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Checkmate #3
Castling The Rook
Die a hero. Forever remain a hero.
Junior, baby-faced, rookie – Riley Cruz has heard it all.
The youngest police recruit in town, Riley is thirty-one years old, but is constantly overlooked because of his youthful features and habit to keep his mouth shut when everyone else is loud.
But not everything is as it seems. Not everyone is as innocent as they appear.
Recruited by big players in the law enforcement world and reluctantly thrust onto a team of agents that skirt the edge of what is legal, the innocent cop has to straddle a line between cops and agents, right and wrong, and might possess the darkest secrets of them all.
Riley’s had his eyes on a certain raven-haired beauty since day one, but Andi Conner is a wild horse, apt to run at any moment, and scared of anything that requires more commitment than a one-night-stand.
Riley has to juggle each portion of his life – cops, agents, Andi – and keep them all separate, but when it all blows up, he might just lose everything.
Castling The Rook is part of a duet featuring Andi Conner and Riley Cruz. This is part one. Part two is titled Playing For Keeps.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️You need Emilia Finn's books in your life. Trust me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This book was so freakin steamy hot ����, straight into absolutely hilarious (tears from laughter), on to the mind blowing suspense, & then on the last 2 pages, the emotional tears of pain & longing. & that cliffhanger!!!!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️i LOVED IT SO MUCH!! Riley is hands down my new favorite, he's hilarious, witty, sexy and bossy in bed. As much as I want him for myself, the chemistry that he and Andi have is incredible. She's the perfect amount of crazy for him and he's the perfect amount of bossy for her.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Emilia Finn has done it again. Castling the Rook gave me all the feels, ups and downs. Riley Cruz feels so deeply, he has such a tender loving heart, I love how much he loves his mom and he takes care of her. And then he’s so sneaky and filthy dirty! He and Andi have fantastic chemistry from the start. I couldn’t get enough!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️She’s done it again! Emilia Finn weaves her characters from all her other books together in such a way that blows your mind and keeps you coming back for more. I DO NOT re-read books. Never done it in my life. Except for this series.
Junior, baby-faced, rookie – Riley Cruz has heard it all.
The youngest police recruit in town, Riley is thirty-one years old, but is constantly overlooked because of his youthful features and habit to keep his mouth shut when everyone else is loud.
But not everything is as it seems. Not everyone is as innocent as they appear.
Recruited by big players in the law enforcement world and reluctantly thrust onto a team of agents that skirt the edge of what is legal, the innocent cop has to straddle a line between cops and agents, right and wrong, and might possess the darkest secrets of them all.
Riley’s had his eyes on a certain raven-haired beauty since day one, but Andi Conner is a wild horse, apt to run at any moment, and scared of anything that requires more commitment than a one-night-stand.
Riley has to juggle each portion of his life – cops, agents, Andi – and keep them all separate, but when it all blows up, he might just lose everything.
Castling The Rook is part of a duet featuring Andi Conner and Riley Cruz. This is part one. Part two is titled Playing For Keeps.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️You need Emilia Finn's books in your life. Trust me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This book was so freakin steamy hot ����, straight into absolutely hilarious (tears from laughter), on to the mind blowing suspense, & then on the last 2 pages, the emotional tears of pain & longing. & that cliffhanger!!!!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️i LOVED IT SO MUCH!! Riley is hands down my new favorite, he's hilarious, witty, sexy and bossy in bed. As much as I want him for myself, the chemistry that he and Andi have is incredible. She's the perfect amount of crazy for him and he's the perfect amount of bossy for her.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Emilia Finn has done it again. Castling the Rook gave me all the feels, ups and downs. Riley Cruz feels so deeply, he has such a tender loving heart, I love how much he loves his mom and he takes care of her. And then he’s so sneaky and filthy dirty! He and Andi have fantastic chemistry from the start. I couldn’t get enough!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️She’s done it again! Emilia Finn weaves her characters from all her other books together in such a way that blows your mind and keeps you coming back for more. I DO NOT re-read books. Never done it in my life. Except for this series.
206 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2019
1235 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
About the author
Emilia Finn
110 books1,558 followersEmilia Finn is an Amazon Top 20 bestselling, Australia-based author with more than 55 books written and published to date.
She's a mom, a coffee addict, a collector of quirky coffee mugs, and before she had kids, she was a real-life full-contact fighter.
Her experience on the fight circuits helped her pen her first ever book—Finding Home—featuring a world champion MMA fighter Bobby Kincaid, and his leading lady and equal in every way, Kit Reilly. What was only supposed to be a once off experience instead turned into a career for Emilia, a thriving empire, and a daily grind she never wants to be rescued from.
Join Emilia's mailing list for exclusive material and new release alerts.
Website➜ https://www.emiliafinn.com
She's a mom, a coffee addict, a collector of quirky coffee mugs, and before she had kids, she was a real-life full-contact fighter.
Her experience on the fight circuits helped her pen her first ever book—Finding Home—featuring a world champion MMA fighter Bobby Kincaid, and his leading lady and equal in every way, Kit Reilly. What was only supposed to be a once off experience instead turned into a career for Emilia, a thriving empire, and a daily grind she never wants to be rescued from.
Join Emilia's mailing list for exclusive material and new release alerts.
Website➜ https://www.emiliafinn.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
December 9, 2025
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
After a few very long, intense and emotional reads Castling the Rook was supposed to be a fun pallet cleanser. It is the third book of the Checkmate series and can be read without reading books 1 and 2 but is a duology with the fourth book Playing for Keeps. Unusual in a series, so I was a little unprepared and shocked with where the book ended.
Andi is a bit wild. She isn't good at emotional entanglements, but she is great at physical ones. Comfortable with one night stands and moving on, she was not ready for Riley, a Rookie cop with the baby face and a bit of a bad boy in the bedroom vibe. When she challenges him on his 'experience' at her sister's wedding reception she is more than pleasantly surprised by his ability to rise to the occasion. Andi is determined to keep things casual; she doesn't even live in the same state as Riley and should just see him when she is town. There is something about their chemistry that makes him someone who might just get in her heart if she isn't careful.
Castling the Rook is my first Emilia Finn read and her writing, at least in this book, is a bit crass and gritty. The dirty talk in this was well, dirty and Andi's very free feelings on sex made the dialogue pretty fun. There is some background cop work going on as Riley is dealing with trying to keep some undercover FBI alive and off the radar with his police brotheren. But the main focus is the relationship and romance. Can Riley play it cool enough to ensnare the woman he has been lusting after since he saw her at an engagement party? I enjoyed the romance ultimately.
Andi is so funny in all the ways she tries and kinda fails to avoid intimacy with Riley. He has her pegged 100% and is ready to play the game. She might have been hard to relate to if we didn't also get to see her with her family, taking care of her niece and nephew and at her job. Those parts make her much more likable and give some context to why she might be protecting her heart a little too fiercely. By mid book I was rooting hard for the couple.
Since I didn't realize this was a duology in the middle of a series, I was not really prepared for the ending. But I ultimately started to enjoy the writing style and romance aspects of the book and will be checking out more books in this series, starting with Playing for Keeps to make sure our couple gets there HEA.
Narration:
Performance: ★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★
Sound Effects: None
Dane Anderson and Audrey Obeyn are both new to me narrators but will be voice of the entire series. I liked Dane's timber and the strong voice he chose for Riley. He was able to capture the other characters well during his PoVs and I could tell them all apart. The heated moments between Riley and Andi were hot. Audrey Obeyn also did a good job with her narration. She doesn't have a lot of titles under her belt yet, but I think that will change. She was able to make Andi both strong and a little vulnerable all at the same time. I liked the inner dialogue and voice she gave to Andi. I listened to the audio at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
After a few very long, intense and emotional reads Castling the Rook was supposed to be a fun pallet cleanser. It is the third book of the Checkmate series and can be read without reading books 1 and 2 but is a duology with the fourth book Playing for Keeps. Unusual in a series, so I was a little unprepared and shocked with where the book ended.
Andi is a bit wild. She isn't good at emotional entanglements, but she is great at physical ones. Comfortable with one night stands and moving on, she was not ready for Riley, a Rookie cop with the baby face and a bit of a bad boy in the bedroom vibe. When she challenges him on his 'experience' at her sister's wedding reception she is more than pleasantly surprised by his ability to rise to the occasion. Andi is determined to keep things casual; she doesn't even live in the same state as Riley and should just see him when she is town. There is something about their chemistry that makes him someone who might just get in her heart if she isn't careful.
Castling the Rook is my first Emilia Finn read and her writing, at least in this book, is a bit crass and gritty. The dirty talk in this was well, dirty and Andi's very free feelings on sex made the dialogue pretty fun. There is some background cop work going on as Riley is dealing with trying to keep some undercover FBI alive and off the radar with his police brotheren. But the main focus is the relationship and romance. Can Riley play it cool enough to ensnare the woman he has been lusting after since he saw her at an engagement party? I enjoyed the romance ultimately.
Andi is so funny in all the ways she tries and kinda fails to avoid intimacy with Riley. He has her pegged 100% and is ready to play the game. She might have been hard to relate to if we didn't also get to see her with her family, taking care of her niece and nephew and at her job. Those parts make her much more likable and give some context to why she might be protecting her heart a little too fiercely. By mid book I was rooting hard for the couple.
Since I didn't realize this was a duology in the middle of a series, I was not really prepared for the ending. But I ultimately started to enjoy the writing style and romance aspects of the book and will be checking out more books in this series, starting with Playing for Keeps to make sure our couple gets there HEA.
Narration:
Performance: ★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★
Sound Effects: None
Dane Anderson and Audrey Obeyn are both new to me narrators but will be voice of the entire series. I liked Dane's timber and the strong voice he chose for Riley. He was able to capture the other characters well during his PoVs and I could tell them all apart. The heated moments between Riley and Andi were hot. Audrey Obeyn also did a good job with her narration. She doesn't have a lot of titles under her belt yet, but I think that will change. She was able to make Andi both strong and a little vulnerable all at the same time. I liked the inner dialogue and voice she gave to Andi. I listened to the audio at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
December 1, 2025
This is a Romantic Suspense with a lot of Steam, and this is the third book in the Checkmate series. I have the first two books in this series before picking up this book. I think this book would be better if you have read the first two books in this series, but I do think you could read this book as a standalone. This book was cute at times, but the ending broke my heart. I know the ending of this book was going to hurt me because this book has a lot of events just in a different POV that the first book in this series covered. I cannot wait for the next book.
May 9, 2021
4.5 stars. You should read books one and two first for the backstory. They are pretty interesting and full-on, but reader beware, they are dark. This book can be read as a standalone as the story-line is explained, but it does have major spoilers, especially for book one. Ridley's story actually runs at the same time as Kane's in book one and the stories intermingle at a couple of points and we discover new things, which is why the books are best read in order.
Note that this book also is a cliffhanger, as it's a duo with book four. There's drama, suspense, fun, steamy romance scenes, action and interesting characters. The author never mentions names of cities or towns, so this book could really be set anywhere and in any country - which I liked. It's nicely written and story driven. There are a lot of side characters (who appear briefly) as friends and relatives and these people are all from 2 previous book series - which I haven't read. By the time I decide to read them, I won't remember any tiny details or spoilers, so all good.
Note that this book also is a cliffhanger, as it's a duo with book four. There's drama, suspense, fun, steamy romance scenes, action and interesting characters. The author never mentions names of cities or towns, so this book could really be set anywhere and in any country - which I liked. It's nicely written and story driven. There are a lot of side characters (who appear briefly) as friends and relatives and these people are all from 2 previous book series - which I haven't read. By the time I decide to read them, I won't remember any tiny details or spoilers, so all good.
December 22, 2025
Dual Narration audio - a lot like book one this one would have been so much better as a duet because oh myyyy RILEY CRUZ!! Hearing that man's words in Aubrey Obeyns voice did him SUCH a disservice, Aubrey was great but having those lines spoken in a deep gravelly male voice would have tickled that part of my brain that female narrators can't quite hit
This book started out hot and heavy and I was IMMEDIATELY hooked on Officer Cruz. I am curious if there is any fan art out there of him, with the cover model, the male narrator, and the way his character was throughout the book, I couldn't quite imagine the "baby face" that we kept getting described. I keep seeing more of an older looking rugged cop with a five o'clock shadow and not someone who looks a decade younger than he is.
Andi was also a great mix up after Laine and I loved seeing that she is who she is and doesn't apologize for it. Curious to see how things develop between her and Cruz because SURPRISE this is the first half of a duet! Did I know that going into the audio? NOPE. Knowing the second half doesn't come out on audio until February makes me SO SAD - if we didn't know a little bit about how the next book would start I would be SCREAMING at that cliffhanger!
This book started out hot and heavy and I was IMMEDIATELY hooked on Officer Cruz. I am curious if there is any fan art out there of him, with the cover model, the male narrator, and the way his character was throughout the book, I couldn't quite imagine the "baby face" that we kept getting described. I keep seeing more of an older looking rugged cop with a five o'clock shadow and not someone who looks a decade younger than he is.
Andi was also a great mix up after Laine and I loved seeing that she is who she is and doesn't apologize for it. Curious to see how things develop between her and Cruz because SURPRISE this is the first half of a duet! Did I know that going into the audio? NOPE. Knowing the second half doesn't come out on audio until February makes me SO SAD - if we didn't know a little bit about how the next book would start I would be SCREAMING at that cliffhanger!
June 29, 2019
Holy &%#@! Yep. That’s all I got right now. I’m just over here all 🤯 after finishing this. I’ve loved every single book from Emilia Finn, but this? I’m going to say what I never thought I would. I think Riley and Andi might be my favorite. This addition to the checkmate series takes a much lighter approach than the heavier more emotional first two, but that in no way makes it less powerful.
These two have some seriously hilarious moments that are equally balanced with some serious heat. With chemistry that leaps off the pages bringing forth some on the best banter between Riley and Andi. That chemistry, heat and humor kept me hooked and resulted in me sneaking away to keep reading no matter how much adulting I had to do.
Even with the lighter side to Castling the Rook that magnetic connection that these two had still overtook the spotlight more than once bringing out some real feels and pushing me head over heels for these two. And just when I was too deep to ever want to put this book down, BAM! Hit with the mother of jaw dropping endings. I need the next book like, yesterday!
These two have some seriously hilarious moments that are equally balanced with some serious heat. With chemistry that leaps off the pages bringing forth some on the best banter between Riley and Andi. That chemistry, heat and humor kept me hooked and resulted in me sneaking away to keep reading no matter how much adulting I had to do.
Even with the lighter side to Castling the Rook that magnetic connection that these two had still overtook the spotlight more than once bringing out some real feels and pushing me head over heels for these two. And just when I was too deep to ever want to put this book down, BAM! Hit with the mother of jaw dropping endings. I need the next book like, yesterday!
April 20, 2025
5⭐️ 4🌶️
I Loved every second of Riley Cruz and his dirty mouth 🔥🔥 Andi and her lack of filter has met her ultimate match with Cruz and the chemistry is explosive. While Andi is a pro at not getting attached, Cruz knows all her tricks and isn’t willing to let her run.
Add in phenomenal writing, spice that extra spiced, suspense + danger and I could not put this book down. If you read book one this takes place at the same time as that story line, which made me even more on edge because I knew shit was going to go down!
Side note: The cameos by Kane were certainly not a hardship 😂
This is book 3 in their series and is a duet with book 4, so before you come at me about a cliffy, book 4 is immediately available to soothe your anxiety. Also, book 3 and 4 are < 250 pages each so you will fly through them.
Tropes:
Spice
Snarky FMC
Cop MMC
He’s a dirty talker
Overprotective Hero
Suspense and Twists
Duet
I Loved every second of Riley Cruz and his dirty mouth 🔥🔥 Andi and her lack of filter has met her ultimate match with Cruz and the chemistry is explosive. While Andi is a pro at not getting attached, Cruz knows all her tricks and isn’t willing to let her run.
Add in phenomenal writing, spice that extra spiced, suspense + danger and I could not put this book down. If you read book one this takes place at the same time as that story line, which made me even more on edge because I knew shit was going to go down!
Side note: The cameos by Kane were certainly not a hardship 😂
This is book 3 in their series and is a duet with book 4, so before you come at me about a cliffy, book 4 is immediately available to soothe your anxiety. Also, book 3 and 4 are < 250 pages each so you will fly through them.
Tropes:
Spice
Snarky FMC
Cop MMC
He’s a dirty talker
Overprotective Hero
Suspense and Twists
Duet
July 31, 2023
It’s Always the Quiet Ones
Rook runs parallel with Pawns, the first book in this series except it’s told from the Rookies, (Riley’s) point of view. He’s a police officer who loves his job and desperately wants to do more than run a desk and while he’s thought of as the baby faced, squeaky clean junior under his golden boy persona there’s someone else no one sees until he meets Andie, (Deedee) an easy going free spirit who quickly captures his heart. This is a duet and ends on a cliffhanger but is also part of a series that needs to be read in order. For a better understanding of crossover characters I’d recommend reading The Survivor Series first but if you’ve got the time start at the beginning with The Rollin On Series.
Rook runs parallel with Pawns, the first book in this series except it’s told from the Rookies, (Riley’s) point of view. He’s a police officer who loves his job and desperately wants to do more than run a desk and while he’s thought of as the baby faced, squeaky clean junior under his golden boy persona there’s someone else no one sees until he meets Andie, (Deedee) an easy going free spirit who quickly captures his heart. This is a duet and ends on a cliffhanger but is also part of a series that needs to be read in order. For a better understanding of crossover characters I’d recommend reading The Survivor Series first but if you’ve got the time start at the beginning with The Rollin On Series.
February 24, 2020
So So
This didn't hit all my emotional feels like the other two. Riley Cruz I could just hug for the love of his mom alone.
The attraction between him and Dee is smoking hot! It's just a shame that she lives so far away.
Please note this book is a cliffy, unsure if I will read the next as this one just didn't do it for me even though the writing was good.
This didn't hit all my emotional feels like the other two. Riley Cruz I could just hug for the love of his mom alone.
The attraction between him and Dee is smoking hot! It's just a shame that she lives so far away.
Please note this book is a cliffy, unsure if I will read the next as this one just didn't do it for me even though the writing was good.
June 3, 2025
Another excellent read. it ended in a cliffhanger so onto book 4
July 23, 2020
why are they so cute the fuck <3333
January 15, 2020
4.4 stars
This author knows how to write suspense. I was worried knowing that this story was going to be rehashing parts of the story that I knew already. However, I didn't have to be because I really enjoyed watching this couple get their start and also see behind the scenes of how my favorite characters came to be. Andi and Riley are fire together. I'm looking forward to see how it falls into place because this ended in a very dramatic way.
This author knows how to write suspense. I was worried knowing that this story was going to be rehashing parts of the story that I knew already. However, I didn't have to be because I really enjoyed watching this couple get their start and also see behind the scenes of how my favorite characters came to be. Andi and Riley are fire together. I'm looking forward to see how it falls into place because this ended in a very dramatic way.
September 6, 2019
HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER!!!!
I just finished & I currently have so many emotions circulating in my body right now, my heart doesn’t know what to do!! This book was so freakin steamy hot 🔥🔥, straight into absolutely hilarious (tears from laughter), on to the mind blowing suspense (even tho I basically know what happens bc it’s a flashback), & then on the last 2 pages, the emotional tears of pain & longing. & that cliffhanger!!!!!! This just puts me on pins & needles for July 20 to hurry up for the next installment.
I absolutely LOVE Riley!!! He’s a surprise, a very nice surprise. & Andi, is perfection. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to like her from previous books, but her quick whit, sarcasm, & just whole personality is amazing. Her relationship with Benny & Livi is perfect & her whole attitude about building other women up personifies each & every one of the ladies in Emilia’s Crew. ❤️❤️❤️
Once again, Emilia blows my mind with her AMAZING writing & her ability to make me fall in love with every single character she writes.
COME ON JULY 20th!!!!! I need more Riley & Andi!!!!
I just finished & I currently have so many emotions circulating in my body right now, my heart doesn’t know what to do!! This book was so freakin steamy hot 🔥🔥, straight into absolutely hilarious (tears from laughter), on to the mind blowing suspense (even tho I basically know what happens bc it’s a flashback), & then on the last 2 pages, the emotional tears of pain & longing. & that cliffhanger!!!!!! This just puts me on pins & needles for July 20 to hurry up for the next installment.
I absolutely LOVE Riley!!! He’s a surprise, a very nice surprise. & Andi, is perfection. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to like her from previous books, but her quick whit, sarcasm, & just whole personality is amazing. Her relationship with Benny & Livi is perfect & her whole attitude about building other women up personifies each & every one of the ladies in Emilia’s Crew. ❤️❤️❤️
Once again, Emilia blows my mind with her AMAZING writing & her ability to make me fall in love with every single character she writes.
COME ON JULY 20th!!!!! I need more Riley & Andi!!!!
January 22, 2020
It's alright
Dee is a skanky hoe that doesn't deserve Riley Cruz. I know, I know I have to read the next story to see why her life has her screwing every male she comes into contact with and why she's so afraid of settling down. But I love this author and I need to see what's going to happen with Cruz. On to the next story...
Dee is a skanky hoe that doesn't deserve Riley Cruz. I know, I know I have to read the next story to see why her life has her screwing every male she comes into contact with and why she's so afraid of settling down. But I love this author and I need to see what's going to happen with Cruz. On to the next story...
July 16, 2024
Book 3 in the interconnected series Checkmate by Emilia Finn this one is continued in the next book so it is not a complete standalone.
I've loved all of Emilia's stories and I knew this one wouldnt disappoint!
"Andi Conner is like the dainty, raven haired succubus that has the power to chew a man up and spit him out." She comes off as confident and unwilling to settle down but slowly it becomes clear she doesn't like the games she is playing. She just wants to protect herself from getting hurt. She was once an athletic trainer and now she helps people (senior citizens mostly) with physical therapy to help them get moving again. She has a huge heart for her cousin, niece and nephew. She's only in town to help her cousin and break a few hearts.
Riley is the rookie cop but got cornered into helping Jay and Kane (Book1. He's my favorite). His job is to pass on information as well as make sure they don't get arrested. He has a baby face so everyone thinks he's soft and innocent. Boy are they wrong 🥵
Dee and Riley are such a Rollercoaster. Everyone thinks she's a wild child but she's afraid and everyone thinks he's pure and innocent which he is outside or the bedroom. This story was definitely the foundation to the next book but it tied together the first 2 books well. It was such a good story that I flew through it.
This story felt like the behind the scenes of the first two books in the Checkmate series. Riley is the one Kane and Jay had to help them do their work without the police getting in the way. We get to see how messed up Jay gets in the head from all the horrible stuff the guy they are after makes him do. Riley genuinely wants to help them but now the girl of his dreams walks in his life. Will he do what needs to be done or will he be too distracted by the firecracker that is Andi. One of the coolest parts of this story is that it answers random questions I had in the first book. Again this is a two book set. It ends on a cliffhanger that we see in Kane's Story. It continues in Book4.
I don't want to say too much because of spoilers for the first 2 books. You don't have to read them for this book to make sense but the experience will be a lot better if you do! Emilia is a very talented author who makes her stories all connect in a way but allows you to read them on their own if you wish for that.
I've loved all of Emilia's stories and I knew this one wouldnt disappoint!
"Andi Conner is like the dainty, raven haired succubus that has the power to chew a man up and spit him out." She comes off as confident and unwilling to settle down but slowly it becomes clear she doesn't like the games she is playing. She just wants to protect herself from getting hurt. She was once an athletic trainer and now she helps people (senior citizens mostly) with physical therapy to help them get moving again. She has a huge heart for her cousin, niece and nephew. She's only in town to help her cousin and break a few hearts.
Riley is the rookie cop but got cornered into helping Jay and Kane (Book1. He's my favorite). His job is to pass on information as well as make sure they don't get arrested. He has a baby face so everyone thinks he's soft and innocent. Boy are they wrong 🥵
Dee and Riley are such a Rollercoaster. Everyone thinks she's a wild child but she's afraid and everyone thinks he's pure and innocent which he is outside or the bedroom. This story was definitely the foundation to the next book but it tied together the first 2 books well. It was such a good story that I flew through it.
This story felt like the behind the scenes of the first two books in the Checkmate series. Riley is the one Kane and Jay had to help them do their work without the police getting in the way. We get to see how messed up Jay gets in the head from all the horrible stuff the guy they are after makes him do. Riley genuinely wants to help them but now the girl of his dreams walks in his life. Will he do what needs to be done or will he be too distracted by the firecracker that is Andi. One of the coolest parts of this story is that it answers random questions I had in the first book. Again this is a two book set. It ends on a cliffhanger that we see in Kane's Story. It continues in Book4.
I don't want to say too much because of spoilers for the first 2 books. You don't have to read them for this book to make sense but the experience will be a lot better if you do! Emilia is a very talented author who makes her stories all connect in a way but allows you to read them on their own if you wish for that.
January 1, 2026
Castling The Rook
By: Emilia Finn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Genre: Dark Romance
Narrated by: Dane Anderson & Audrey Obeyn
Audio Released: 12/16/25
🖤Control vs. Surrender
🚔Morally Grey
🖤Slow Burn
🚔Snarky FMC
🖤Cop MMC
Blurb:
Junior, baby-faced, rookie – Riley Cruz has heard it all. The youngest police recruit in town, Riley is thirty-one years old, but is constantly overlooked because of his youthful features and habit to keep his mouth shut when everyone else is loud.
But not everything is as it seems. Not everyone is as innocent as they appear.
Recruited by big players in the law enforcement world and reluctantly thrust onto a team of agents that skirt the edge of what is legal, the innocent cop has to straddle a line between cops and agents, right and wrong, and might possess the darkest secrets of them all.
Riley’s had his eyes on a certain raven-haired beauty since day one, but Andi Conner is a wild horse, apt to run at any moment, and scared of anything that requires more commitment than a one-night-stand.
Riley has to juggle each portion of his life – cops, agents, Andi – and keep them all separate, but when it all blows up, he might just lose everything.
Castling The Rook is part of a duet featuring Andi Conner and Riley Cruz. This is part one. Part two is titled Playing For Keeps.
———*———*———-
Holy fknnnn sh!t!!! There’s just so many emotions with this book.
I how it fills in a lot of stuff we didn’t know from the first book so i definitely suggest reading book 1 and 2 before you start this one. This book definitely broke my heart but it was also filled with suspense, drama and streamy romance.
There is so much banter between Riley & Andi and I loved it. The chemistry that they built on during the book was great.
Thank you to NetGalley, Emilia, Dane, Audrey & Brilliance Publishing for the ALC! I appreciate it!
By: Emilia Finn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Genre: Dark Romance
Narrated by: Dane Anderson & Audrey Obeyn
Audio Released: 12/16/25
🖤Control vs. Surrender
🚔Morally Grey
🖤Slow Burn
🚔Snarky FMC
🖤Cop MMC
Blurb:
Junior, baby-faced, rookie – Riley Cruz has heard it all. The youngest police recruit in town, Riley is thirty-one years old, but is constantly overlooked because of his youthful features and habit to keep his mouth shut when everyone else is loud.
But not everything is as it seems. Not everyone is as innocent as they appear.
Recruited by big players in the law enforcement world and reluctantly thrust onto a team of agents that skirt the edge of what is legal, the innocent cop has to straddle a line between cops and agents, right and wrong, and might possess the darkest secrets of them all.
Riley’s had his eyes on a certain raven-haired beauty since day one, but Andi Conner is a wild horse, apt to run at any moment, and scared of anything that requires more commitment than a one-night-stand.
Riley has to juggle each portion of his life – cops, agents, Andi – and keep them all separate, but when it all blows up, he might just lose everything.
Castling The Rook is part of a duet featuring Andi Conner and Riley Cruz. This is part one. Part two is titled Playing For Keeps.
———*———*———-
Holy fknnnn sh!t!!! There’s just so many emotions with this book.
I how it fills in a lot of stuff we didn’t know from the first book so i definitely suggest reading book 1 and 2 before you start this one. This book definitely broke my heart but it was also filled with suspense, drama and streamy romance.
There is so much banter between Riley & Andi and I loved it. The chemistry that they built on during the book was great.
Thank you to NetGalley, Emilia, Dane, Audrey & Brilliance Publishing for the ALC! I appreciate it!
December 20, 2025
Another wow from me. I love Riley. I love his devotion to doing good, doing the right thing, his momma and even to being what Andi wants. I love his growly persona for Andi. I love his soft and sweet. I love his dedication to his health and his body. I love his cheat day and his search for the lunch thief.
I like Andi because.she takes no prisoners. She just takes names and kicks tail, but I do think she is a little bit selfish and I actually think that is mostly okay.
I admit I pretty much went into this story blind, as I didn't realize it was going to end on such a heartbreaking cliffhanger, but I certainly won't be waiting to grab book four. My heart was pounding several times for Riley when he has to walk that fine line between his two selves/two jobs and my heart definitely hurt.for Jay, especially when Riley tries to offer him a helping hand in such a personal way.
I held out for Andi moving to be with Riley and to be near to a protective and fierce Ben and Lindsey and everyone she (Andi) loves.
These characters, all of them, Oz, Alex, Jay, Kane, all of them are.compelling and draw you in like a magnet. The story is fun and flirty and nitty and gritty and keeps you engaged.
The narrators do a great job of showing us the difference between each character, putting tone and inflection to work. I could hear the emotion and the attitude through the voice.
I hope we get more from Jay soon even though I have a really bad feeling about that. I'm off to.find book four.
This is a review of the audiobook.
I like Andi because.she takes no prisoners. She just takes names and kicks tail, but I do think she is a little bit selfish and I actually think that is mostly okay.
I admit I pretty much went into this story blind, as I didn't realize it was going to end on such a heartbreaking cliffhanger, but I certainly won't be waiting to grab book four. My heart was pounding several times for Riley when he has to walk that fine line between his two selves/two jobs and my heart definitely hurt.for Jay, especially when Riley tries to offer him a helping hand in such a personal way.
I held out for Andi moving to be with Riley and to be near to a protective and fierce Ben and Lindsey and everyone she (Andi) loves.
These characters, all of them, Oz, Alex, Jay, Kane, all of them are.compelling and draw you in like a magnet. The story is fun and flirty and nitty and gritty and keeps you engaged.
The narrators do a great job of showing us the difference between each character, putting tone and inflection to work. I could hear the emotion and the attitude through the voice.
I hope we get more from Jay soon even though I have a really bad feeling about that. I'm off to.find book four.
This is a review of the audiobook.
January 31, 2020
I was really confused at first reading this book as one of the side characters passed in the first book. But then as I read further, this book paralleled the first one and I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed seeing the side character and how he survived the first death attempt. It was also nice to see how the side character’s personality really was as we didn’t get to see that in the first book as he disappeared. We were able to get an insight of how much he wanted out and how scared he truly was. Now we know in this book. I was more invested in this character the most in this book. In addition, I was more invested in this story line rather than the romance part of the story. The romance was secondary for me.
The FC I was not too thrilled about. Yes, there are manwhores and female whores (not prostitutes) I just felt she was over the top. But then as I read, well so are the manwhores. I just think that I had a hard time connecting with her. I don’t blame the author one bit on this as it was my opinion and nothing the author did. I just had to comes to terms with the non-connection.
I’m actually glad the author wrote the story this way. It gave a hint of an illusion in the first book but allows us a step by step understanding in this book. I think this is the best one in the series so far. I was on the edge of my seat with the suspense.
The FC I was not too thrilled about. Yes, there are manwhores and female whores (not prostitutes) I just felt she was over the top. But then as I read, well so are the manwhores. I just think that I had a hard time connecting with her. I don’t blame the author one bit on this as it was my opinion and nothing the author did. I just had to comes to terms with the non-connection.
I’m actually glad the author wrote the story this way. It gave a hint of an illusion in the first book but allows us a step by step understanding in this book. I think this is the best one in the series so far. I was on the edge of my seat with the suspense.
July 11, 2020
This is book three of the Checkmate Series which is a spinoff of the Survivor Series that is a spinoff of the Rollin On series all by the same author Emilia Finn. Castling The Rook is part of a duet featuring Andi Conner and Riley Cruz. This is part one. Part two is titled Playing For Keeps.
This book starts with a woman we met in previous books named Andi, or Andrea, or Dee or DeeDee; she is the cousin of Lindsi and is considered a wild woman. Then the male lead is Officer Riley, we met him in the previous two books, he gets no respect on the force since he is the baby faced rookie. Andi is seen as wild, not willing to settle, always playing with men, and never serious. Riley is always seen as young and inexperienced. When these two finally hook up it more than she expected and as good as he dreamed it would be.
The character development was really good and well thought out, it built on the knowledge that the reader had from previous books. Unlike previous books by this author in this series, it does not center on all the other characters, this one is compact it is really just this family of Riley and the family of Andi. This is a book of fear, insecurity, and growth, forgiveness, healing, and finding one’s self in all the madness.
This book does not have a HEA and it does have a cliffhanger.
This book starts with a woman we met in previous books named Andi, or Andrea, or Dee or DeeDee; she is the cousin of Lindsi and is considered a wild woman. Then the male lead is Officer Riley, we met him in the previous two books, he gets no respect on the force since he is the baby faced rookie. Andi is seen as wild, not willing to settle, always playing with men, and never serious. Riley is always seen as young and inexperienced. When these two finally hook up it more than she expected and as good as he dreamed it would be.
The character development was really good and well thought out, it built on the knowledge that the reader had from previous books. Unlike previous books by this author in this series, it does not center on all the other characters, this one is compact it is really just this family of Riley and the family of Andi. This is a book of fear, insecurity, and growth, forgiveness, healing, and finding one’s self in all the madness.
This book does not have a HEA and it does have a cliffhanger.
February 11, 2020
me before reading this book: who are these people? they have barely appeared like twice in this universe, why should i care about them?
me after reading this book: I NEED TO PROTECT THEM!!!!
Andi and Riley's story was quite instalust. Andie is a free spirit, an empowered woman who isn't looking for a relationship, while Riley is a sweet man who isn't afraid of commitment. Despite being two people with different goals, they had a fun time together, but when feelings start to get involved, long distance affects and angst hits... yeah, that's my kind of thing.
I usually don't like books that retell the same story, but from another point of view because I get bored easily and tend to skim a lot, but not with this book. It kept me hooked at all times. And also, I liked those little glimpses of Lindi and Oz's relationship, the Rollers' cameos, the small breadcrumbs of the next generation and the friendship between Jay and Riley. It was all very sweet and fun.
me after reading this book: I NEED TO PROTECT THEM!!!!
“Truce, Dee? Just for tonight, no games, don’t run. I just need to rest.” “Okay.” I don’t want to play games tonight either, so I pat my bare chest and pull him down. “Sleep on me, handsome. You can rest now.”
Andi and Riley's story was quite instalust. Andie is a free spirit, an empowered woman who isn't looking for a relationship, while Riley is a sweet man who isn't afraid of commitment. Despite being two people with different goals, they had a fun time together, but when feelings start to get involved, long distance affects and angst hits... yeah, that's my kind of thing.
I usually don't like books that retell the same story, but from another point of view because I get bored easily and tend to skim a lot, but not with this book. It kept me hooked at all times. And also, I liked those little glimpses of Lindi and Oz's relationship, the Rollers' cameos, the small breadcrumbs of the next generation and the friendship between Jay and Riley. It was all very sweet and fun.
June 8, 2023
Sweet Riley Cruz. He was put through the wringer! When we first meet Riley and Andi they have a steamy one night stand. The rookie cop is hooked from the first moment but Andi isn’t convinced. Riley is the youngest cop on the force with Oz. Andi is Lindi’s cousin, Oz’s wife, and in town for their wedding and then their honeymoon to watch the kids. She was not expecting the baby faced cop to be such an alpha in bed but she wants more.
Everything takes a drastic turn when Riley is shot. The happy go lucky cop is now grumpy, angry, closed off and mean. But Andi refuses to leave him and is determined to help him overcome his new challenges. I love how strong and committed Andi is. She’s funny and fiesty but she is also compassionate and caring. Riley comes off harsh but really he just wants to give Andi what she deserves and no longer thinks he is it. Eventually they tear down each other’s walls and insecurities and their love is a beautiful one.
This duet is full of banter, spice, hurt, hope, love, and fighting to overcome personal battles. Book 3 also goes back to book 1 and fills in the gaps from Kane’s story. Don’t skip this one!
Read if you like:
- one night stand turned more
- forced proximity
- grumpy/ sunshine
Everything takes a drastic turn when Riley is shot. The happy go lucky cop is now grumpy, angry, closed off and mean. But Andi refuses to leave him and is determined to help him overcome his new challenges. I love how strong and committed Andi is. She’s funny and fiesty but she is also compassionate and caring. Riley comes off harsh but really he just wants to give Andi what she deserves and no longer thinks he is it. Eventually they tear down each other’s walls and insecurities and their love is a beautiful one.
This duet is full of banter, spice, hurt, hope, love, and fighting to overcome personal battles. Book 3 also goes back to book 1 and fills in the gaps from Kane’s story. Don’t skip this one!
Read if you like:
- one night stand turned more
- forced proximity
- grumpy/ sunshine
June 20, 2025
4.5 stars, 2.5 on the spice scale.
This is book 3 in the Checkmate series, but book 1 of a duet within the series as we follow Riley and Andi over the course of books 3 and 4.
This was such a strong start to the duet! At just 250 pages, it packed in character development, a simmering romance, and some fantastic connective tissue to Kane Bishop and his world. I especially loved the added depth we get around Jay—and what really happened while Kane thought he was gone. It brings new dimension to Book 1 and gives Riley a much bigger role than I was expecting.
Riley, the rookie cop with a deceptively clean-cut vibe, gets way more than he bargained for when the FBI loop him into Kane’s world. The way he becomes the quiet bridge between law enforcement and the Bishop brothers was a brilliant move, and it grounds the action in something personal.
Andi, Lindsi’s cousin, is such a great heroine for him—sex-forward, confident, and refreshingly unattached. Their chemistry snaps, and watching Riley prove just how un-innocent he really is was delicious. Their long-distance, friends-with-benefits setup gave plenty of tension, especially with Andi’s instinct to run when things got emotionally charged.
The road to intimacy is bumpy, and their fight adds a layer of realism just before things go sideways with Kane, leading to a heart stopping cliffhanger! I’m all in for how this unfolds next.
This is book 3 in the Checkmate series, but book 1 of a duet within the series as we follow Riley and Andi over the course of books 3 and 4.
This was such a strong start to the duet! At just 250 pages, it packed in character development, a simmering romance, and some fantastic connective tissue to Kane Bishop and his world. I especially loved the added depth we get around Jay—and what really happened while Kane thought he was gone. It brings new dimension to Book 1 and gives Riley a much bigger role than I was expecting.
Riley, the rookie cop with a deceptively clean-cut vibe, gets way more than he bargained for when the FBI loop him into Kane’s world. The way he becomes the quiet bridge between law enforcement and the Bishop brothers was a brilliant move, and it grounds the action in something personal.
Andi, Lindsi’s cousin, is such a great heroine for him—sex-forward, confident, and refreshingly unattached. Their chemistry snaps, and watching Riley prove just how un-innocent he really is was delicious. Their long-distance, friends-with-benefits setup gave plenty of tension, especially with Andi’s instinct to run when things got emotionally charged.
The road to intimacy is bumpy, and their fight adds a layer of realism just before things go sideways with Kane, leading to a heart stopping cliffhanger! I’m all in for how this unfolds next.
December 13, 2025
Thank you for the arc NetGalley! (ALC)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️🌶️.5
🎧- dual
This was my first book from this author!
Narrators - I thought the narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life. It was easy to distinguish the characters from each other! The pace of the narration was perfect.
Overall, this was an entertaining book. It is more character driven, and by that I mean it is heavier on the relationship between the MMC and FMC and thinner on the plot. It picked up for me about 80% of the way where the plot took center stage. I wasn’t sure if I would pick up the next book, but now, I think I might. Yes, those dang cliffhangers really grab you.
The FMC is strong willed, crass and knows what she wants. She doesn’t take shit from anyone. The MMC has secrets but is perceived to be a bit of a clean cut boyscout by his colleagues (he is a cop). In reality, he has a matching dirty mouth to the FMC.
The spice is definitely spicing, so no disappointment on the front. 🥵
If you love more invested in the relationship than the story, this one is definitely for you! It is romance with a side of thriller!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️🌶️.5
🎧- dual
This was my first book from this author!
Narrators - I thought the narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life. It was easy to distinguish the characters from each other! The pace of the narration was perfect.
Overall, this was an entertaining book. It is more character driven, and by that I mean it is heavier on the relationship between the MMC and FMC and thinner on the plot. It picked up for me about 80% of the way where the plot took center stage. I wasn’t sure if I would pick up the next book, but now, I think I might. Yes, those dang cliffhangers really grab you.
The FMC is strong willed, crass and knows what she wants. She doesn’t take shit from anyone. The MMC has secrets but is perceived to be a bit of a clean cut boyscout by his colleagues (he is a cop). In reality, he has a matching dirty mouth to the FMC.
The spice is definitely spicing, so no disappointment on the front. 🥵
If you love more invested in the relationship than the story, this one is definitely for you! It is romance with a side of thriller!
December 23, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
🌶️🌶️🌶️Castling the Rook is the third book in the Checkmate series, and I absolutely loved how this one takes us back to the beginning of Bishop’s story, even a little before it all truly started. That deeper look into the past was so satisfying and added emotional weight to everything we already know.
And Riley… oh my god. That man.
I love him. I need one of him.
He completely stole the show for me.
I also really enjoyed getting more behind-the-scenes context and answers. The pacing in this book felt much stronger and more in line with book one, which made it easier to stay fully engaged the entire time.
The audiobook continues with dual narration using the same narrators as the previous books, and once again, they did a phenomenal job bringing these characters and emotions to life.
This book kicks off a duet within the series, with the next book serving as the finale, and I am very much looking forward to it. I’m honestly obsessed with this one. It was incredibly well done and easily one of my favorites in the series so far.
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
🌶️🌶️🌶️Castling the Rook is the third book in the Checkmate series, and I absolutely loved how this one takes us back to the beginning of Bishop’s story, even a little before it all truly started. That deeper look into the past was so satisfying and added emotional weight to everything we already know.
And Riley… oh my god. That man.
I love him. I need one of him.
He completely stole the show for me.
I also really enjoyed getting more behind-the-scenes context and answers. The pacing in this book felt much stronger and more in line with book one, which made it easier to stay fully engaged the entire time.
The audiobook continues with dual narration using the same narrators as the previous books, and once again, they did a phenomenal job bringing these characters and emotions to life.
This book kicks off a duet within the series, with the next book serving as the finale, and I am very much looking forward to it. I’m honestly obsessed with this one. It was incredibly well done and easily one of my favorites in the series so far.
December 28, 2025
what a teaser with my favorite rookie! i knew i would adore getting a deeper look at who riley is & i have adored andi since meeting her in previous stories. while the events of this book took place alongside the previous two in the series & i knew where it was headed- the ending still had me in tears and, i look forward to seeing how the events play out in part 2!
dane anderson and audrey obeyn were perfect narrators for this series and i loved every minute!
thank you so much to emilia finn, brilliance audio and netgalley for the opportunity to receive and review an ALC of Castling the Rook!
tropes: romantic suspense, ONS, sunshine x sunshine, cop x physical therapist, found family
adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dementia, Grief
dane anderson and audrey obeyn were perfect narrators for this series and i loved every minute!
thank you so much to emilia finn, brilliance audio and netgalley for the opportunity to receive and review an ALC of Castling the Rook!
tropes: romantic suspense, ONS, sunshine x sunshine, cop x physical therapist, found family
adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dementia, Grief
August 3, 2020
A Must Read
Castling the Rook is Riley Cruz aka Rook and Andi aka Dee Conner's story. If you have read Finn's other series than you have meet these characters. This story timeline starts before book one Pawns In Bishops Game begins and then ends. We get a different POV about the same events but from a different angle. This book ends with a major cliffhanger so be prepared to read book four.
Andi Conner is a single woman who is Lindsi's cousin, Andi has no filter, she likes what she likes and doesn't do commitments. Riley and her meet and they have a fun time between the sheets. I don't want to reveal too much of the storyline because I hate reading about spoilers in a review. So pick up a copy and give it a go!! I highly recommend Reading this series in order or better yet, go back to the Rollers were it all started and read your way to Checkmate. I guarantee you will find enjoyment in reading each story by Finn. Happy Reading!!
Castling the Rook is Riley Cruz aka Rook and Andi aka Dee Conner's story. If you have read Finn's other series than you have meet these characters. This story timeline starts before book one Pawns In Bishops Game begins and then ends. We get a different POV about the same events but from a different angle. This book ends with a major cliffhanger so be prepared to read book four.
Andi Conner is a single woman who is Lindsi's cousin, Andi has no filter, she likes what she likes and doesn't do commitments. Riley and her meet and they have a fun time between the sheets. I don't want to reveal too much of the storyline because I hate reading about spoilers in a review. So pick up a copy and give it a go!! I highly recommend Reading this series in order or better yet, go back to the Rollers were it all started and read your way to Checkmate. I guarantee you will find enjoyment in reading each story by Finn. Happy Reading!!
December 12, 2020
OMG, am I the only person that took a damn long time (half of the book) to understand that this story is happening at the same of the first book? I mean, there were some weird things that weren't adding up but I didn't made the connection until sometime had passed. I really Riley and I think he deserves better than Andi. I'm all up for female power and all that, trust me, but this too much, and I know that they didn't start their friends with benefits thing thinking they were gonna catch feelings, but it pissed me of because you can tell that she really likes him and instead of trying to make a relationship work, she pushes him away and goes on with her life. It was so unfair because Riley really is an amazing guy and he deserves someone who won't play games with him. I just hope that when she knows he's been shot, pulls her head out of her ass and sees that he could have died and the last thing she did was hurt him. Can't wait to read the final of this duet
December 14, 2025
Review of *Castling the Rook
by Emilia Finn
Narrated by Dane Anderson; Audrey Obeyn
**4⭐️**
Riley Cruz, a rookie police officer, and Andi Connor, cousin to the police chief’s wife, meet at the police chief’s wedding—and the chemistry is instant. Andi is determined to avoid emotional entanglements, but Riley quickly proves that first impressions can be deceiving. Their story drives the main arc of the book, while a subplot follows Riley working with **Jay Bishop** as an informant. The Bishop family’s dynamics are further explored throughout the series.
As always, Emilia Finn handles heavy topics thoughtfully. **Trigger warnings** include drug addiction, dementia, and survival of abuse.
This dark romance series will appeal to readers who enjoy morally complex and intense relationships. My only critique is that this book is shorter than the others in the series and is split into two parts.
**Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC.**
by Emilia Finn
Narrated by Dane Anderson; Audrey Obeyn
**4⭐️**
Riley Cruz, a rookie police officer, and Andi Connor, cousin to the police chief’s wife, meet at the police chief’s wedding—and the chemistry is instant. Andi is determined to avoid emotional entanglements, but Riley quickly proves that first impressions can be deceiving. Their story drives the main arc of the book, while a subplot follows Riley working with **Jay Bishop** as an informant. The Bishop family’s dynamics are further explored throughout the series.
As always, Emilia Finn handles heavy topics thoughtfully. **Trigger warnings** include drug addiction, dementia, and survival of abuse.
This dark romance series will appeal to readers who enjoy morally complex and intense relationships. My only critique is that this book is shorter than the others in the series and is split into two parts.
**Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC.**
July 8, 2019
I have read every single one of Emilia Finn’s books, and I think I love each new one even more than the last. I love that she keeps going back to characters we’ve met in other books, and I care about them almost as much as my own family.
I am always worried when I read books that are “retold” in another character’s point of view. I tend to skim those books or chapters, because I’ve already read them and feel bored. Twice now, Emilia has gotten me with John and now Riley. Not only have I read every single paragraph in both books with no skimming, I have loved the new perspective for both of those characters, and ended up loving John and Riley far more than I ever thought possible. ❤️
Emilia has become a must-Read author to me, and I am constantly counting down the days to her next release.
I am always worried when I read books that are “retold” in another character’s point of view. I tend to skim those books or chapters, because I’ve already read them and feel bored. Twice now, Emilia has gotten me with John and now Riley. Not only have I read every single paragraph in both books with no skimming, I have loved the new perspective for both of those characters, and ended up loving John and Riley far more than I ever thought possible. ❤️
Emilia has become a must-Read author to me, and I am constantly counting down the days to her next release.
October 26, 2024
This is the third book in the checkmate series and part one of a duet. This book focuses on police rookie Riley Cruz and feisty Andrea Connor! It is very slow moving as we witness their relationship grow from a one night stand into the possibility of something more. Andi is scared of the feelings she’s developing for Riley and scared of what could be. She fights the draw and constantly runs away. Her fear lands her all the way back home when it all comes to an end. This book ends where Riley’s story ends. He’s shot in the line of duty protecting Jess and Laine and then to him, it all goes black. This book was so good and so infuriating! I was waiting for the whole book for them to get it together and realize they needed each other. Neither one of them wanted to be the one to cross that line first and it almost cost them everything. Knowing where this book ends, I was so excited to jump into the second book of their story and see how it ends. Definitely recommend! Emilia Finn is an excellent author when it comes to all things dark/mafia romance. If you haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend that you do!
August 5, 2019
Incredibly Well Done.
I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved this book. Until this point, Marc and Meg has been my all time favorite couple from Emilia’s books. Andi and Riley have taken the cake. I’ve never in my life related to a character the way that I relate to Andi. She’s written so real. All of the characters are. They’re written in a way where you completely forget that you’re just reading a book. It feels like these are real people, that these people are right here in front of you and when you come up from reading, you’re shocked that they aren’t sitting right there telling you their story. I laughed, I cried, I felt the love and the joy and the pain. This was fantastic.
I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved this book. Until this point, Marc and Meg has been my all time favorite couple from Emilia’s books. Andi and Riley have taken the cake. I’ve never in my life related to a character the way that I relate to Andi. She’s written so real. All of the characters are. They’re written in a way where you completely forget that you’re just reading a book. It feels like these are real people, that these people are right here in front of you and when you come up from reading, you’re shocked that they aren’t sitting right there telling you their story. I laughed, I cried, I felt the love and the joy and the pain. This was fantastic.
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