Tequila Sunrise by Layla Reyne

True love perseveres in this Agents Irish and Whiskey spin-off novella from author Layla Reyne

Former FBI agent Melissa “Mel” Cruz spent years skirting the line between life and death, knowing the next assignment might be her last. Back from overseas and eager to enjoy life outside the Bureau, she's ready to give Danny Talley a Christmas Eve he'll never forget.

A proven asset in high stakes missions, Danny's known for having the skill and brains to get the job done. When the Talley Flag Ship is hijacked during the company holiday party, he’ll do anything to save his family, his love, and everything they’ve all worked so hard to build. But their enemies have a secondary protocol—leave no survivors—and that plan is already in play.

Navigating through a tangled web of lies and betrayal, Mel and Danny race against the clock to retake the ship before their future goes up in flames. As the seconds tick down, they're forced to face their greatest fear—losing each other.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!

Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
I was thrilled to be back in the Agents Irish and Whiskey universe. This is a fast-paced novella that centres around Melissa and Danny's relationship and a hijacking of the new Talley ship. I love that the author gives us an m/f romance in a universe where the original romance was m/m. As a reader, I want that variety.

So the story takes us from the present to the past to give us snippets of what has happened to the characters at different times in their lives. This is something I quite enjoy when authors do but in this case, the first few times it happened, I was annoyed because exciting things were happening in the now and I didn't want a trip down memory lane, no matter how relevant.

I has a great time reading this action-packed story and for me, it was over way too quickly. I was happy being with these characters again and while reading was secretly hoping the author would write Nic's story too. Lucky for me, the note at the end of the story said the author will be doing exactly that.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
They’re back! I was so sad when this series ended so I was thrilled to get my hands on this Christmas catch-up. And I love that it isn’t just a catch-up, it’s an action-packed thriller in its own right. With the Talley family and hundreds of party guests held hostage on a boat, it’s up to Mel, Danny, and Jamie to save them all.

The action is at the centre of this story. We already know all the characters, so little time is spent with introductions or scene setting (this isn’t a standalone, new readers need to start at the beginning of the series). I was pleased that the plot works perfectly in the novella format. It’s fast paced, complicated enough to be interesting, yet easily contained and quickly resolved.

I didn’t bother with the blurb, so the m/f focus took me by surprise. I’m always a little bit wary of m/f romance, but this is Mel. Aiden and Jamie’s kick ass FBI boss. And she is fabulous in her own story. This is a short, action-packed novella so we don’t get a huge amount of character development, but we get a little bit more background about her and Gabe growing up and a few of the gaps in hers and Danny’s romance are also filled in for us.

This isn’t a romance in the traditional sense. Mel and Danny are already a couple at the start of the story, but this is the first glimpse we’ve had of these two from their own perspectives. It isn’t necessarily a sexy story either, but there is definitely heat (and a little kink) between Mel and Danny.

This isn’t only Mel and Danny’s story. Jamie’s super computer skills come to the rescue and I really enjoyed Danny and Jamie working together. Oh – and Aiden is perfect as a shiny new FBI boss. This feels like the perfect way to catch up with characters I really wasn’t ready to say goodbye to. It’s a great Christmas adventure.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I generally don't read much M/F books anymore, but because I read the previous three books in the series and I really liked Mel, I decided to go for it. I am so glad I did. I usually don't like books that go from past to present, but it worked for me in this book. I also liked the dual points of view, you get to see and feel so much more when books have that. There was action and passion and just all around goodness to the book, I just wished it was longer.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth in the series – and it diverts from focusing on Aidan and Jamie and gives Melissa and Danny the chance to tell their story. We get quick trips back in time to remind us how they met, and the convoluted way in which difficult truths came out and affected them. Not usually a fan of moving backwards and forwards in time, this worked well as it gave us a different perspective on events we knew from previous storylines.

The hijack plot works well at giving everyone a chance to shine and get their moment in the limelight. Mel and Danny have been hiding a secret from their family, which is definitely revealed during the evening. They make a lovely pair, that is for sure.

Very enjoyable novella in the series, and the perfect way to tell us more about side characters that we have come to know. Thank you, Ms. Reyne.

Also Available in the Agents Irish and Whiskey Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Single Malt post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Cask Strength post.

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Barrel Proof post.

Love, Coast-to-Coast.

Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up surrounded by generations of Southern storytellers and at the knee of her soap-opera-loving grandmother (and her grandfather, too, though he’d never admit it), she began spinning tales of romance at an early age. Now writing romantic suspense and contemporary romance, Layla is inspired by her coast-to-coast experiences and delights in weaving elements of the people she’s met and places she’s been into her stories for readers everywhere to enjoy. Layla, a 2016 RWA Golden Heart® Award Finalist in Romantic Suspense, is a member of Romance Writers of America and its Silicon Valley, Kiss of Death, Golden Network and Rainbow Romance Writers chapters.

Connect with Layla

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Tequila Sunrise (Agents Irish and Whiskey #4) by Layla Reyne to read and review.

Barrel Proof by Layla Reyne

FBI agents Aidan "Irish" Talley and Jameson "Whiskey" Walker can't get a moment's peace. Their hunt for the terrorist Renaud seems to be nearing an end, until a fire allows him to slip through their fingers—and puts Jamie's life in danger. When Jamie is nearly killed, Aidan learns how many forms loss can take.

Aidan says I love you just moments before learning that Jamie's been keeping a devastating secret about Aidan's late husband. How quickly trust and love can go up in flames. When Aidan requests a solo undercover assignment, Jamie hopes Aidan will find a way to forgive him.

But the explosions are far from over. Aidan's cover lands him in the heart of the terrorist's conspiracy, and Jamie will have to put his life, his career and his freedom on the line to save the man who has become his entire world. Partners, always is a promise he intends to keep.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
The third instalment in the Agents Irish and Whisky series sees Aidan learning the truth about his dead husband and the extent of terrorist Renaud’s involvement in those around him. Furious that Jamie kept this information from him, Jamie takes a step back from their relationship and goes undercover alone. The seeming routine undercover mission turns out to be anything but.

Barrel Proof is absolutely action packed. Action, crime solving, danger, and a love story are all perfectly woven together. Full throttle from start to finish and over way too soon, Barrel Proof is a fantastic finish to a series that is my favourite discovery of 2017.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I love this series and I sure the heck hope there will be more books. In this book, we get all the answers to everything and, WOW, I didn't see some of that coming. I just love the relationship between Aidan and Jamie aka Irish and Whiskey, they are just so good together. The story moved well and it kept me engaged and I didn't want it to end. When things go belly up I was so upset; I knew it wasn't the end, but I still cried. Great book, great storyline, great characters. LOVED IT.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I am so sad this series is over but this last book is the best one yet. The story starts with Jamie and Aidan barely surviving an explosive, movie worthy fire in Cuba and the action just keeps getting better through the story.

We know all the characters by now and this is definitely Jamie’s book. Aidan spends a little too much time sulking over the secrets Jamie and Mel have kept from him, which adds unnecessary relationship angst into the already dramatic hunt for Renaud. Jamie shines here – both his computer skills and his secret agent skills prove essential and I enjoyed seeing him as more than the junior partner.

Once again, it is difficult to trust anyone in this third book and I loved the suspense as I tried to guess how the story would unfold. The non-stop action leaves our men battered and a little worse for wear, but I loved the way they work as partners in this book.

I’m not sure how much more I can write without giving anything away. I fell in love with this series from the first book and it just kept getting better. Anyone who started this series needs to read this last book and readers who have loved action-packed series by writers like Abigail Roux and Charlie Cochet will love this series just as much. Aidan and Jamie are great characters and I loved the way the self-contained storylines in each book were wrapped into the more complex whole series story arc. This is such a great series and I can’t wait to read more from this author.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of action, adventure, and passion

This is the third book in the series, and I am hoping that it is not the last. I highly recommend that you read them in order, as it would be a much truncated story otherwise.

Aidan and Jamie are battling the terrorist, Renaud, and then sadly, each other. But just as we can be certain that the baddie will be caught, we must surely also hold firm that these two men will resolve their issues and give us the ending we want.

I thought that the mystery was well executed and had a fascinating resolution. And, I think gave us hope for more from the FBI team and the inner circle of colleagues.

And for sure the heat between Irish and Whiskey developed into something stronger and more special. And the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" seems to fit very nicely!

Also Available in the Agents Irish and Whiskey Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Single Malt post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Cask Strength post.

Love, Coast-to-Coast.

Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up surrounded by generations of Southern storytellers and at the knee of her soap-opera-loving grandmother (and her grandfather, too, though he’d never admit it), she began spinning tales of romance at an early age. Now writing romantic suspense and contemporary romance, Layla is inspired by her coast-to-coast experiences and delights in weaving elements of the people she’s met and places she’s been into her stories for readers everywhere to enjoy. Layla, a 2016 RWA Golden Heart® Award Finalist in Romantic Suspense, is a member of Romance Writers of America and its Silicon Valley, Kiss of Death, Golden Network and Rainbow Romance Writers chapters.

Connect with Layla

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Barrel Proof (Agents Irish and Whiskey #3) by Layla Reyne to read and review.

Cask Strength by Layla Reyne

Professionally, the FBI team of Aidan "Irish" Talley and Jameson "Whiskey" Walker is as good as it gets, closing cases faster than any team at the Bureau. Personally, it’s a different story. Aidan’s feelings for Jamie scare the hell out of him: he won’t risk losing another love no matter how heart-tripping the intimacy between them. And loss is a grim reality with the terrorist Renaud still on their trail, leaving a pile of bodies in his wake.

Going undercover on a new case gets them out of town and off the killer's radar. They're assigned to investigate an identity theft ring involving a college basketball team in Jamie's home state, where Jamie's past makes him perfect for the role of coach. But returning to the court brings more than old memories.

As secrets and shocking betrayals abound, none may be more dangerous than the one Jamie’s been keeping: a secret about the death of Aidan’s husband that could blow his partner's world apart and destroy forever the fragile bonds of trust and love building between them.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆☆
Holy crap! I was hesitant with this book because the previous book was really wordy in my opinion, but I wanted to know what was on that jump drive and what really happened to Gabe. Let me tell you, I didn't want to put this book down! I was ticked when I had to stop reading and go to work! This book was awesome. I liked the storyline and loved how much Aiden and Jamie we got. Of course, the hot sex was good too! The story ends on a high note but with a bit of a cliffhanger. I seriously need the next book now!


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Five months on since we left our FBI pair and the story begins with a very hot scene between Aiden and Jamie. We quickly learn things have a changed a little between them and Aiden has pulled away emotionally. I was shocked. I was also pissed at Aiden and my desire smack him in the back of the head until he came to he senses was strong.

Terrorist Renaud is continuing to cause problems for our pair, and to keep them out of the line of fire, Aiden and Jamie are sent undercover to bust a sports betting/identity fraud ring. Jamie goes undercover as an assistant coach for a college basketball team, which puts his old life on a collision course with this new one. This, in turn, causes more issues between him and Aiden.

Cask Strength is a fantastic blend of crime fighting, heart pumping action, and heart squeezing emotion. I love crime solving mixed with relationship drama and this book has done it perfectly. An unexpected twist in the story has left me hanging for the next instalment of this series. I can't wait for more.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The second book in the series, the plot grows increasingly complicated as they prod the secrets surrounding Aiden’s husband’s and partner’s deaths. While that investigation runs through the whole series, this book focuses on an undercover assignment where Irish and Whiskey investigate an illegal sports betting ring.

The plot construction in these books is fantastic. This is a fast paced read with threads of several layered storylines running through it. I love the secrets, the tiny clues, and the way the author makes us suspicious of everyone.

The relationship between Aiden and Jamie is even more complicated in the second book. As work partners, they complement each other perfectly. I love the banter, the instinctive trust, and the generation gap. Their personal relationship is more complicated. Aiden insists on no-strings attached sex. Jamie wants to stay closeted. Neither man has much emotional intelligence. And in this book, Aiden isn’t the only one with an ex.

Jamie’s history as a famous ball player is at the heart of this book. The sports action adds a whole new layer of excitement to the series about gunrunners and FBI corruption. I enjoyed the college setting for this book and I loved the undercover element of the investigation.

I am completely hooked on this series and I can’t wait for the next book. These are such great stories!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is book two in the series, and thankfully, book three is not too far off publication, as there is a bit of a cliffhanger here. I really think you should read book one before you read this, as the story is ongoing.

Aiden and Jamie had succumbed to their attraction – but it is not appropriate given they are partnered FBI agents. This leads to an uncomfortable situation for both of them, which is incredibly frustrating to watch, but plays into the FBI plot. As in the first book, there is a top layer plot, which is interesting, with the Renaud terrorism angle flowing through it too.

As things start to become clearer in their private lives, the mystery surrounding Gabe may finally be resolved – but you will have to read to find out!

Also Available in the Agents Irish and Whiskey Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Single Malt post.

Love, Coast-to-Coast.

Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up surrounded by generations of Southern storytellers and at the knee of her soap-opera-loving grandmother (and her grandfather, too, though he’d never admit it), she began spinning tales of romance at an early age. Now writing romantic suspense and contemporary romance, Layla is inspired by her coast-to-coast experiences and delights in weaving elements of the people she’s met and places she’s been into her stories for readers everywhere to enjoy. Layla, a 2016 RWA Golden Heart® Award Finalist in Romantic Suspense, is a member of Romance Writers of America and its Silicon Valley, Kiss of Death, Golden Network and Rainbow Romance Writers chapters.

Connect with Layla

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Cask Strength (Agents Irish and Whiskey #2) by Layla Reyne to read and review.

Single Malt by Layla Reyne

Eight months after the car crash that changed everything, FBI agent Aidan Talley is back at work. New department, new case and a new partner. Smart, athletic and handsome, Jameson Walker is twelve years his junior. Even if Aidan was ready to move on—and he's not—Jamie is off-limits.

Jamie's lusted after Aidan for three years, and the chance to work with San Francisco's top agent directly is too good to pass up. Aidan is prickly—to put it mildly—but a growing cyber threat soon proves Jamie's skills invaluable.

Jamie's talents paint a target on his back, and Aidan is determined to protect him. But with hack after hack threatening a high-security biocontainment facility, time is running out to thwart a deadly terrorist attack. They'll have to filter out distractions, on the case and in their partnership, to identify the real enemy, solve the case and save thousands of lives, including their own.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I liked the characters in this book and their chemistry, but I found myself wanting more of Aidan and Jamie and less of the actual story. I thought there was more focus on the story than their relationship, which I am sure others love, but I wanted more of them and less of the other stuff. I found myself skimming some parts because of it. I did like the secondary characters and there is another book in the series, I think maybe two more and I will read them because I do want to find out what happens; I just wasn’t interested in the “suspense” part of the book as much as the relationship. I do want to know what happened to Aidan’s husband, which I am sure will be addressed in coming books.

Characters: Well written
Sex: Yes
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Yes
Genre: M/M Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Experienced FBI agent Aiden was in a car accident that killed his husband and his partner. Ready to go back to work, he is teamed up with younger agent Jamie, who is an IT wiz and a former basketball star.

I was in heaven reading Single Malt. Two intelligent, sexy guys partnered up to solve crime who are drawn to each other as they investigate security breaches in the IT systems of a bio-containment facility. Crime solving and romance combined always do it for me.

I want more. I want to watch the partners solve more crime, I want to learn more about the bigger picture, and I want to watch their relationship develop. I want more, more, more. Thankfully, book two, Cask Strength, isn't far away.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I loved this! The story of two slightly mismatched federal agents chasing down a bio-terror/cyber-terror threat in a story complete with double agents and moles is a pretty perfect read for me. The chemistry between Irish and Whiskey is wonderful and their investigation is well crafted and perfectly paced.

This is definitely a series that fans of Abigail Roux’s Cut and Run books will love, but these characters feel fresh and original. I loved the age gap between Aidan and Jamie. Jamie’s charm and cyber skills work brilliantly against Aidan’s surly traditional skillset. While the contrast between them is amusing, they complement each other perfectly.

The plot is layered here. While Aidan and Jamie chase the bio-terrorists in their current case, Aidan’s sister-in-law (and boss) is also using them to slowly unravel the mystery behind the murders of Aidan’s partner and husband. This is definitely the beginning of a complex series and I really enjoyed the way the plot has been pieced together so carefully. The action in this book is exciting and fast paced and the author challenges readers to pick up tiny clues alongside Irish and Whiskey.

This first book only scratches the surface of the bigger conspiracy and I am so excited to have a new series to obsess over. I can’t wait for the next installment!

Love, Coast-to-Coast.

Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up surrounded by generations of Southern storytellers and at the knee of her soap-opera-loving grandmother (and her grandfather, too, though he’d never admit it), she began spinning tales of romance at an early age. Now writing romantic suspense and contemporary romance, Layla is inspired by her coast-to-coast experiences and delights in weaving elements of the people she’s met and places she’s been into her stories for readers everywhere to enjoy. Layla, a 2016 RWA Golden Heart® Award Finalist in Romantic Suspense, is a member of Romance Writers of America and its Silicon Valley, Kiss of Death, Golden Network and Rainbow Romance Writers chapters.

Connect with Layla

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Single Malt (Agents Irish and Whiskey #1) by Layla Reyne to read and review.