Take the Fall: A Slow-Burn M/M Cop Romance

by Remy Grayson

Ryan Carlson kissed Detective Luke Hawley and ran. Now he's suspended, drinking, and trying not to think about the only man who's ever wanted to stay.

Luke isn't running. Luke is working, quietly, off the books, because the people who burned Ryan once aren't finished.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2026

About the author

Remy Grayson writes the kind of slow-burn M/M romance where the longing does most of the talking: quiet men, careful hands, and the moment everything finally tips. Writing from a sunlit corner of Montreal (and yes, the snow counts as scenery half the year), Remy is here for the soft landings and the love that stays.

Reviews

[Jine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one a little more than book 1 we get more into their relationship
So book two starts off where one ended we get Ryan who’s drowning his sorrows in a bar after running from Luke
Poor Reid comes to pick him up from the bar and lets him stay with him for the night and Ryan makes it back to the apartment and him and Luke have a talk the feelings are there but they agree to wait
Luke talks to Murphy who has been silently working the case on his own to find out who’s trying to bury Ryan and he lets Luke in on the condition he doesn’t tell Ryan anything which he agrees to so she silently works the case
Ryan’s family is nothing but shit like his dad is controlling AF and wants him to be with his family who’s uber rich and sends his uncle to try and convince him to come back even faking an illness that he’s dying
They keep their relationship on a back burner like they agreed but what settles it for Ryan is when Reid finally said he liked him and it all clicked in his head about Luke
What I loved the most was the love confessions when Luke is beat up by 3 men he’s still trying to keep everything under wraps about his feelings and Ryan won’t let him he literally yells that he loves him and all of Luke’s resolve is gone! It was SO worth the wait for the spicy scene!l
Luke still hasn’t told Ryan about what the case is about which is his father is behind it all so when Luke goes to the station Ryan follows and they let him in on everything how his dad is behind it all
Ryan runs but for a good reason 6 days he left Luke and he had the best plans
When he cut his father off for good it was SO delicious! He went to a lawyer and he denounced all his fortune and his name but what was the best part was he played his dad so good! he got him to confess even to beating up some cop who was getting to close not knowing that was his love!
They talked everything out they confessed their love and Ryan was back at work everyone was happy but Murphy needed to talk to them but they both decided no matter what they would be together
Walking into that office and setting up the next book was so good LOL I literally said of course because standing there is none other than Luke’s former love the one who threw him to the wolves Adam! I can’t wait for book 3 I neeeeeed it now!

[antonia🫧 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author via booksprout & this review only contains MY honest thoughts and feelings about this book.💐

I can't get enough of Ryan & Luke, I love them!! And what an ending too...🥲

I really don't like how Ryan's whole family is trying to manipulate him. His mother and uncle disguise it as love and it's anything but that. They're still doing his father's bidding. I hate that.

I love that in that moment Luke gave him a choice though. 'Do you want me with you or do you need space', it was clearly his choice and that felt so good. I don't think many people in his life have given him that choice. Luke only knows him a couple of months? Weeks? But he still shows signs that he cares for him more than his own family...

We got smut too, and it was soo good and so sweet!

It felt so good that Ryan stood up to his father and defended murphy!!

I still need Luke's story and I hope we'll get it in book three.🤞🏻

Can't wait for book three!🖤

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of Apartment 402. For maximum enjoyment read the books in series order.

'He asks Luke for time to to understand his own heart.
He doesn't get much. Someone powerful is taking his career, his name, and everything he has left... and they are nowhere near finished.'

'Apartment 402, Book Two. M/M slow-burn — bi awakening, forced proximity, hurt/comfort. Explicit, 18+. Sequel to Cross the Line.'

The characters continue to grow and develop and remain complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend!

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second part in this detective series, Ryan's issues are gradually clarified, including the reasons why he was transferred in disgrace. He has been backed into an almost impossible to escape corner, and Luke and their inspector are the first people to ever try to fight for him. There were some light moments between the dark, like the missing gnome. The feelings between Luke and Ryan keep growing despite their best attempts. The next book promises to explain why Luke was also put into the apartment - I'm really looking forward to that.
Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in love with Ryan and Luke. Feelings are definitely there after that kiss. And the drama that’s circling Ryan is insane. I was that that Reid finally let Luke know what was going on. Even if he had to keep it from Ryan. But omgosh, this was so intense, and sweet, holy crap moments. But this read was so good! I loved that Ryan and Luke are taking through their feelings.
I feel like this book just amped things up in this series and I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take the fall is the second book in the Apartment 402 by Remy Grayson. This is a continuation of Ryan and Luke's story. I was caught up in this book just as much as I was in the first. Love it. Can't wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kenneth Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable follow up to Cross the line. Favorite author. Very relatable story that is well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐s. I liked the story but leading up to the 50% mark I was getting so annoyed with the continuous use of "the shape of".
E.g. "He was looking out his window again, at the city, but I knew the shape of a man saying one thing and standing on another."
Thankfully after that the use of that phrasing lessened considerably. I think more editing and polishing would've been in order.