Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8) by Nicky James

The much appreciated finale and HEA for Aslan and Quaid, two detectives that love hard and are finally starting their expanded family together. However, Quaid has a missing boy case he can't let go even as their surrogate is about to go into labor, and Aslan is by his side for anything and everything no matter what.


From the Paternal Instincts blurb:

At the heart of a missing child case, Quaid and Aslan learn the true nature of fatherhood.

With their baby due any day, Quaid ends up tangled in a case on the last day of work before his parental leave begins. Between eerie ransom notes and family secrets, unanswered questions pile up, twisting the case into something Quaid has never seen.
Someone is lying. Someone knows more than they’re saying.
With the help of supportive friends and colleagues, Quaid and Aslan are determined to solve the case before it’s too late. When their surrogate goes into labor, Quaid struggles to let go and walk away.
A boy has vanished.
A life is in danger.
Can they find the missing child before their baby makes their way into the world?


SNik's review:

Eighth in series and series finale (Valor & Doyle Mysteries), best if read in order. Mystery/suspense. Established couple. Found family. Dual POV.  Heed content warnings.

Police detectives Quaid and Aslan are ready to become parents, their baby is due any day and they are taking leave from the police department. But, a kidnapping for ransom case pops up and Quaid can’t say no, so with his work partner, best friend, and of course his husband assisting, they try to find the missing boy before Quaid and Aslan’s surrogate goes into labor. 

This couple is a favorite of mine, the characters have grown a lot since they first came together, healed, struggled, fought, supported, and unconditionally loved each other throughout everything. The ticking clock on this story along with all the emotions of past grief and pending fatherhood, as well as the strong bonds of family as well as chosen/found family made every page tense and entertaining. Aslan and Quaid were sweet, steamy, caring, and beyond in love with each other, this book was such a fabulous way to send them into their HEA. I cried for them, I cried about them, and I am sad there won’t be more stories of their beautiful future together.

Paternal Instincts is currently available as an e-book