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Motion to Quash
If Findley Cross didn’t have bad luck, he wouldn’t have any luck at all. You see, Fin had a thing for older guys. And it was an older guy who talked him into dropping out of Georgetown. It was that same guy who had talked Fin into moving in with him. It was also that same guy who disappeared six months ago, leaving Fin with more debt than he could ever repay and no place to live.
As if being homeless and trying to survive on the streets of DC wasn’t enough, Fin found himself caught up in a murder. He had seen things that he should have never seen. There were people who wanted him dead.
With nowhere else to turn, he found himself asking a friend for help. Fin’s friend called a lawyer. When Jack Sterling showed up, Fin was skeptical. He was too good-looking, he was too kind and patient, and he was definitely not to be trusted. Jack Sterling was rich and powerful. People like him didn’t help people like Findley Cross.
If Fin had any choice other than to accept Jack’s help, he would run as far away as possible from the man. Afterall, his taste in men had been notoriously lousy. But it didn’t take Fin long to realize that the man who was supposed to be protecting his life was the same man who might shatter his heart.
Motion to Quash is a full length (nearly 50,000 words) stand-alone novel. It’s about 30% legal thriller and 70% trashy gay romance. Themes include, hurt comfort, age gap, dude in distress, and opposites attract. Guarantees include no cliffhanger and a ‘happily ever after’ ending. Happy reading!
As if being homeless and trying to survive on the streets of DC wasn’t enough, Fin found himself caught up in a murder. He had seen things that he should have never seen. There were people who wanted him dead.
With nowhere else to turn, he found himself asking a friend for help. Fin’s friend called a lawyer. When Jack Sterling showed up, Fin was skeptical. He was too good-looking, he was too kind and patient, and he was definitely not to be trusted. Jack Sterling was rich and powerful. People like him didn’t help people like Findley Cross.
If Fin had any choice other than to accept Jack’s help, he would run as far away as possible from the man. Afterall, his taste in men had been notoriously lousy. But it didn’t take Fin long to realize that the man who was supposed to be protecting his life was the same man who might shatter his heart.
Motion to Quash is a full length (nearly 50,000 words) stand-alone novel. It’s about 30% legal thriller and 70% trashy gay romance. Themes include, hurt comfort, age gap, dude in distress, and opposites attract. Guarantees include no cliffhanger and a ‘happily ever after’ ending. Happy reading!
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
M.E. Parker
9 books205 followers Librarian Note: Also writes under the pen name Mary Esther Parker
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 17, 2025
MOTION TO QUASH is a standalone story full of the warm fuzzies and just what I needed after reading a dark romance.
Okay, so maybe it doesn't start too well, what with a possible attempted r@pe (nothing happens), followed by a m*rder. But it does get better for Fin, I promise. He goes to his friend Kayse, who calls his friend Spencer, who calls his friend Jack. Jack says he'll help and immediately falls head over heels, determined to do everything to keep his Fin safe.
This is one of those books that gives you a break from reality, even with a contemporary setting. The thought of someone with money to burn, who wants nothing more than a relationship with you that fits perfectly, and sorts out all of your problems too, is just amazing! Saying that, I did so love Fin's moments when he commented on money, or the amount of things needed, or when he put Jack in his place.
This was a smoothly written, medium-paced story, with plenty of action, but it doesn't go too deep. Jack has a caretaking kink, so prepare yourself for someone who wants to help. I would say the main themes are hopeful and lighthearted, with Marcus providing the light entertainment.
I would love to see more from these characters, especially Kayse and Spencer, and Marcus. If you're looking for the warm fuzzies, then I can definitely recommend this one.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 17, 2025
Okay, so maybe it doesn't start too well, what with a possible attempted r@pe (nothing happens), followed by a m*rder. But it does get better for Fin, I promise. He goes to his friend Kayse, who calls his friend Spencer, who calls his friend Jack. Jack says he'll help and immediately falls head over heels, determined to do everything to keep his Fin safe.
This is one of those books that gives you a break from reality, even with a contemporary setting. The thought of someone with money to burn, who wants nothing more than a relationship with you that fits perfectly, and sorts out all of your problems too, is just amazing! Saying that, I did so love Fin's moments when he commented on money, or the amount of things needed, or when he put Jack in his place.
This was a smoothly written, medium-paced story, with plenty of action, but it doesn't go too deep. Jack has a caretaking kink, so prepare yourself for someone who wants to help. I would say the main themes are hopeful and lighthearted, with Marcus providing the light entertainment.
I would love to see more from these characters, especially Kayse and Spencer, and Marcus. If you're looking for the warm fuzzies, then I can definitely recommend this one.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 17, 2025
September 24, 2025
Review:
I am not a thriller person, but i thought: 'just give it a shot'. And it really paid off. Motion to Quash is fast paced with a little bit of insta lust/love. Fin lands himself in a bit of trouble and that's how he meets Jack. Jack is a lawyer and he is a really good lawyer (like the kind of good that scares people in high places). Like I said, this book is fast paced so Fin and Jack's relationship develops fast, the same goes for the plot. I liked the relationship of Fin and Jack, they were really cute togheter. The plot was okay. I would have enjoyed a little more depth in the plot, but fast pace and he story with depth is not going hand in hand. So this was fine. It wouldn't have been a problem if the story had like 100 pages extra. The writing style of the author is very nice to read, so I actually would have liked more pages of Jack and Fin's story.
Marcus provided a funny element to the story and the book contains a legal drama and I totally loved it!
Tropes:
🧑⚖️Age gap
💵Lawyer x client
🧑⚖️Rich x poor
💵Caretaking kink
🧑⚖️Legal drama
Favorite quotes:
💕And also. because I have an obsessive need to take care of you and protect you form everything ugly in this world, even though I just met you three hours ago.
🎁I knew it would be hard for him to accept gifts form me. But the sooner that he learned that my new mission in life was to take care of him, the better.
I recieved an ARC for this book, but this is my honest opinion. Thank you to GRR and M.E. Parker for the ARC.
I am not a thriller person, but i thought: 'just give it a shot'. And it really paid off. Motion to Quash is fast paced with a little bit of insta lust/love. Fin lands himself in a bit of trouble and that's how he meets Jack. Jack is a lawyer and he is a really good lawyer (like the kind of good that scares people in high places). Like I said, this book is fast paced so Fin and Jack's relationship develops fast, the same goes for the plot. I liked the relationship of Fin and Jack, they were really cute togheter. The plot was okay. I would have enjoyed a little more depth in the plot, but fast pace and he story with depth is not going hand in hand. So this was fine. It wouldn't have been a problem if the story had like 100 pages extra. The writing style of the author is very nice to read, so I actually would have liked more pages of Jack and Fin's story.
Marcus provided a funny element to the story and the book contains a legal drama and I totally loved it!
Tropes:
🧑⚖️Age gap
💵Lawyer x client
🧑⚖️Rich x poor
💵Caretaking kink
🧑⚖️Legal drama
Favorite quotes:
💕And also. because I have an obsessive need to take care of you and protect you form everything ugly in this world, even though I just met you three hours ago.
🎁I knew it would be hard for him to accept gifts form me. But the sooner that he learned that my new mission in life was to take care of him, the better.
I recieved an ARC for this book, but this is my honest opinion. Thank you to GRR and M.E. Parker for the ARC.
September 26, 2025
3.5 stars
Do you enjoy insta-lust/insta-love stories, don't mind light kink with an older partner caring for a younger one, and like a bit of suspense with your sexy times? Then you'll love this romance between Jack Sterling, hotshot DC lawyer, and Findley Cross, homeless coffee-shop worker with terrible luck with men. It's that bad luck that lands him in the kind of pickle that only Jack can extricate him from. Jack is a sweetheart in private, but a shark in the courtroom and behind the scenes, and by comparison, Fin is just tame and uninspiring.
I love a good romantic suspense, and this was a romance with suspense elements that had really good bones. However, because most of the suspenseful action--except for the very beginning--happened off the page, the satisfaction I enjoy when the bad guy gets his comeuppance was sadly missing. This is one of the reasons I couldn't round this up to 4 stars. Another is the almost fairytale-like relationship between Jack, who is the epitome of Fin's fairy godfather, and Fin, who would be his Cinderfella. While I suppose love at first sight is possible, it was difficult to suspend disbelief regarding how easily Fin ended up in Jack's secluded mansion, accepting almost everything Jack offered with only what looked like token resistance. And the timeline to trust and love was super fast.
Do you enjoy insta-lust/insta-love stories, don't mind light kink with an older partner caring for a younger one, and like a bit of suspense with your sexy times? Then you'll love this romance between Jack Sterling, hotshot DC lawyer, and Findley Cross, homeless coffee-shop worker with terrible luck with men. It's that bad luck that lands him in the kind of pickle that only Jack can extricate him from. Jack is a sweetheart in private, but a shark in the courtroom and behind the scenes, and by comparison, Fin is just tame and uninspiring.
I love a good romantic suspense, and this was a romance with suspense elements that had really good bones. However, because most of the suspenseful action--except for the very beginning--happened off the page, the satisfaction I enjoy when the bad guy gets his comeuppance was sadly missing. This is one of the reasons I couldn't round this up to 4 stars. Another is the almost fairytale-like relationship between Jack, who is the epitome of Fin's fairy godfather, and Fin, who would be his Cinderfella. While I suppose love at first sight is possible, it was difficult to suspend disbelief regarding how easily Fin ended up in Jack's secluded mansion, accepting almost everything Jack offered with only what looked like token resistance. And the timeline to trust and love was super fast.
October 1, 2025
Findley Cross is not having the best of luck. His boyfriend left him after stealing thousands of dollars and running up debts in his name. He thinks his ability to select men is broken. That is reenforced when he finds the perfect man for him. He likes them older. He goes home with him. Only to wind up caught up in a murder. Now they are after him. His friend calls in a favor and Jack Sterling shows arrives. Little does Fin know but Jack is a powerful, extremely competent lawyer. Fin is not sure why he would want to help him, but soon the two are in hiding as they figure out what is going on. Alone together and something is brewing.
Wow, this one will capture you on page one and keep you reading until the very end. It is very exciting and you can feel all the emotions Fin is experiencing. He does not know who to trust or who to turn to but his friend knew. Jack was perfect for him in every way. With instant love blossoming, these two are perfect for each other. The plot was incredible and actually scary In some ways. I enjoyed the ending for both Fin and Jack as well as the legal aspects. It is great for those of who enjoy MM stories with some extra zings.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Wow, this one will capture you on page one and keep you reading until the very end. It is very exciting and you can feel all the emotions Fin is experiencing. He does not know who to trust or who to turn to but his friend knew. Jack was perfect for him in every way. With instant love blossoming, these two are perfect for each other. The plot was incredible and actually scary In some ways. I enjoyed the ending for both Fin and Jack as well as the legal aspects. It is great for those of who enjoy MM stories with some extra zings.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 4, 2025
tomato colored, cuddle slut, Swiftie, Finny-winny, Plan B, champagne & dozens of candles, $77k, L as in Lexus
This legal drama story gets exciting. It's also enthralling and heartwarming.
I couldn't help but feel bad for Fin. He owes thousands of dollars, lives out of his car, and has a job that barely covers his bills. He's also on the run from the men he witnessed killing his hookup.
Luckily, he has Jack. Jack is a high-power attorney for a large and successful DC law firm. He's a partner and is worth every hundred thousands of dollars he earns. He is called by his colleague partner/best friend to help a friend of a trusted friend. For some reason he can't fathom, he feels protective of Fin.
I really enjoyed reading this book for the lovable MCs. I recommend it.
This legal drama story gets exciting. It's also enthralling and heartwarming.
I couldn't help but feel bad for Fin. He owes thousands of dollars, lives out of his car, and has a job that barely covers his bills. He's also on the run from the men he witnessed killing his hookup.
Luckily, he has Jack. Jack is a high-power attorney for a large and successful DC law firm. He's a partner and is worth every hundred thousands of dollars he earns. He is called by his colleague partner/best friend to help a friend of a trusted friend. For some reason he can't fathom, he feels protective of Fin.
I really enjoyed reading this book for the lovable MCs. I recommend it.
September 22, 2025
This was a relatively short book - quick and easy to read. I enjoyed both the romance and the suspense of this book. I thought the plot was good and it has the bones to be a great legal drama. We didn’t fully see the legal aspect but if this was fleshed out and we also had a POV from the PI assisting then I think it could have been quite a suspenseful legal drama.
Anyway this was based more on the romance but this also could have been fleshed out. It was love at first sight and happened very fast. I got an idea of the characters though and liked what I read.
Essentially a good quick read but with double the word count could have been great.
Anyway this was based more on the romance but this also could have been fleshed out. It was love at first sight and happened very fast. I got an idea of the characters though and liked what I read.
Essentially a good quick read but with double the word count could have been great.
September 29, 2025
Fin witnessed a murder. Broke, scared, living in his car, he ran to a friend who helped him get a lawyer, Jack. Jack who was a fixer for Washington DC's powerful. I loved the moment Jack saw Fin he wanted and needed to help him. It's a fantastic conspiracy, a dramatic story with lots of intrigue and government lawyering stuff but captivating and entertaining, intricate but not unbelievable. It's also very romantic, tender and filled with caretaking and spice with the age gap and a lovely little kink. It's my first book by this author but I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more. I received a copy of this through GRR and this is my voluntary opinion.
September 30, 2025
A pretty fast paced story from the very beginning. Not only are the two m/c’s immediately off and running with the legal case but their personal relationship heats up rather quickly, as well. In a perfect world this story would be an excellent pattern for how justice works. I guess that’s why romance/murder stories and their happy endings make us all so happy. This story has a sweetness about it that’s between our heroes and also serves up some delicious justice for the evil and despicable low life’s of the story. Easy to read, has its drama but it’s light hearted and doesn’t really take it too seriously in the very best of ways. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
October 1, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
I have read other books from M.E Parker that I have liked and I was intrigued to pick this one up as well. Motion to Quash offers many things, but everything felt bland and the characters lacked chemistry for me.
I needed a little more in many aspects of this book to make it work for me; as it stands now, it will be mostly forgettable. If you like the wealthy character trope with the finish clear from the start, you may like this one.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3 stars
I have read other books from M.E Parker that I have liked and I was intrigued to pick this one up as well. Motion to Quash offers many things, but everything felt bland and the characters lacked chemistry for me.
I needed a little more in many aspects of this book to make it work for me; as it stands now, it will be mostly forgettable. If you like the wealthy character trope with the finish clear from the start, you may like this one.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
October 8, 2025
Years ago I stumbled on a book called Just Be You by ME Parker and loved it. So when I saw the book Motion to Quash by the same author I decided I absolutely wanted to give it a whirl. Fin is a bit of a down on his luck young man who finds himself in a very sticky situation … one might even say a deadly one. Jack is a very high powered, named-partner attorney with an endless supply of cash (yeah, I’m jealous) who swoops in and “saves” Fin. There’s a dash of daddy vibes here but it’s not what I would call “heavy”. I’m not sure I fully understood how Jack solved the problem but it was a fun, easy read nonetheless.
September 27, 2025
It is a good book. Fin and Jack were a good couple. I know this was a short book, but the story and the relationship progressed quickly. This could have easily been a fated mate book with shifters. It really was insta-lust/insta-love in less than a day.
You need to suspend reality in the context of the legal case. But this was a fast easy read with little angst (after 15%).
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
angst 2/5
heat 3/5
story 3.5
POV dual
break up
You need to suspend reality in the context of the legal case. But this was a fast easy read with little angst (after 15%).
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
angst 2/5
heat 3/5
story 3.5
POV dual
break up
September 30, 2025
A nice blend of intrigue, suspense and romance. My heart hurt for poor Findley, who had it all, then threw it away for a man that suddenly left him homeless and inept. Struggling already he witnessed a murder and thus has more trouble than ever before. With no where to hid he has to accept the help of Jack, a fixer lawyer, who seems too good to be true. I love age gap, the economic gay, and culture gap between these two as they are opposites but perfect for one another. A great read. I did receive an. ARC and leave this honest review.
October 2, 2025
There's a lot to this story. Many moving parts. Fin just keeps getting knocked down, The blurb starts with, if Fin didn't have bad luck he would have no luck and it seems to be true. Jack is drawn to fin from the start, and the rest as they say is history. Along the way there are plenty of twists and turns and page turning good reading to be had. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 30, 2025
The writing was good, as were the ideas. Admittedly, the scenario was a little far-fetched, but it is fiction after all (and seeing the state of the world having someone achieve such an end result with politicians would be wonderful). I would have preferred a bit more depth, though, as the insta-love didn't feel right to me in combination with the traumatic timeline. Jack was really caring.
October 7, 2025
I love suspense mixed with my romance and when you add in an age gap and a hot shot lawyer with killer skills, I'm totally there. Fin gets himself mixed up with the wrong man and then a murder and it's up to lawyer Jack Sterling to keep them both alive and up to both of them to develop their relationship which was nicely spicy. I thoroughly enjoyable read.
October 1, 2025
All his luck seems to be bad but at least it was luck and he is about to see a murder. In step his friend who gets him a lawyer and things are beginning to look up. Is it too good to be true. See if he can survive the threats to his life
October 10, 2025
Motion to Quash was a wonderful standalone read with some suspense and lots of steam. This is a lawyer/client, age gap, opposites attract read about Jack and Findley. I really enjoyed this book, just the right combination of stuff to keep my attention from start to finish.
October 14, 2025
This is a book that is most enjoyable if you suspend reality and enjoy it for what it is: a (mostly) sweet instalove story. There is a decent (though not extensive) plot and great characters. Overall very enjoyable.
Read
September 22, 2025DNF at 43% (p85)
September 24, 2025
I was pleased to read a new book from this author and really enjoyed Jack and Fin's story.
September 30, 2025
I loved this book, It was a really good read!!!
October 2, 2025
This one was interesting. Fin finds himself in trouble. Jack is there to help him. Their relationship grows as the problems get resolved. It was a pretty enjoyable read.
October 4, 2025
Super insta love book but good plot and kept me turning the pages.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews