky, and even when Kobe starts to reveal more of himself, Dominique holds back. The romance between them doesn't happen all at once; it unfolds itself in little layers, and while it might not strike me as an epic love affair like James' series' pairings do, the bond between Kobe and Dominique is solid for a standalone.
Their HEA might not come in the exact way that readers will expect, but I actually liked that. Can't say more for the sake of spoilers, but rest assured, HEA lovers, they get theirs.
Now, onto the case. It was intriguing, infuriating, and full of suspects, so it did have me thinking.
A little more than halfway through, I had a very strong hunch about who the perpetrator was, but that didn't ruin anything. Instead, it made it more fun to explore James' writing to see where the crumbs were hiding, just waiting for readers to pick them up. That's about all I can say without giving too strong of a hint in any direction.
Looking at Kismet compared to James' other mysteries, it holds its own. This being a standalone didn't mean there was any skimping on the detail of the mystery or the reader's experience of trying to put those pieces together. As far as the pairing of our leading men, I do have to say it didn't quite grab me as much as Quaid & Aslan or Diem & Tallus, but, to be fair, I'm a series junkie, so when I read a standalone, I often feel like I'm wishing for just a bit more time and development with the characters.
In the grand scheme of my TO READ list, I'm not quite certain where Kismet falls on the re-read-ability scale, but for sure, it's worth checking out at least once.
To be honest, I'm not quite sure how to review this book as a whole without spoiling something or hinting too much, but here we go!
Kismet is a typical Nicky James mystery:
- A plot twist lurking in the details
- Two men who come together to solve it
- Enough scientific/police jargon to make you feel like you're inside the case but not so much that you get lost in the lingo
- A crime that makes you cringe but greedily turn the page because all readers are voyeurs at heart
James has done what they do so well, by crafting characters with depth. On the surface, Dominique and Kobe seem like a grumpy/gloomy & sunshine pairing, but Kobe has some clouds looming behind all that sunshine. Along with that, Dominique is more than just a grieving single father with a tenuous interest in reconnecting with the world.
At first, the vibe between them is shaky, and even when Kobe starts to reveal more of himself, Dominique holds back. The romance between them doesn't happen all at once; it unfolds itself in little layers, and while it might not strike me as an epic love affair like James' series' pairings do, the bond between Kobe and Dominique is solid for a standalone.
Their HEA might not come in the exact way that readers will expect, but I actually liked that. Can't say more for the sake of spoilers, but rest assured, HEA lovers, they get theirs.
Now, onto the case. It was intriguing, infuriating, and full of suspects, so it did have me thinking.
A little more than halfway through, I had a very strong hunch about who the perpetrator was, but that didn't ruin anything. Instead, it made it more fun to explore James' writing to see where the crumbs were hiding, just waiting for readers to pick them up. That's about all I can say without giving too strong of a hint in any direction.
Looking at Kismet compared to James' other mysteries, it holds its own. This being a standalone didn't mean there was any skimping on the detail of the mystery or the reader's experience of trying to put those pieces together. As far as the pairing of our leading men, I do have to say it didn't quite grab me as much as Quaid & Aslan or Diem & Tallus, but, to be fair, I'm a series junkie, so when I read a standalone, I often feel like I'm wishing for just a bit more time and development with the characters.
In the grand scheme of my TO READ list, I'm not quite certain where Kismet falls on the re-read-ability scale, but for sure, it's worth checking out at least once.
December 21, 2025
Leave it to Nicky James to write a romantic suspense with twists so shocking that I'm still processing. Kobe and Dominique's story, more than any other of hers, explored the grey space between legal and ethical justice with a gut-wrenching case set at a university that left me unsure if I was rooting for the police or the killer. As a detective and forensic pathologist respectively, both Kobe and Dominique were heavily involved in collecting evidence, investigating motives, and putting the pieces together to find who was responsible for the killings. While Dominique prioritized facts, observations, and scientific reasoning, Kobe approached things first through his lens of right and wrong, then his legal obligation. I felt conflicted as I watched Kobe wrestle with his personal feelings about the victims versus his obligation to find their killer, and the more clues that began to unravel the less certain I was about what Kobe would do when he unmasked the one responsible.
In parallel to the case, Kobe and Dominique's slowly building relationship provided a pleasant counter to the more grizzly aspects of their jobs. It was wonderful to see Dominique open up and let love in after experiencing the grief of a loved one passing, and when Kobe started to picture him and his little girl Cosette as the loving family he'd never had, I knew it was the real deal. As with all new relationships the two of them had to decide how much they were willing to let the other in, some experiences too painful or personal to disclose before they were sure it wasn't a fleeting fancy. I found it easy to get invested in both of the leads, and my excitement over their growing connection was only matched by the thrilling breakthroughs they had in the investigation. The truths that were uncovered in the final buildup were heartbreaking, unexpected, and forced me to reconsider everything I'd learned throughout the story. I am blown away by how cleverly Nicky James crafted the ending -- balancing the closure of the case and the romance between Dominique and Kobe in a way that both left me reeling and satisfied by the future they could have together. I can't wait to reread this book, knowing everything that I do now, and it's going to be fun to pick apart the subtle clues I didn't even realize were scattered throughout the pages!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
In parallel to the case, Kobe and Dominique's slowly building relationship provided a pleasant counter to the more grizzly aspects of their jobs. It was wonderful to see Dominique open up and let love in after experiencing the grief of a loved one passing, and when Kobe started to picture him and his little girl Cosette as the loving family he'd never had, I knew it was the real deal. As with all new relationships the two of them had to decide how much they were willing to let the other in, some experiences too painful or personal to disclose before they were sure it wasn't a fleeting fancy. I found it easy to get invested in both of the leads, and my excitement over their growing connection was only matched by the thrilling breakthroughs they had in the investigation. The truths that were uncovered in the final buildup were heartbreaking, unexpected, and forced me to reconsider everything I'd learned throughout the story. I am blown away by how cleverly Nicky James crafted the ending -- balancing the closure of the case and the romance between Dominique and Kobe in a way that both left me reeling and satisfied by the future they could have together. I can't wait to reread this book, knowing everything that I do now, and it's going to be fun to pick apart the subtle clues I didn't even realize were scattered throughout the pages!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
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