Review: Fair Play by Josh Lanyon (All's Fair #2)
Note: This ARC was provided by Carina Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fair Play is the second book in the All's Fair series by acclaimed author Josh Lanyon. The book may be read as a standalone but there are a couple of story lines that are carried over from the first book so I suggest that you check that out before heading into this one. It'll be a worthwhile read and it'll give you some back story so that you're more aware of the stuff going on in this second installment. Even though the two books were published four years apart, the story in book two itself is set six or so months after the events in book one.
Just when things seem to be going well for Elliot Mills and Tucker Lance, they receive a phone call in the wee hours of the morning alerting them to a fire at the Mills' family home. While Roland Mills, Elliot's father, escapes unharmed, it becomes rather obvious that the fire was intentionally set. When a second attempt at hurting Roland occurs and Roland decides to leave, not wanting Elliot to get involved in what appears to be a personal vendetta against him, Elliot realizes he needs to get to the bottom of it, even it may involve invading his father's privacy and delving into his very colorful and sometimes violent past.
Aside from the attempts at his father's life, Elliot and Tucker are faced with certain issues regarding their relationship. They've never been as committed or involved with their past lovers, but even after having reconciled after a nasty breakup and now living together for six months, both sides seem to have difficulty keeping the lines of communication open. When secrets that have been kept are revealed, feelings are hurt and a sense of betrayal makes them wonder if they lack the mutual trust and respect needed to keep their relationship on the right track.
As with the book before it, Fair Play focuses on the mystery thriller angle while interweaving the relationship situation between Elliot and Tucker, though we do get to see more of the dynamic between the two lead characters as partners rather than as exes in this installment. Figuring out who was after Roland Mills and the motive behind wanting to hurt or kill him kept me preoccupied and the list of suspects keeps you guessing. Seeing Elliot and Tucker trying to navigate the ins and outs of a committed relationship while still focusing on the task at hand, i.e. looking for viable suspects and motives, makes this book an overall great read.
The book opens the door for a third installment and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the wait won't be as long as the one between the first and second ones. I'm already hooked on Elliot Mills and Tucker Lance and how it seems as if trouble just seems to follow Elliot everywhere. Roland is also an interesting secondary character (though his actions in the last couple of chapters had me a tad irritated with him). I highly recommend the All's Fair series and am giving Fair Play 4.5 stars out of five. ♥
Release Date: 10 November 2014
Date read: 10 November 2014
Learn more about the prolific Josh Lanyon here.
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