The Dark Tide

Wow! What a perfect way to wrap up this series. [a:Josh Lanyon 359194 Josh Lanyon https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1289326144p2/359194.jpg] is a genius. This book brings full circle the on and off relationship between James “Jake” Riordan ex LAPD Lieutenant and mystery book store owner, writer and sometimes amateur sleuth Adrien English. Book 5 picks up a few weeks after book 4 ended and all the broken pieces are still scattered.When the book starts Adrien is convalescing physically and mentally from open heart surgery and the events of book 4, which frankly you should be up on before venturing anywhere close to this book. For his part Jake is trying to get a foothold in this strange new world he lives in. The world of being an openly gay man or as he prefers, a homosexual. He is also however cautiously and subtly trying to make his way back into Adrien's life. The mystery this time comes in the shape of a 50 year old skeleton discovered in the floorboards during the renovations for the expansion of Cloak & Dagger. Aside from the homophobic fixations of Det. Alonzo the case is a cold one, requires no urgency and poses very little current danger. This is perfect as the real theme of this book is Adrien's introspection. He is coming to terms with the fact that now after his heart has been mended he is for the first time feeling mortal and fragile. On a bigger scale he's trying to sort out what his feelings are. Feelings for the distant past which comes calling in the shape of his ex-ex Mel, his most recent ex Guy and the ex that never was Jake. Needless to say the most complicated of these is Jake. Jake who's never officially been his, Jake who hurt him willingly and also inadvertently, who cut him deep but is also the only person who makes him feel alive.The case/mystery serves as a nice backdrop illustrating the regrets for the roads not taken and Adrien is smack in the middle of the proverbial fork in the road.“Forgiveness. Can you imagine?” a line from “It's Quiet Uptown” from Hamilton kept running through my mind. Because ultimately that is what it comes down to for Adrien. Can he forgive Jake for almost breaking him? is he willing to take the risk? to jump without a net? and isn't that what we all must risk in love? Putting our hearts and lives in someone else's hands. In true equal relationships the risk runs both ways and Jake is willing to take that risk, but will Adrien?I'll say no more but that this was all kinds of perfect and true to who these characters have been the whole time. And that those who have hated Jake get to see him be open, honest and brave in all the ways that matter and still be true to his core self. I love that the “I love yous” weren't bandied about nilly willy because that's not who these people are. Thankfully. I love the guest characters Natalie, Lisa and the return of Angus. I liked how Kate, Jake's ex-wife is not made a bitch villainess. And that final declaration from Jake "I've always been grateful - even when I was married, even when I thought it was over between us - that it was you I fell in love with." swoon If that isn't romantic then I don't know what is!This has been one of the more satisfying series I've read and I'm so glad I found it. It will definitely be on the re-read list. Once again big thanks to [a:Chris Patton 1381825 Chris Patton https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1297104882p2/1381825.jpg] for a masterful narration.