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Fog City #5
Silent Knight
I won’t let anything happen to you.
Fourteen years ago, Braxton Kane’s feelings were forbidden.
As an officer, he couldn’t fall for an enlisted… no matter how much he longed for Holt Madigan.
Now—as a police chief in love with a digital assassin—his promise to always protect Holt is becoming harder to keep.
I’ll protect you.
Holt doesn’t understand why his best friend has been pushing him away for months.
But when Brax’s life and career are threatened, Holt refuses to allow the distance any longer.
The Madigans protect their own, and Brax is family, whether he believes it or not.
I won’t let anything happen to you either.
Forced together, Holt realizes his feelings for his best friend have changed.
His desire to explore the promise their single night together held is undeniable.
His resolve to protect the man who has always protected him is unshakable.
But if Holt wants a future with Brax, he’ll have to search and destroy the person who attacked him—before Brax activates the kill switch and sacrifices himself.
Love and devotion. Friendship and trust. Family. It all comes down to this. Holt and Kane, together at last, in the final book of the Fog City romantic suspense series.
Fourteen years ago, Braxton Kane’s feelings were forbidden.
As an officer, he couldn’t fall for an enlisted… no matter how much he longed for Holt Madigan.
Now—as a police chief in love with a digital assassin—his promise to always protect Holt is becoming harder to keep.
I’ll protect you.
Holt doesn’t understand why his best friend has been pushing him away for months.
But when Brax’s life and career are threatened, Holt refuses to allow the distance any longer.
The Madigans protect their own, and Brax is family, whether he believes it or not.
I won’t let anything happen to you either.
Forced together, Holt realizes his feelings for his best friend have changed.
His desire to explore the promise their single night together held is undeniable.
His resolve to protect the man who has always protected him is unshakable.
But if Holt wants a future with Brax, he’ll have to search and destroy the person who attacked him—before Brax activates the kill switch and sacrifices himself.
Love and devotion. Friendship and trust. Family. It all comes down to this. Holt and Kane, together at last, in the final book of the Fog City romantic suspense series.
296 pages, ebook
First published May 3, 2021
About the author
Layla Reyne
36 books995 followersLayla Reyne is the author of What We May Be and the Perfect Play, Fog City, and Agents Irish and Whiskey series. A Carolina Tar Heel who spent fifteen years in California, Layla enjoys weaving her bicoastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline fueled suspense and heart pounding romance.
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May 9, 2021It's really difficult for me to say this, but I won't rate this book... Simply because I have no friggin' clue how.
It started with me loving it, the story even was on its way to become my favorite and then... it lost me. Like completely. I couldn't follow the case, I'm not even sure there was one and I didn't feel the connection between Holt and Brax - something I was sooo looking forward to while reading the other books in this series. The sex scenes felt off somehow and overall there was too much telling and not enough showing. It felt rushed and not really thought through, or maybe this is just my disappointment speaking, I dunno.
Sorry for the rant, I'll stop now. I'm glad I finished it, though, because I'll still read the upcoming spin offs, high expectations be damned. *inserts pouty face*
It started with me loving it, the story even was on its way to become my favorite and then... it lost me. Like completely. I couldn't follow the case, I'm not even sure there was one and I didn't feel the connection between Holt and Brax - something I was sooo looking forward to while reading the other books in this series. The sex scenes felt off somehow and overall there was too much telling and not enough showing. It felt rushed and not really thought through, or maybe this is just my disappointment speaking, I dunno.
Sorry for the rant, I'll stop now. I'm glad I finished it, though, because I'll still read the upcoming spin offs, high expectations be damned. *inserts pouty face*
May 8, 2021
I'm sure this is a perfectly fine book.
But I simply couldn't get into it.
This is partly due to my current book hangover, and most likely to my present mood.
There are too many things that niggled me, including too many people from previous books I couldn't remember as it's been a while, too many acronyms and a romance that didn't really fill me with joy. And the plot felt too contrived. Not even a Jamie and Aidan ('Agents Irish and Whiskey') cameo could save this for me.
Most unfortunate for this book, the main thing I noted was that two of the characters here are called Tessa and Amelia (please see 'The Drake Chronicles' by Lauren Gilley which gave me said book-hangover)
I started skimming at 70% and rushed through to the end out of obligation.
None of this is the fault of the author or the characters.
Not for me, atm.
But I simply couldn't get into it.
This is partly due to my current book hangover, and most likely to my present mood.
There are too many things that niggled me, including too many people from previous books I couldn't remember as it's been a while, too many acronyms and a romance that didn't really fill me with joy. And the plot felt too contrived. Not even a Jamie and Aidan ('Agents Irish and Whiskey') cameo could save this for me.
Most unfortunate for this book, the main thing I noted was that two of the characters here are called Tessa and Amelia (please see 'The Drake Chronicles' by Lauren Gilley which gave me said book-hangover)
I started skimming at 70% and rushed through to the end out of obligation.
None of this is the fault of the author or the characters.
Not for me, atm.
April 20, 2021
Couldn't have been a more perfect ending to the Fog City series than this book.
***
There are a few authors I know I shouldn't start to read after 10pm at night because I simply will not be able to put their book down until I have finished it.
Layla Reyne is one of those authors and her Fog City series has been an exemplar lesson in why I know this fact.
Which is why I didn't get to sleep until gone 3.30am because I just couldn't tear myself away from this powerful example of the steadfastness of a real and unshakeable love.
Brax and Holt are everything which dreams are made of, a solid foundation of friendship which blossoms after hard trials into a love for the ages, a relationship which isn't perfect but which is absolutely right for the two men at the heart of it.
The premise at the heart of this series has been about family. How they are the ones you can rely on, but also the ones who can wound you the deepest.
Each of the Madigan siblings has gone through the mill to reach their happy ending, Holt's perhaps being the hardest because he thought he'd already found it with his ex-wife Amelia.
And, speaking of, her actions here both broke my heart at the selflessness she shows, and also made me want to envelop her in the biggest hug possible, because she also goes through her own journey in coming to terms with events in the previous books.
This is a suspense series, so of course the main thrust of the narrative surrounds the team trying to find out who is targeting Brax in his role as Chief of Police. But we also get to discover why Brax has bent the rules whenever he can for the Madigans in a series of flashbacks which form the first part of the book.
For me it was an inspired decision, Layla gives us Braxton's POV for the first time and we get into the heart of his devotion. He fell for Holt the second the 20-year-old scared Private First Class stepped off the transport plane out in the warzone deserts and his love never wavered.
Such devotion is hard to write without making the character look like a sad sack but it is done here with such skill that you will fall for Holt too as you see him grow through Brax's eyes.
Holt's demisexuality is also brilliantly explored and we finally get to see the one night they spent together before life took them in different directions after Holt's discharge. It's beautiful in both the level of trust given and in the heartbreaking knowledge that almost a decade has passed since those feelings were given free rein between the two.
Honestly, I could rhapsodise about this book for hours because I have been waiting for Brax and Holt's story almost since page one of Prince of Killers and I was trying not to have unrealistic expectations for their story.
But my faith was as solid as Brax's and it was rewarded with a masterclass in how to interweave a romance with a suspense plot that drives a narrative pace which has your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping from beginning to the very happy end.
As for all the Easter Egg appearances of some of my absolute favourite characters of all time (read Layla's Whiskeyverse series' if you haven't yet because they're exceptional!), they just added the icing onto a truly perfect cake.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Valentine PR in return for an honest and unbiased review
***
There are a few authors I know I shouldn't start to read after 10pm at night because I simply will not be able to put their book down until I have finished it.
Layla Reyne is one of those authors and her Fog City series has been an exemplar lesson in why I know this fact.
Which is why I didn't get to sleep until gone 3.30am because I just couldn't tear myself away from this powerful example of the steadfastness of a real and unshakeable love.
Brax and Holt are everything which dreams are made of, a solid foundation of friendship which blossoms after hard trials into a love for the ages, a relationship which isn't perfect but which is absolutely right for the two men at the heart of it.
The premise at the heart of this series has been about family. How they are the ones you can rely on, but also the ones who can wound you the deepest.
Each of the Madigan siblings has gone through the mill to reach their happy ending, Holt's perhaps being the hardest because he thought he'd already found it with his ex-wife Amelia.
And, speaking of, her actions here both broke my heart at the selflessness she shows, and also made me want to envelop her in the biggest hug possible, because she also goes through her own journey in coming to terms with events in the previous books.
This is a suspense series, so of course the main thrust of the narrative surrounds the team trying to find out who is targeting Brax in his role as Chief of Police. But we also get to discover why Brax has bent the rules whenever he can for the Madigans in a series of flashbacks which form the first part of the book.
For me it was an inspired decision, Layla gives us Braxton's POV for the first time and we get into the heart of his devotion. He fell for Holt the second the 20-year-old scared Private First Class stepped off the transport plane out in the warzone deserts and his love never wavered.
Such devotion is hard to write without making the character look like a sad sack but it is done here with such skill that you will fall for Holt too as you see him grow through Brax's eyes.
Holt's demisexuality is also brilliantly explored and we finally get to see the one night they spent together before life took them in different directions after Holt's discharge. It's beautiful in both the level of trust given and in the heartbreaking knowledge that almost a decade has passed since those feelings were given free rein between the two.
Honestly, I could rhapsodise about this book for hours because I have been waiting for Brax and Holt's story almost since page one of Prince of Killers and I was trying not to have unrealistic expectations for their story.
But my faith was as solid as Brax's and it was rewarded with a masterclass in how to interweave a romance with a suspense plot that drives a narrative pace which has your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping from beginning to the very happy end.
As for all the Easter Egg appearances of some of my absolute favourite characters of all time (read Layla's Whiskeyverse series' if you haven't yet because they're exceptional!), they just added the icing onto a truly perfect cake.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Valentine PR in return for an honest and unbiased review
May 14, 2021
This book came after being edged and teased for four books. The result? I feel cheated. 😭
I’ve been mooning over Brax and Holt clearly pining and yearning for each other for the whole series. Their UST was unreal. I expected fireworks and sizzle and aggressive, claiming kisses. Instead...it just kind of happened and it was fine I guess. Maybe I built them up in my head too much. Who knows. But I felt lukewarm and meh and sad.
The thing about this author’s books is that the non romance parts of the plots can get kind of crazy and too action filled. They start to become overly complex and not make sense. I saw this in the first three books of this series and in the Irish and Whiskey series as well. But the romance, for me, in those was so well done that I powered through the other parts and enjoyed the ride. Because this one was missing that sizzle element, I really struggled to get through the nonsensical aspects that I typically ignore. Not even a cameo from Irish and Whiskey themselves could appease me.
😔
I’ve been mooning over Brax and Holt clearly pining and yearning for each other for the whole series. Their UST was unreal. I expected fireworks and sizzle and aggressive, claiming kisses. Instead...it just kind of happened and it was fine I guess. Maybe I built them up in my head too much. Who knows. But I felt lukewarm and meh and sad.
The thing about this author’s books is that the non romance parts of the plots can get kind of crazy and too action filled. They start to become overly complex and not make sense. I saw this in the first three books of this series and in the Irish and Whiskey series as well. But the romance, for me, in those was so well done that I powered through the other parts and enjoyed the ride. Because this one was missing that sizzle element, I really struggled to get through the nonsensical aspects that I typically ignore. Not even a cameo from Irish and Whiskey themselves could appease me.
😔
May 7, 2021
3.5 stars
3 Stars for Part 1:
Part 1 was Brax's POV. I did not feel any kind of tension between Brax and Holt in part 1. If anything, Brax was being pervy and kind of creepy (at least at first). As time went on, I felt their friendship, but still nothing else, really. Even their night together felt like trust more than intimacy.
4 Starts for Part 2:
Part 2 was Holt's POV. I liked this better. It was back in the present tense and the tension I remembered from the previous novels was back (YAY). We still get a slow burn and at least one very stubborn MC.
The ending was perfect. Just what I wanted, so I rounded up.
All in all, I enjoyed Silent Knight. It was a worthy series end.
3 Stars for Part 1:
Part 1 was Brax's POV. I did not feel any kind of tension between Brax and Holt in part 1. If anything, Brax was being pervy and kind of creepy (at least at first). As time went on, I felt their friendship, but still nothing else, really. Even their night together felt like trust more than intimacy.
4 Starts for Part 2:
Part 2 was Holt's POV. I liked this better. It was back in the present tense and the tension I remembered from the previous novels was back (YAY). We still get a slow burn and at least one very stubborn MC.
The ending was perfect. Just what I wanted, so I rounded up.
All in all, I enjoyed Silent Knight. It was a worthy series end.
April 17, 2021
Silent Knight exceeded my expectations on every level. The way Layla edged us during Fog City and Queen’s Ransom was a thing of beauty. And boy did she deliver! The emotional connection between Holt and Brax was just beautiful and the chemistry was off the charts. As always with her books, the action scenes were stellar and exciting and the mysteries are complicated and intriguing. Nobody tell Nick and Cam but Holt and Brax are my new faves. One of the things I love about Layla’s writing is how she packs such a wallop in very few words. That’s so hard to do.
I refuse to give spoilers but the way she revealed Holt’s and Brax’s history was masterful. She had a lot of ground to cover but it never felt bogged down. She never skimped on the emotion and every scene was vital to the story. And what a picture she painted with her words. I highly recommend this book!
I refuse to give spoilers but the way she revealed Holt’s and Brax’s history was masterful. She had a lot of ground to cover but it never felt bogged down. She never skimped on the emotion and every scene was vital to the story. And what a picture she painted with her words. I highly recommend this book!
April 16, 2021
HOLY FUCKING ANGST BALLS, BATMAN. This book has watered my crops, cleared my skin, and reminded my heart what love means.
Actual review to come later, when I recover.
FULL REVIEW
I have enjoyed every one of the books in the Fog City series. Hawes and Chris took us on a roller coaster as the new Madigan empire formed. Helena and Celia's efforts to follow their hearts left us melting (from the emotions and the hot moments between them).
And then there's Holt and Brax.
I have been champing at the bit for this book from the first moment these two were on the page together in PRINCE OF KILLERS (ahem...mentioned together on page at 21% of the book, but first heart-warming interaction at 34%). The ease between these two men and their unshakeable friendship (and glorious, affectionate tension) was a mystery I hoped Reyne would expose to us, and this book is the culmination of all that reader longing.
So here's the thing ... the structure of this book is a mirror to the emotional journey happening. There is no one way for authors to write demi characters since the spectrum is so beautifully varied. I couldn't wait to see how Reyne showed us Holt's heart.
I didn't realize until halfway through the book, when the POV switches from Brax to Holt, that she'd been doing that all along.
Starting the novel in Brax's POV means we are privy to his emotions, his thoughts, his fulfilling love for Holt, from the very beginning. We fall for the man just as hard as Brax does, and by the time the POV switches, we're desperate to see the moment Holt realizes he feels the same.
It was a brilliant narrative choice. When we finally enter Holt's POV, we are in the same emotional place he is. His slow path to rekindling what he and Brax could have had makes perfect sense to us because we've already seen it in a different time and place through Brax's eyes. We have grown to love how Holt loves, and it makes the payoff of this final FOG CITY novel all the sweeter.
There are so many things I could focus on that I loved about this book. Amelia's role, seeing the Madigans find happiness, celebrating Brax discovering the role he wants to take in his future ... all of these things help tie up the conclusion of the series. But in the end, it's the time and care Reyne puts into crafting Brax and Holt's love story that makes me return to this book again and again.
Actual review to come later, when I recover.
FULL REVIEW
I have enjoyed every one of the books in the Fog City series. Hawes and Chris took us on a roller coaster as the new Madigan empire formed. Helena and Celia's efforts to follow their hearts left us melting (from the emotions and the hot moments between them).
And then there's Holt and Brax.
I have been champing at the bit for this book from the first moment these two were on the page together in PRINCE OF KILLERS (ahem...mentioned together on page at 21% of the book, but first heart-warming interaction at 34%). The ease between these two men and their unshakeable friendship (and glorious, affectionate tension) was a mystery I hoped Reyne would expose to us, and this book is the culmination of all that reader longing.
So here's the thing ... the structure of this book is a mirror to the emotional journey happening. There is no one way for authors to write demi characters since the spectrum is so beautifully varied. I couldn't wait to see how Reyne showed us Holt's heart.
I didn't realize until halfway through the book, when the POV switches from Brax to Holt, that she'd been doing that all along.
Starting the novel in Brax's POV means we are privy to his emotions, his thoughts, his fulfilling love for Holt, from the very beginning. We fall for the man just as hard as Brax does, and by the time the POV switches, we're desperate to see the moment Holt realizes he feels the same.
It was a brilliant narrative choice. When we finally enter Holt's POV, we are in the same emotional place he is. His slow path to rekindling what he and Brax could have had makes perfect sense to us because we've already seen it in a different time and place through Brax's eyes. We have grown to love how Holt loves, and it makes the payoff of this final FOG CITY novel all the sweeter.
There are so many things I could focus on that I loved about this book. Amelia's role, seeing the Madigans find happiness, celebrating Brax discovering the role he wants to take in his future ... all of these things help tie up the conclusion of the series. But in the end, it's the time and care Reyne puts into crafting Brax and Holt's love story that makes me return to this book again and again.
April 26, 2021
The fifth installment in this series finally sees Holt and Brax's romance. I was excited to dive into this and see their romance.
The first part was excellent, definitely a 5 star read for me. I loved the set up their romance. The friendship as their foundation for love. Seeing as Holt is demisexual, there had to be that strong foundation for the love to come.
And it says something of how strong their love is for how long Brax waited for Holt. Their love story truly does span over 14 years before they truly get together.
Seeing how they fell in love was amazing, even though Holt doesn't realize he's in love with Brax for the longest time. And seeing the missed opportunities for more between them sucked, although in the end they do get Lily, Holt's daughter in the end, which makes the wait worth it to them. Who is totally also Brax's daughter as well, lbr.
But the second part dragged a little for me. I wasn't a fan of how much it focused on the plot and less on these two. I was frustrated when these two were barely having any scenes. I don't know why SO much was focused on plot and what was going on with Brax and such and so much less on them and their romance.
I know their love story was happening for 14 years, but Holt *was* married to someone else for years and all, so I would have liked to see a better, more detailed transition from these two being in that best friend zone into lovers. And also once they did get there I just wanted more scenes with them. Not even necessarily sex scenes - although more than 3 in the entire book would have been nice - but just scenes with them being together and in love. I didn't feel we got enough of that. Hence rounding down to 4 stars.
Also added to that was the ending, which
So because of those two main frustrations, the second have of this book was more a 3 star read for me. Still strong moments in that second half, still interesting at times, but it just was missing something that the first half wasn't - which is basically the lack of Holt and Brax time we get on page. It was so unsatisfying to get so much less with them when all I wanted was more. I loved these two together, I enjoyed them so much, so to get less after falling in love with them in the first part? Definitely lowered my enjoyment of this.
So it evens out to 4 stars for me. A strong first half, a fairly weaker second half. Which is not even the main couple's fault, Holt and Brax continued to be awesome, it was just their story in the second half almost taking a back seat to the plot, which I didn't care for as much as them.
Also, I didn't read the fourth book in this series, and I don't think I was missing too much - except, apparently, Hawes and Chris' wedding - so if you also didn't read the 4th book and skipped to this one, then don't worry about missing anything too important in order to read this one.
So overall, a solid 5th installment, and I absolutely loved these two together. But a, in my opinion, disappointing second half overall, doesn't make this a perfect read, and it could have been better. Still a solid read, and Holt and Brax are perfect together, and perfect for each other.
Would still recommend, definitely.
***ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
The first part was excellent, definitely a 5 star read for me. I loved the set up their romance. The friendship as their foundation for love. Seeing as Holt is demisexual, there had to be that strong foundation for the love to come.
And it says something of how strong their love is for how long Brax waited for Holt. Their love story truly does span over 14 years before they truly get together.
Seeing how they fell in love was amazing, even though Holt doesn't realize he's in love with Brax for the longest time. And seeing the missed opportunities for more between them sucked, although in the end they do get Lily, Holt's daughter in the end, which makes the wait worth it to them. Who is totally also Brax's daughter as well, lbr.
But the second part dragged a little for me. I wasn't a fan of how much it focused on the plot and less on these two. I was frustrated when these two were barely having any scenes. I don't know why SO much was focused on plot and what was going on with Brax and such and so much less on them and their romance.
I know their love story was happening for 14 years, but Holt *was* married to someone else for years and all, so I would have liked to see a better, more detailed transition from these two being in that best friend zone into lovers. And also once they did get there I just wanted more scenes with them. Not even necessarily sex scenes - although more than 3 in the entire book would have been nice - but just scenes with them being together and in love. I didn't feel we got enough of that. Hence rounding down to 4 stars.
Also added to that was the ending, which
So because of those two main frustrations, the second have of this book was more a 3 star read for me. Still strong moments in that second half, still interesting at times, but it just was missing something that the first half wasn't - which is basically the lack of Holt and Brax time we get on page. It was so unsatisfying to get so much less with them when all I wanted was more. I loved these two together, I enjoyed them so much, so to get less after falling in love with them in the first part? Definitely lowered my enjoyment of this.
So it evens out to 4 stars for me. A strong first half, a fairly weaker second half. Which is not even the main couple's fault, Holt and Brax continued to be awesome, it was just their story in the second half almost taking a back seat to the plot, which I didn't care for as much as them.
Also, I didn't read the fourth book in this series, and I don't think I was missing too much - except, apparently, Hawes and Chris' wedding - so if you also didn't read the 4th book and skipped to this one, then don't worry about missing anything too important in order to read this one.
So overall, a solid 5th installment, and I absolutely loved these two together. But a, in my opinion, disappointing second half overall, doesn't make this a perfect read, and it could have been better. Still a solid read, and Holt and Brax are perfect together, and perfect for each other.
Would still recommend, definitely.
***ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
June 7, 2022
Five stars doesn't begin to convey how good this book was. I finished it in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. I loved every book in this series but this one was diffidently the best and of course it was saved for last. It’s the romance that makes this book so perfect. Holt Madigan is the best of the Madigan siblings. He would burn the world down for Braxton Kane and Braxton would will do the same for him. Their book starts at the very beginning, when 20- year old Holt steps off a tarmac in Afghanistan and Brax’s world starts to spin on a delicate new axis. There are several good reasons for them not to be together, but there are also great reasons for them to be together. Just when it seems like the good reasons are going to win, everything... well you'll just have to read it to see. Brax and Holt's story was almost 14 years in the coming but WHAT A STORY IT IS! This is not a standalone and the books should be read in order...which believe it or not I managed to actually do:)
November 23, 2021
If you want a series to get your teeth into, this is the one. This final book is a fast paced addition, with top notch writing and more larger than life characters. I'd waited a while for Holt and Brax's story, and I was not disappointed. Their story was everything I'd hoped for and more.
It rounded up the whole Fog City series which, at its heart, has been about relationships and connections all beautifully wrapped up in a tense thriller. The story continuity worked really well too, and one of the strengths of the book for me, was all the characters from Ms Reyne's past books making an appearance, and making a difference to the plot.
I love a book that can capture both the action and the emotion of the characters, and the writing in this one succeeds brilliantly. I've loved Holt throughout the series, and by the end of his story, I loved him more. He has so many layers, to his character, the way they were peeled away and revealed was masterful. And Brax, well, he's just dreamy throughout. The pair really are a match made in heaven.
A great read, hoping it's not the last we've seen of this lot, thankfully the story seemed to leave things open for further adventures.
It rounded up the whole Fog City series which, at its heart, has been about relationships and connections all beautifully wrapped up in a tense thriller. The story continuity worked really well too, and one of the strengths of the book for me, was all the characters from Ms Reyne's past books making an appearance, and making a difference to the plot.
I love a book that can capture both the action and the emotion of the characters, and the writing in this one succeeds brilliantly. I've loved Holt throughout the series, and by the end of his story, I loved him more. He has so many layers, to his character, the way they were peeled away and revealed was masterful. And Brax, well, he's just dreamy throughout. The pair really are a match made in heaven.
A great read, hoping it's not the last we've seen of this lot, thankfully the story seemed to leave things open for further adventures.
May 1, 2021
This is the 5th book in Fog City and I don't think you can read it without having read at least the first 3. You could probably easily skip the 4th since not a lot happens in that books that effects the overall story line. From the very beginning their was just something about Brax that I loved and felt a bit sorry for. I always wondered how he ended up being a police captain in love with a criminal. I couldn't wait to get to their book.
The first part of this book is done in Brax's POV and takes place years earlier when Brax meets Holt when he enlists in the military. We get to see the relationship grow and the strong friendship that sprouts between these two. Some readers may think the flashback goes on way to long - it's a little more than 1/3 of the book but for me it was perfect! It gives us the history between Brax and Holt and explains so much about how Brax ended up as a police captain involved with someone from a criminal family. It also gives us that foundation for the relationship which is very important since Holt is demisexual. We see him figure that out and how it effects him and how he ended up married even though we (readers) know how much he loves Brax.
Their love story spans 14 years and their is so much UST and heartbreak for Brax that I couldn't wait for him to get his happy ending. The first part of this book was a 5 star read for me!
The second part unfortunately revolved more around the plot and who was after Brax. I pretty much knew who was pulling the strings from the beginning so I was interested to see how it would all be resolved BUT I wanted more on the relationship side between Brax and Holt. They just don't get enough page time together IMO and I wanted to really see the transition from best friends to lovers. It felt a bit rushed so that we could get back to the plot and tie everything up in a pretty bow.
Finally, the epilogue was VERY frustrating for me. It skipped past about a year and and had a scene with Mel and Brax. Holt wasn't even in the epilogue! It really felt like it was a scene purely to generate interest in a spin off series. I'll read a spin off series but I don't need an epilogue to do that - I want a sweet, romantic epilogue between Brax and Holt (especially since they didn't get a lot of that in this book). If you want to plug a spin off (and I'm not 100% sure that's what this was about just my thoughts) then after the scene after the epilogue with Brax and Holt.
Overall I loved the way the story tied up the loose ends, I loved the beginning of the book, and of course I loved seeing Brax and Holt get their happy ending. So 4 stars overall since I was just a bit disappointed with how much page time the relationship got in the second half of the book.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
The first part of this book is done in Brax's POV and takes place years earlier when Brax meets Holt when he enlists in the military. We get to see the relationship grow and the strong friendship that sprouts between these two. Some readers may think the flashback goes on way to long - it's a little more than 1/3 of the book but for me it was perfect! It gives us the history between Brax and Holt and explains so much about how Brax ended up as a police captain involved with someone from a criminal family. It also gives us that foundation for the relationship which is very important since Holt is demisexual. We see him figure that out and how it effects him and how he ended up married even though we (readers) know how much he loves Brax.
Their love story spans 14 years and their is so much UST and heartbreak for Brax that I couldn't wait for him to get his happy ending. The first part of this book was a 5 star read for me!
The second part unfortunately revolved more around the plot and who was after Brax. I pretty much knew who was pulling the strings from the beginning so I was interested to see how it would all be resolved BUT I wanted more on the relationship side between Brax and Holt. They just don't get enough page time together IMO and I wanted to really see the transition from best friends to lovers. It felt a bit rushed so that we could get back to the plot and tie everything up in a pretty bow.
Finally, the epilogue was VERY frustrating for me. It skipped past about a year and and had a scene with Mel and Brax. Holt wasn't even in the epilogue! It really felt like it was a scene purely to generate interest in a spin off series. I'll read a spin off series but I don't need an epilogue to do that - I want a sweet, romantic epilogue between Brax and Holt (especially since they didn't get a lot of that in this book). If you want to plug a spin off (and I'm not 100% sure that's what this was about just my thoughts) then after the scene after the epilogue with Brax and Holt.
Overall I loved the way the story tied up the loose ends, I loved the beginning of the book, and of course I loved seeing Brax and Holt get their happy ending. So 4 stars overall since I was just a bit disappointed with how much page time the relationship got in the second half of the book.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
June 12, 2021
I've given this a C at AAR.
NOTE: This review contains spoilers for the previous books in the series.
Layla Reyne’s Fog City series was originally a trilogy – or perhaps more accurately, one story in three parts – that featured the three Madigan siblings, the heirs to one of the most powerful organised crime families in the Bay Area of San Francisco. When the family patriarch and head of the business – their grandfather – dies after a long illness, Hawes Madigan – the eldest – steps into the role he’s been groomed for, but his decisions to turn away from some of the more illegal aspects of their work and towards more legitimate business interests aren’t popular, and the trilogy deals with uncovering and foiling the plot to bring him down. On the way, Hawes falls in love with Chris Perri (formerly an undercover ATF agent), and we’re introduced to a typically large secondary cast, which includes Hawes’ twin Holt, their sister Helena and various other operatives and villains. Among that cast is the character of Braxton Kane, Chief of SFPD, who was in the army with Holt over a decade earlier – and although Holt is married with a young daughter, it was very clear throughout the trilogy that there was something bubbling along between them that was considerably more than friendship. (And no, there’s no cheating involved.)
The relationship between Holt and Brax intrigued me (I do love me some yearning and UST) and I had hopes that maybe Ms. Reyne would write a story for them; and she did. Silent Knight is it.
It’s a book of two halves. The first, in Brax’s PoV, tells the story of how he and Holt met in the army and follows them in a series of vignettes (eight in total) over a period of some fourteen years, and then we get Holt’s PoV in the present day suspense storyline.
I was pleased to get their backstory, but OMG, it contains probably the worst case of Love at First Sight I’ve ever read, when Holt steps off the transport plane in Afghanistan and Brax – his captain – takes one look at the young, redheaded, fucking beautiful – and so off fucking limits – man and vows never to let anything happen to him:
He’d do whatever it took to make sure this soldier walked back up that ramp and made it home when his tour was over.
– before he’s so much as spoken to him. I mean – seriously? Holt could have been a complete dickhead for all he knew – or straight, or both. We do get to see some relationship development across the years (although not much, as each vignette is basically a snapshot of a single day) but I just couldn’t get past a thirty-six year-old career soldier thinking like a teenaged girl. (With apologies to teenaged girls everywhere.)
We follow the two men through Holt returning home after his tour, Brax completing his twenty years and going to take up a post with Boston PD, Holt falling in love (with a woman) and getting married, and Brax finally moving to SF a few years later to become assistant Chief of Police. It’s here that he finally learns the truth about Holt’s family – and even though he’s horribly torn, he still stands by his determination never to let anything bad happen to Holt if he can help it. (If you’ve read the Fog City series, you’ll know that Brax walks a fine line, but never falls on the wrong side of it.)
When the narrative switches to Holt’s PoV, we’re in the present day, a few months after the plot to oust (and kill) Hawes was foiled, and for reasons Holt can’t fathom, Brax is trying to put some distance between them; reasons which become apparent when it emerges that someone is out to discredit Brax and strike at the family through him. With IA called in to investigate the allegations, Brax wants to keep Holt as far away from him as possible, so as not to put him and his daughter in any danger. Of course, Holt is having none of it – Brax is family, and the Madigans look after their own. Helena and Hawes (and their partners) are on board, too – they all know how Brax feels about Holt and how Holt feels about Brax even if Holt hasn’t quite worked it out yet.
But readable though it is, Silent Knight is plagued by the same problems and inconsistencies that have beset a number of Ms. Reyne’s recent books, and indeed, the other books in this series. I like the characters and the relationships between them; the Madigans are a close-knit family and there’s no question there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for one another. Ms. Reyne is also very skilled at creating a slick, fast-paced, action-filled story that feels like an action movie in book format; they’re filled with super hawt, super clever characters who are incredibly good at what they do, and things move at a dizzying speed. But there’s a serious over-reliance on technology – each of her series/books has one or more genius hacker characters who can do pretty much ANYTHING with just a few keystrokes – and that started feeling like a major cop-out a few books ago. (The exception to this is her recent standalone Variable Onset, which is one of her best books to date.)
When it comes to inconsistencies – apart from the Love at First Sight thing, I just couldn’t get my head around the fact that Amelia – Holt’s ex-wife who is in prison for her part in the plot against the family – is able to help out by doing a bit of complicated hacking FROM THE COMPUTERS IN THE PRISON. I mean – what?! Most of the hacking stuff goes right over my head and I kind of zone out until it’s finished, but that? Made no sense to me.
The romance is… well, Brax has been in love with Holt for years, but it seems Holt hasn’t recognised his feelings for what they are (and have always been), so really there’s not a great deal of romantic development as these two have been in love for ages. And, as has also been the case in previous books, the dialogue in the sex scenes strays dangerously close to the line between hot and funny-for-the-wrong-reasons. The author is going for intensity but some of the things these characters say to each other makes me want to cringe. The prose might not quite be purple, but the overblown nature of the sentiment certainly is.
I keep thinking that maybe it’s time I called it quits and stopped reading Layla Reyne’s books – and then she comes out with something as good as Variable Onset and I’m sucked back in, hoping for something else of that calibre from her.
To sum up – if you enjoyed the other Fog City books, chances are you’ll enjoy this one, but if, like me you like a coherent plot that doesn’t rely too heavily on technological deus ex machina and a romance that doesn’t make you want to roll your eyes so hard they hurt, then maybe this won’t be the book for you. Bonus points for cameos from characters from the Whiskeyverse aren’t really enough for me to be able to rate this one above the average.
NOTE: This review contains spoilers for the previous books in the series.
Layla Reyne’s Fog City series was originally a trilogy – or perhaps more accurately, one story in three parts – that featured the three Madigan siblings, the heirs to one of the most powerful organised crime families in the Bay Area of San Francisco. When the family patriarch and head of the business – their grandfather – dies after a long illness, Hawes Madigan – the eldest – steps into the role he’s been groomed for, but his decisions to turn away from some of the more illegal aspects of their work and towards more legitimate business interests aren’t popular, and the trilogy deals with uncovering and foiling the plot to bring him down. On the way, Hawes falls in love with Chris Perri (formerly an undercover ATF agent), and we’re introduced to a typically large secondary cast, which includes Hawes’ twin Holt, their sister Helena and various other operatives and villains. Among that cast is the character of Braxton Kane, Chief of SFPD, who was in the army with Holt over a decade earlier – and although Holt is married with a young daughter, it was very clear throughout the trilogy that there was something bubbling along between them that was considerably more than friendship. (And no, there’s no cheating involved.)
The relationship between Holt and Brax intrigued me (I do love me some yearning and UST) and I had hopes that maybe Ms. Reyne would write a story for them; and she did. Silent Knight is it.
It’s a book of two halves. The first, in Brax’s PoV, tells the story of how he and Holt met in the army and follows them in a series of vignettes (eight in total) over a period of some fourteen years, and then we get Holt’s PoV in the present day suspense storyline.
I was pleased to get their backstory, but OMG, it contains probably the worst case of Love at First Sight I’ve ever read, when Holt steps off the transport plane in Afghanistan and Brax – his captain – takes one look at the young, redheaded, fucking beautiful – and so off fucking limits – man and vows never to let anything happen to him:
He’d do whatever it took to make sure this soldier walked back up that ramp and made it home when his tour was over.
– before he’s so much as spoken to him. I mean – seriously? Holt could have been a complete dickhead for all he knew – or straight, or both. We do get to see some relationship development across the years (although not much, as each vignette is basically a snapshot of a single day) but I just couldn’t get past a thirty-six year-old career soldier thinking like a teenaged girl. (With apologies to teenaged girls everywhere.)
We follow the two men through Holt returning home after his tour, Brax completing his twenty years and going to take up a post with Boston PD, Holt falling in love (with a woman) and getting married, and Brax finally moving to SF a few years later to become assistant Chief of Police. It’s here that he finally learns the truth about Holt’s family – and even though he’s horribly torn, he still stands by his determination never to let anything bad happen to Holt if he can help it. (If you’ve read the Fog City series, you’ll know that Brax walks a fine line, but never falls on the wrong side of it.)
When the narrative switches to Holt’s PoV, we’re in the present day, a few months after the plot to oust (and kill) Hawes was foiled, and for reasons Holt can’t fathom, Brax is trying to put some distance between them; reasons which become apparent when it emerges that someone is out to discredit Brax and strike at the family through him. With IA called in to investigate the allegations, Brax wants to keep Holt as far away from him as possible, so as not to put him and his daughter in any danger. Of course, Holt is having none of it – Brax is family, and the Madigans look after their own. Helena and Hawes (and their partners) are on board, too – they all know how Brax feels about Holt and how Holt feels about Brax even if Holt hasn’t quite worked it out yet.
But readable though it is, Silent Knight is plagued by the same problems and inconsistencies that have beset a number of Ms. Reyne’s recent books, and indeed, the other books in this series. I like the characters and the relationships between them; the Madigans are a close-knit family and there’s no question there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for one another. Ms. Reyne is also very skilled at creating a slick, fast-paced, action-filled story that feels like an action movie in book format; they’re filled with super hawt, super clever characters who are incredibly good at what they do, and things move at a dizzying speed. But there’s a serious over-reliance on technology – each of her series/books has one or more genius hacker characters who can do pretty much ANYTHING with just a few keystrokes – and that started feeling like a major cop-out a few books ago. (The exception to this is her recent standalone Variable Onset, which is one of her best books to date.)
When it comes to inconsistencies – apart from the Love at First Sight thing, I just couldn’t get my head around the fact that Amelia – Holt’s ex-wife who is in prison for her part in the plot against the family – is able to help out by doing a bit of complicated hacking FROM THE COMPUTERS IN THE PRISON. I mean – what?! Most of the hacking stuff goes right over my head and I kind of zone out until it’s finished, but that? Made no sense to me.
The romance is… well, Brax has been in love with Holt for years, but it seems Holt hasn’t recognised his feelings for what they are (and have always been), so really there’s not a great deal of romantic development as these two have been in love for ages. And, as has also been the case in previous books, the dialogue in the sex scenes strays dangerously close to the line between hot and funny-for-the-wrong-reasons. The author is going for intensity but some of the things these characters say to each other makes me want to cringe. The prose might not quite be purple, but the overblown nature of the sentiment certainly is.
I keep thinking that maybe it’s time I called it quits and stopped reading Layla Reyne’s books – and then she comes out with something as good as Variable Onset and I’m sucked back in, hoping for something else of that calibre from her.
To sum up – if you enjoyed the other Fog City books, chances are you’ll enjoy this one, but if, like me you like a coherent plot that doesn’t rely too heavily on technological deus ex machina and a romance that doesn’t make you want to roll your eyes so hard they hurt, then maybe this won’t be the book for you. Bonus points for cameos from characters from the Whiskeyverse aren’t really enough for me to be able to rate this one above the average.
April 12, 2021
** 4.25 stars **
I always wondered what kept Brax loyal to the Madigans even though they were always on the opposite sides of the law. It was such strong love that defied time, distance and war. I suspected that character of Brax was more than just a police chief who was friendly and easy going. He is deep, loyal, steadfast and so brave. I really liked the first part of the book told from Brax's POV(FYI, the second part was Holt's POV). It was like a punch in the gut. The bond that Brax formed with Holt in the beginning was the guiding star for both men in their darkest moments of their lives.
Holt has gone through many changes from the scared traumatized young man to the wicked smart hacker to be reckoned with. I liked that the author explored Holt's demisexuality and wrote his character very well. That said I at times felt that Brax was left hanging too many times. I know it was his choice to be what Holt needed at any given moment, but I hurt for him every time his heart was broken which was too many times to count.
As this was the last book in the series, the author really tied up loose ends. I wanted to love the tension created by the author but the identity of the villain and how the Madigans dealt with them was underwhelming and a tad predictable. I hoped for something more spectacular considering that we were saying goodbye this time around. In that regards I was disappointed.
But the relationship between two men was absolutely beautiful - so heartfelt and with so much devotion. It might have taken them many years to get there but the wait was finally over, and Brax gave Holt everything he was, but at the same time Holt finally took care of Brax like he deserved. Dual POVs, mid level suspense, heat level 2.5 out of 5 and no stone left unturned. Some characters from Trouble Brewing and Agents Irish and Whiskey made cameo appearances. Nevertheless I am very glad that I went on the journey to meet and get to know the wild Madigans. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review.
I always wondered what kept Brax loyal to the Madigans even though they were always on the opposite sides of the law. It was such strong love that defied time, distance and war. I suspected that character of Brax was more than just a police chief who was friendly and easy going. He is deep, loyal, steadfast and so brave. I really liked the first part of the book told from Brax's POV(FYI, the second part was Holt's POV). It was like a punch in the gut. The bond that Brax formed with Holt in the beginning was the guiding star for both men in their darkest moments of their lives.
Holt has gone through many changes from the scared traumatized young man to the wicked smart hacker to be reckoned with. I liked that the author explored Holt's demisexuality and wrote his character very well. That said I at times felt that Brax was left hanging too many times. I know it was his choice to be what Holt needed at any given moment, but I hurt for him every time his heart was broken which was too many times to count.
As this was the last book in the series, the author really tied up loose ends. I wanted to love the tension created by the author but the identity of the villain and how the Madigans dealt with them was underwhelming and a tad predictable. I hoped for something more spectacular considering that we were saying goodbye this time around. In that regards I was disappointed.
But the relationship between two men was absolutely beautiful - so heartfelt and with so much devotion. It might have taken them many years to get there but the wait was finally over, and Brax gave Holt everything he was, but at the same time Holt finally took care of Brax like he deserved. Dual POVs, mid level suspense, heat level 2.5 out of 5 and no stone left unturned. Some characters from Trouble Brewing and Agents Irish and Whiskey made cameo appearances. Nevertheless I am very glad that I went on the journey to meet and get to know the wild Madigans. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review.
April 22, 2021
*Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
This 5th book in the Fog City series is about Braxton Kane, a former Army Officer who is now an police chief and Holt Madigan, a former enlisted man who worked under Barx, and is part of a family of assassins'. Brax is 16 years older than Holt and he has always been hesitant to push for more.
Brax has carried a torch for Holt for 14 years, and except for one night before their lives went separate ways, they have been "just friends". They have had a great relationship, but now things are changing and there is a possibility that Holt is involved in some criminal activity that could make everything come crumbling down.
This book was full of deep connection and love between these two men, even when nothing romantic is happening, it is clear that there is very strong feelings between them. We start the story 14 years in the past, and we grow with both of them through their interactions over the years. Sometimes just text messages and phone calls.
This book was chalk full of near misses and so much longing. If the angst and pining is something you love, this will be right up your alley.
However, for me, this was a bit too much backstory and not enough in current life. The characters are never on the same page and the relationship doesn't get enough place to breathe.
The few love scenes we do get are beautiful and wonderful, and I did love the charity that Holt was involved in and how he explains his sexual epiphany in the story.
Overall, I kind of just felt "meh" about it. I don't know if reading the whole series would have helped or not? I do know there is a Sapphic romance earlier in the series that I want to try for sure.
3/5 Pining Stars for me.
This 5th book in the Fog City series is about Braxton Kane, a former Army Officer who is now an police chief and Holt Madigan, a former enlisted man who worked under Barx, and is part of a family of assassins'. Brax is 16 years older than Holt and he has always been hesitant to push for more.
Brax has carried a torch for Holt for 14 years, and except for one night before their lives went separate ways, they have been "just friends". They have had a great relationship, but now things are changing and there is a possibility that Holt is involved in some criminal activity that could make everything come crumbling down.
This book was full of deep connection and love between these two men, even when nothing romantic is happening, it is clear that there is very strong feelings between them. We start the story 14 years in the past, and we grow with both of them through their interactions over the years. Sometimes just text messages and phone calls.
This book was chalk full of near misses and so much longing. If the angst and pining is something you love, this will be right up your alley.
However, for me, this was a bit too much backstory and not enough in current life. The characters are never on the same page and the relationship doesn't get enough place to breathe.
The few love scenes we do get are beautiful and wonderful, and I did love the charity that Holt was involved in and how he explains his sexual epiphany in the story.
Overall, I kind of just felt "meh" about it. I don't know if reading the whole series would have helped or not? I do know there is a Sapphic romance earlier in the series that I want to try for sure.
3/5 Pining Stars for me.
May 7, 2021
I'm glad we FINALLY got the Holt and Kane story we've been asking for since book 1.
However, I wish the book focused on just that: Holt and Kane, and not a million other things happening, leaving little on-page time for these men loving on each other. Yes, we already knew they had a connection and got some great background to that but truly, they were still overshadowed by things that I could care less about which couldve been wrapped up sooner than they were so that the story could refocus on the reason people(like myself) picked this book: Holt and Kane.
Not going to lie, I was bummed about this and wished it wasn't so but it was what it was...
However, I wish the book focused on just that: Holt and Kane, and not a million other things happening, leaving little on-page time for these men loving on each other. Yes, we already knew they had a connection and got some great background to that but truly, they were still overshadowed by things that I could care less about which couldve been wrapped up sooner than they were so that the story could refocus on the reason people(like myself) picked this book: Holt and Kane.
Not going to lie, I was bummed about this and wished it wasn't so but it was what it was...
April 19, 2021
*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review*
Silent Knight was everything I wanted and more! I love the Fog City series and, from early on, I've been intrigued by Holt and Brax's friendship and was hoping to learn more about them. This book delivered their long awaited story and it is so good!! The story starts when Brax first meets Holt in Afghanistan and follows them through 14 years of friendship, through the many trials and celebrations in their lives. No matter what happens - being apart, revelations about Holt's family, even Holt's marriage - their bond is unshakeable.
While I always love a romantic love story, I especially love that this is a solid best friends to lovers story, in part because Holt is demi. As an aroace person, I was really pleased with the representation in the book and how Holt's relationship with Brax gradually shifted as his feelings for his best friend changed. It was subtle and sweet and really well done! I also appreciated that, in their long years of friendship, neither Holt or Brax got lost to jealousy, even when Holt got married. Getting both of their points of view was so special, and I liked that Brax's chapters covered the start of their relationship and Holt's chapters picked up the current storyline. It definitely showed both of their strengths and the way they support each other during different times in their lives.
I could keep gushing about how much I love the characters but I'll also add that this story was every bit as exciting as the others in the Fog City series! It ties together loose ends and brings in all the other characters, including ones from the other series set in the same universe (Trouble Brewing, Agents Irish and Whiskey). This was an extremely satisfying conclusion to a great series, one that I'm already planning to revisit!
Silent Knight was everything I wanted and more! I love the Fog City series and, from early on, I've been intrigued by Holt and Brax's friendship and was hoping to learn more about them. This book delivered their long awaited story and it is so good!! The story starts when Brax first meets Holt in Afghanistan and follows them through 14 years of friendship, through the many trials and celebrations in their lives. No matter what happens - being apart, revelations about Holt's family, even Holt's marriage - their bond is unshakeable.
While I always love a romantic love story, I especially love that this is a solid best friends to lovers story, in part because Holt is demi. As an aroace person, I was really pleased with the representation in the book and how Holt's relationship with Brax gradually shifted as his feelings for his best friend changed. It was subtle and sweet and really well done! I also appreciated that, in their long years of friendship, neither Holt or Brax got lost to jealousy, even when Holt got married. Getting both of their points of view was so special, and I liked that Brax's chapters covered the start of their relationship and Holt's chapters picked up the current storyline. It definitely showed both of their strengths and the way they support each other during different times in their lives.
I could keep gushing about how much I love the characters but I'll also add that this story was every bit as exciting as the others in the Fog City series! It ties together loose ends and brings in all the other characters, including ones from the other series set in the same universe (Trouble Brewing, Agents Irish and Whiskey). This was an extremely satisfying conclusion to a great series, one that I'm already planning to revisit!
May 3, 2021
Yes, Holt and Brax are finally here!!! We have seen them dance around each other for the last four book and I'm so happy to get their story at last.
This is the last book in the Fog City series and cannot be read as a standalone. Holt and Brax have an incredible connection, which is so important especially to Holt, as he's demi.
✔Best friends to lovers
✔14 years of pining
✔Demisexual MC
✔Age gap
✔Dual POV
To see them find their happy ending was an eventful journey. Loved seeing more of the bond between the Madigan siblings and their banter. There's also a cameo from the author's Irish and Whiskey series, so lookout if you're a fan!
It was amazing when the POV switched from Brax to Holt halfway through the book. Loved watching them fall for each other through the years. It was great to see that all the loose ends were tied up.
If you want a love story spanning years, an adorable kid, missed opportunities and all the pining, definitely check this out!
*ARC provided by the author via Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
This is the last book in the Fog City series and cannot be read as a standalone. Holt and Brax have an incredible connection, which is so important especially to Holt, as he's demi.
✔Best friends to lovers
✔14 years of pining
✔Demisexual MC
✔Age gap
✔Dual POV
To see them find their happy ending was an eventful journey. Loved seeing more of the bond between the Madigan siblings and their banter. There's also a cameo from the author's Irish and Whiskey series, so lookout if you're a fan!
It was amazing when the POV switched from Brax to Holt halfway through the book. Loved watching them fall for each other through the years. It was great to see that all the loose ends were tied up.
If you want a love story spanning years, an adorable kid, missed opportunities and all the pining, definitely check this out!
*ARC provided by the author via Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
April 26, 2021
2.5 rounded up
I was really looking forward to this one and I *did* enjoy it overall, but as is the case with so many of Rayne's book, this one just went off the rails for me.
I was PRIMED to love this book based on the glimpses we got of Colt and Brax's relationship in the earlier books, but I just don't feel like the author delivered. To start off, the first 1/3 of the book is essentially told in flashbacks starting from when Colt & Brax first meet each other and showing important moments between them up until the present timeline. While I appreciated getting a bit more context for their relationship, this felt super clunky. Starting the first 30% of your book entirely with past memories to catch up your reader just felt like a really inelegant solution and it might have worked okay if this was the first book in the series, but because we already know these characters and have an idea of tensions between them from the previous books, having SO much past memory stuff before we can get to the actual present storyline totally killed the momentum and wasn't the most auspicious of starts.
THEN we finally get to the present timeline, where we know, from the previous book, that Colt and Brax have essentially been on the outs for about a year since shit went down in the original trilogy, and ending in a big blowout between them about 3 months ago that resulted in them basically not speaking at all. And then... none of that is ever satisfyingly addressed. Holt just basically decides to make Brax talk to him again and Brax basically gives in with little resistance and it was the world's most unsatisfying resolution to a year-long strugglefest I've ever read. There was zero tension or really meaningful back and forth and it made the whole thing feel very manufactured.
And THEN we get to what I think is one of Rayne's biggest weaknesses, which is her tendency to go WAY overboard on the plot to the point of nonsense. I'm all for a thriller and plot twists and some actual interesting plot to go with my romance, but this was all over the place. Way too many characters and just a lot of jumbled information that made my eyes totally glaze over in confusion and boredom. I know fans of multi-verses will love the little cameos from her other series, but though I read/enjoyed them, I actually found the fact that basically every character she's ever written shows up in this one to be exhausting and, again, felt very forced.
Which makes it sound like I disliked the book, and I didn't! I really enjoyed Brax and Holt as characters, and their relationship was lovely, but I wanted more of it. I wanted a little less focus on a zany plot and more time and care into developing the move from friends to more. There was SO much that could have been really explored here, and though the author touches on these elements, such the tension between Brax's job as police chief and Holt's role in a crime family, it's all so surface-level that it left me ultimately feeling unsatisfied. The happy ending was great, but I didn't really feel like I got to see them work hard enough at it to feel truly satisfied. Which is maybe why I'm rating it a bit lower than the rest of the books in the series--I think it's probably about on par with them, but this story was so up my alley and had so much potential I felt more let down by it than by the others. I still liked it, and I'd still recommend for fans of the series, but I'm becoming a bit disenchanted with this author.
===
ARC copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was really looking forward to this one and I *did* enjoy it overall, but as is the case with so many of Rayne's book, this one just went off the rails for me.
I was PRIMED to love this book based on the glimpses we got of Colt and Brax's relationship in the earlier books, but I just don't feel like the author delivered. To start off, the first 1/3 of the book is essentially told in flashbacks starting from when Colt & Brax first meet each other and showing important moments between them up until the present timeline. While I appreciated getting a bit more context for their relationship, this felt super clunky. Starting the first 30% of your book entirely with past memories to catch up your reader just felt like a really inelegant solution and it might have worked okay if this was the first book in the series, but because we already know these characters and have an idea of tensions between them from the previous books, having SO much past memory stuff before we can get to the actual present storyline totally killed the momentum and wasn't the most auspicious of starts.
THEN we finally get to the present timeline, where we know, from the previous book, that Colt and Brax have essentially been on the outs for about a year since shit went down in the original trilogy, and ending in a big blowout between them about 3 months ago that resulted in them basically not speaking at all. And then... none of that is ever satisfyingly addressed. Holt just basically decides to make Brax talk to him again and Brax basically gives in with little resistance and it was the world's most unsatisfying resolution to a year-long strugglefest I've ever read. There was zero tension or really meaningful back and forth and it made the whole thing feel very manufactured.
And THEN we get to what I think is one of Rayne's biggest weaknesses, which is her tendency to go WAY overboard on the plot to the point of nonsense. I'm all for a thriller and plot twists and some actual interesting plot to go with my romance, but this was all over the place. Way too many characters and just a lot of jumbled information that made my eyes totally glaze over in confusion and boredom. I know fans of multi-verses will love the little cameos from her other series, but though I read/enjoyed them, I actually found the fact that basically every character she's ever written shows up in this one to be exhausting and, again, felt very forced.
Which makes it sound like I disliked the book, and I didn't! I really enjoyed Brax and Holt as characters, and their relationship was lovely, but I wanted more of it. I wanted a little less focus on a zany plot and more time and care into developing the move from friends to more. There was SO much that could have been really explored here, and though the author touches on these elements, such the tension between Brax's job as police chief and Holt's role in a crime family, it's all so surface-level that it left me ultimately feeling unsatisfied. The happy ending was great, but I didn't really feel like I got to see them work hard enough at it to feel truly satisfied. Which is maybe why I'm rating it a bit lower than the rest of the books in the series--I think it's probably about on par with them, but this story was so up my alley and had so much potential I felt more let down by it than by the others. I still liked it, and I'd still recommend for fans of the series, but I'm becoming a bit disenchanted with this author.
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ARC copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2021
I'm happy we finally got Holt and Brax's back story. I really do adore them together and the bond they kept throughout the years. I wasn't thrilled with other parts of the storyline and found some of it to be a bit ridiculous, so my four stars are really just for Brax and Holt.
Read
March 20, 2021Okay, that was excellent. Fitting HEA for these two. Fitting wrap-up to Fog City, and a nice springboard for something new?
November 18, 2021
The 5th book in the series is about Holt Madigan, Hawes aka The Prince of Killers's twin and Helena,s brother.
Fourteen years ago new enlisted private Holt Madigan met Captain Braxton Kane, and Brax promised He’d do whatever it took to make sure this soldier walked back up that ramp and made it home when his tour was over. The men had an instant click, solidifying their bound during a dangerous mission.
On the cusp of starting his civilian life Holt spend a steamy night with Brax, and they went their separate ways.
“You are a gift, Holt Madigan. This night has been a gift. Gifts are a good thing. And I’d like to spend the rest of the night unwrapping you.”
Over the years they managed to stay in touch, and, much to their delight, Brax had the opportunity to snag a job at the San Francisco police department.
Lately Brax had been withdrawing from Holt and the rest of his Madigan family and when things start to unravel, the whole family comes together to resolve the heat around Brax. And the Madigan's residence nerd, Holt, let loose his fingers to find much needed information on the (dark) web.
The story is told in dual POV, alternating between Brax and Holt. While you could read it as a standalone, I would suggest to read the whole series in order to understand the Madigan-family dynamic and mode of operandi.
Part of the Fog City Series and must be read in order:
June 14, 2022
2.5 stars.
May 13, 2021
2.5 stars - I absolutely loved the first 3 Fog City books and had thought that was the end. It was a trilogy. But then Ms Reyne released Helena’s story and now Holt’s. I was excited to read about Holt and Brax’s relationship and how it developed and changed.
Part One was in Brax’s voice and it covered the early part of his and Holt’s friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed this part because it was nice to see the bond being forged between the two men.
Part Two was in Holt’s voice and it started in the present time. Here’s where it lost me. It has been roughly 9 months since I read the first three books and I didn’t want to reread them so soon. I figured I’d be okay since it hadn’t been too long. Nope. I felt like I was thrown into the middle of things. There should have been a note to read book 3 again before the events in this book because Ms Reyne didn’t do a very good job of jogging your memory about things.
There was one quote that kept being remembered from book 3 and it mentioned a “she” in it. But there was no reminder of anything about it! I had to look it up. I had no idea who the “she” in that quote was referring to. Was it Amelia? Was it Rose? Well, it was Rose and I didn’t remember that quote from that book. So fie on me. And that wasn’t the only thing we were supposed to remember and it was just aggravating. So I didn’t enjoy the majority of this book because I felt lost. And I READ the first 3 books.
There were also a lot of initials that weren’t explained. Why do some authors do this? A reader shouldn’t have to look up what something means. IRR? Was something irregular? This may be common for someone with a military background but not your readers. FCI Dublin was another one. It wasn’t until several chapters later when they called FCI Dublin that it was explained what the FCI stood for. Again, maybe if I had reread book 3 it would have been fresh in my mind. Perhaps I’m just an idiot reader. Either way, it was annoying.
This is NOT a stand-alone. If it’s been a while since you’ve read the first few books, I suggest you go back and at least read book 3 “A New Empire” before diving into this one. The epilogue didn’t even make sense to me. I was clueless about what Mel was offering. It wasn’t explained well. You were just expected to know.
Part One was in Brax’s voice and it covered the early part of his and Holt’s friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed this part because it was nice to see the bond being forged between the two men.
Part Two was in Holt’s voice and it started in the present time. Here’s where it lost me. It has been roughly 9 months since I read the first three books and I didn’t want to reread them so soon. I figured I’d be okay since it hadn’t been too long. Nope. I felt like I was thrown into the middle of things. There should have been a note to read book 3 again before the events in this book because Ms Reyne didn’t do a very good job of jogging your memory about things.
There was one quote that kept being remembered from book 3 and it mentioned a “she” in it. But there was no reminder of anything about it! I had to look it up. I had no idea who the “she” in that quote was referring to. Was it Amelia? Was it Rose? Well, it was Rose and I didn’t remember that quote from that book. So fie on me. And that wasn’t the only thing we were supposed to remember and it was just aggravating. So I didn’t enjoy the majority of this book because I felt lost. And I READ the first 3 books.
There were also a lot of initials that weren’t explained. Why do some authors do this? A reader shouldn’t have to look up what something means. IRR? Was something irregular? This may be common for someone with a military background but not your readers. FCI Dublin was another one. It wasn’t until several chapters later when they called FCI Dublin that it was explained what the FCI stood for. Again, maybe if I had reread book 3 it would have been fresh in my mind. Perhaps I’m just an idiot reader. Either way, it was annoying.
This is NOT a stand-alone. If it’s been a while since you’ve read the first few books, I suggest you go back and at least read book 3 “A New Empire” before diving into this one. The epilogue didn’t even make sense to me. I was clueless about what Mel was offering. It wasn’t explained well. You were just expected to know.
November 7, 2021
Another excellent story by Layla Reyne! No matter what she writes it is always a story that captures your attention and keeps it from beginning to end! I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, the characters are unique and multi-layered and the plot twists kept me guessing.
5 Stars
5 Stars
February 22, 2024
NoW, thats how one advertise to an audience, that follows a characters development.
April 13, 2021
I've been waiting for this book for what seems like forever, and it was definitely worth the wait. I fell in love with the Madigans and the world of Fog City from the first page of Prince of Killers, and I know the series will go on my re-read list.
If you've not read the other books, you should go do that now. You can skip Queen's Ransom if you absolutely must, as it's FF, but I enjoyed it despite not being a FF reader. Definitely read Prince of Killers and King Slayer, though, so you understand everything that happens in this final installment.
Layla Reyne wisely chooses to start in the past to help us understand the complexity of Brax and Holt's relationship. It's a bit of a slow burn, but totally worth every minute. I highly recommend this series!
If you've not read the other books, you should go do that now. You can skip Queen's Ransom if you absolutely must, as it's FF, but I enjoyed it despite not being a FF reader. Definitely read Prince of Killers and King Slayer, though, so you understand everything that happens in this final installment.
Layla Reyne wisely chooses to start in the past to help us understand the complexity of Brax and Holt's relationship. It's a bit of a slow burn, but totally worth every minute. I highly recommend this series!
May 4, 2022
5 Stars!
I've been wishing for Brax and Holt's book ever since I read Prince of Killers and Layla Reyne didn't disappoint! For maximum enjoyment and a better understanding of this world, you need to read at the very least the Fog City trilogy. Silent Knight features cameos from some of my favorite AIW and Trouble Brewing characters, too, which might have made me squee a little, LOL.
This story is told in three parts. The first is in the past and told from Brax's POV, I just felt so bad witnessing Brax's unrequited love for Holt, even if it was a delight to see how their friendship became as tight as we witnessed in the Fog City series. The next part is in Holt's perspective and is set in the present. And the last part is from Brax's point of view.
Brax was so protective of Holt and Lily, despite it being a conflict with him being a Police Chief. Determined to save and protect them from everything and anything. He was even more amazing and swoon-worthy than I imagined. I really liked Holt, and how he finally realized his feelings for Brax. It was a slow burn, but it was so well done that I really didn't mind the wait. Their chemistry was off-the-charts from the first moment I met them, so I knew they would be explosive when they finally got together and they were. *fans self*
Christian Leatherman did such a great job with the audiobook! I think this is the first book I've listened to him narrate, but he did quite well with Silent Knight, especially considering how many characters there are in it.
I'm a huge fan of books with demisexual characters and this one was especially well done. Never mind that it was plot-oriented, action-packed, and interesting, and tied up some things that had been dealt with before, but not completely. And that ending! OMG, I hope this isn't the last we've seen of these fantastic characters, I just can't get enough of them all, and Ms. Reyne's storytelling brilliance.
Very recommendable!
I've been wishing for Brax and Holt's book ever since I read Prince of Killers and Layla Reyne didn't disappoint! For maximum enjoyment and a better understanding of this world, you need to read at the very least the Fog City trilogy. Silent Knight features cameos from some of my favorite AIW and Trouble Brewing characters, too, which might have made me squee a little, LOL.
This story is told in three parts. The first is in the past and told from Brax's POV, I just felt so bad witnessing Brax's unrequited love for Holt, even if it was a delight to see how their friendship became as tight as we witnessed in the Fog City series. The next part is in Holt's perspective and is set in the present. And the last part is from Brax's point of view.
Brax was so protective of Holt and Lily, despite it being a conflict with him being a Police Chief. Determined to save and protect them from everything and anything. He was even more amazing and swoon-worthy than I imagined. I really liked Holt, and how he finally realized his feelings for Brax. It was a slow burn, but it was so well done that I really didn't mind the wait. Their chemistry was off-the-charts from the first moment I met them, so I knew they would be explosive when they finally got together and they were. *fans self*
Christian Leatherman did such a great job with the audiobook! I think this is the first book I've listened to him narrate, but he did quite well with Silent Knight, especially considering how many characters there are in it.
I'm a huge fan of books with demisexual characters and this one was especially well done. Never mind that it was plot-oriented, action-packed, and interesting, and tied up some things that had been dealt with before, but not completely. And that ending! OMG, I hope this isn't the last we've seen of these fantastic characters, I just can't get enough of them all, and Ms. Reyne's storytelling brilliance.
Very recommendable!
April 29, 2021
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the fifth book in the series, and is absolutely brilliant in that it completely brings the storyline into a whole new light - finally explaining why Brax has been so close to the family all along. If you have not read any of the previous books, then this is not the place to start - but I certainly would encourage you to start at the beginning.
Holt has been the mystery in the family dynamic - protected by Hawes and Helena from actively participating in their less than legal business, we know get to see how the loss of their parents affected him, and how he and Braxton met. I was completely enthralled by the whole unravelling of their story and the love that clearly existed between them. Having watched both his siblings find their HEA, it was very satisfying to finally see Holt sort out the feelings of the past and get a chance at making his world right.
This was again a tense, passionate and addictive reading - I highly recommend this series, and it has even found its way onto my series reread list, which is a very rare event!
This is the fifth book in the series, and is absolutely brilliant in that it completely brings the storyline into a whole new light - finally explaining why Brax has been so close to the family all along. If you have not read any of the previous books, then this is not the place to start - but I certainly would encourage you to start at the beginning.
Holt has been the mystery in the family dynamic - protected by Hawes and Helena from actively participating in their less than legal business, we know get to see how the loss of their parents affected him, and how he and Braxton met. I was completely enthralled by the whole unravelling of their story and the love that clearly existed between them. Having watched both his siblings find their HEA, it was very satisfying to finally see Holt sort out the feelings of the past and get a chance at making his world right.
This was again a tense, passionate and addictive reading - I highly recommend this series, and it has even found its way onto my series reread list, which is a very rare event!
May 3, 2021
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
We’ve seen Holt and Brax dancing around each other so to speak, throughout the entire Fog City series. In the previous book, Queen’s Ransom, both Holt and Brax were a mess and I couldn’t wait to get my hand on Silent Knight.to find why.
The story doesn’t start in the present day. Instead, we are taken back to the day Brax and Holt met on an army base in Afghanistan 14 years before. Brax is instantly taken with Holt and vows to protect him. The men bond over weekly card games and form an unbreakable friendship. It was a privilege to spend time with Brax and Holt and I felt like I was witnessing something very private and very special.
By the time the story takes us to the current day and I was completely in love with Brax and Holt and couldn’t wait to see them reach their happily ever after. But in the present day things aren’t going so well and Brax’s career and eventually his life are in danger. But the Madigans consider Brax a member of their family and mobilise to protect him while Holt provides emotional support. Enter plenty of scheming, danger and action to go with the developing romance between Holt and Brax.
What can I say? I totally adored Silent Knight. It pushed all my lovey dovey romance buttons and the heat and action got my heart and blood pumping. I love this couple and the wait for their story was definitely worth it. My only complaint is that this is the final book with the series and I’m greedy, I want more time with Brax and Holt. Silent Knight is a fantastic ending to a great series.
We’ve seen Holt and Brax dancing around each other so to speak, throughout the entire Fog City series. In the previous book, Queen’s Ransom, both Holt and Brax were a mess and I couldn’t wait to get my hand on Silent Knight.to find why.
The story doesn’t start in the present day. Instead, we are taken back to the day Brax and Holt met on an army base in Afghanistan 14 years before. Brax is instantly taken with Holt and vows to protect him. The men bond over weekly card games and form an unbreakable friendship. It was a privilege to spend time with Brax and Holt and I felt like I was witnessing something very private and very special.
By the time the story takes us to the current day and I was completely in love with Brax and Holt and couldn’t wait to see them reach their happily ever after. But in the present day things aren’t going so well and Brax’s career and eventually his life are in danger. But the Madigans consider Brax a member of their family and mobilise to protect him while Holt provides emotional support. Enter plenty of scheming, danger and action to go with the developing romance between Holt and Brax.
What can I say? I totally adored Silent Knight. It pushed all my lovey dovey romance buttons and the heat and action got my heart and blood pumping. I love this couple and the wait for their story was definitely worth it. My only complaint is that this is the final book with the series and I’m greedy, I want more time with Brax and Holt. Silent Knight is a fantastic ending to a great series.
May 3, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Silent Knight is the fifth and final book in Layla Reyne’s exciting Fog City series. The first three books feature Holt’s brother, Hawes Madigan, finding love, as well as suspense arc that impacts the whole family. The final two books then focus on the other two siblings, Helena and Holt, getting their stories. While this is the first book featuring Holt as the lead, his story really starts back in the earlier books, so you will want to be familiar with the whole series for maximum enjoyment. Holt’s journey is such a fascinating one and I have been so eager to get his book, and I really just loved it.
This story starts off in Brax’s POV and begins 14 years prior when Holt shows up for duty at Brax’s camp. We see how immediately protective Brax feels over Holt, as well as Holt’s early vulnerability. We also get to watch the progression of their friendship while they are serving together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Silent Knight is the fifth and final book in Layla Reyne’s exciting Fog City series. The first three books feature Holt’s brother, Hawes Madigan, finding love, as well as suspense arc that impacts the whole family. The final two books then focus on the other two siblings, Helena and Holt, getting their stories. While this is the first book featuring Holt as the lead, his story really starts back in the earlier books, so you will want to be familiar with the whole series for maximum enjoyment. Holt’s journey is such a fascinating one and I have been so eager to get his book, and I really just loved it.
This story starts off in Brax’s POV and begins 14 years prior when Holt shows up for duty at Brax’s camp. We see how immediately protective Brax feels over Holt, as well as Holt’s early vulnerability. We also get to watch the progression of their friendship while they are serving together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
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