Title: Craft Brew

Author: Layla Reyne

Series: Trouble Brewing

Genre: Adult Contemporary/Spy

Summary: Assistant US attorney Dominic Price is staring down the barrel of his father’s debts. The bull’s-eye on his back makes him a threat to everyone he cares about, so when his lover wants to go public with their relationship, he bolts. Not because he isn’t in love—he can’t stomach the thought of putting Cam in danger.

Kidnap and rescue expert Cameron Byrne is determined to figure out what trouble Nic is running from, but devastating news from home brings him back to Boston and to the cold case that has haunted his family for two decades. Shoving aside his pride, he calls Nic for help.

Together they search for answers, navigating the minefield of Cam’s past. But when they get too close to the truth, Cam must use every skill in his arsenal to save the man he loves…before it’s too late. 

My Thoughts: This book had more depth to it than the first one which is good because I actually thoroughly enjoyed the first one but somehow this book seemed…fuller.

And Nic actually asking for help? Actually realizing that he doesn’t have to stand on his own and fight on his own and that there is someone that he can lean on? Well, that was substantial growth and something I was glad to read. There is something about the way Layla Reyne writes that makes me need to know more about her characters, to really dig myself into the book and not put it down.

There is a pretty sizable slow burn in this book, which I love. And mysteries? I love a good mystery. And this was a good mystery! I am the person who watches and reads about cold cases to a degree that some people find alarming and the way I consumed this book was no different.

This book also did a good job with its discussion of intimacy and that not a lot of couples move at the same pace. God, was I relieved to see the reality of that situation play out. Sometimes one person is more open than the other, sometimes people are hiding their own hurt, guilt, and perhaps a little bit of shame? But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t unburden themselves and this book deals nicely with that.

I will definitely be reading more of this series, and also hopefully more of Layla Reyne, because this? This is a style of writing I can get behind.