Penny For Your Thoughts (Shadowy Solutions Book 5) by Nicky James

Another danger-filled investigation for Diem and Tallus. What starts as looking into a simple money scam has Diem and Tallus chasing around the city, dodging a bad guy and trying to help someone caught in the scheme. And throughout it all their love grows stronger.


From the blurb:

Diem never thought he would have a steady boyfriend and enough cases to keep his business in the green. He never thought his nana would live to be ninety-three.
Life is, dare he say, good?
He could do to drink less, and he still needs to quit smoking, but he’s getting there.
He’s happy.
In love.
If he could manage his stress, life might even turn out to be… great?
But then Tallus arranges dinner with his parents, where Diem faces questions about commitment and weddings and a weekend bonding trip with a stepfather he doesn’t know.
And a resident of Nana’s nursing home ends up involved in a twisted version of a grandparent scheme, so Diem agrees to investigate. The police clearly aren’t doing their job.
It’s all downhill from there.
The case somehow leads to Diem figuratively adopting the most obnoxious teenager imaginable. A boy whose troubled life reflects Diem’s past. A boy who is deeply entwined in a con far more complex than he realizes.
One misstep tips their hand. The hunter becomes the hunted. Diem and Tallus—and their unfortunate sidekick—are in a race against the clock, desperate to nail the person responsible before he skips the country… or seeks revenge.
So much for reducing stress.
Amidst the chaos, Diem finds himself bonding with his petulant rescue-teen. Diem is nobody’s role model, but the boy’s incessant questions open Diem’s mind and heart to things he never thought possible.
Things that make him think that maybe life could be… amazing.

*This is the fifth installment in the Shadowy Solution series. It is a same-couple mystery series with mental health rep, size difference, and a sassy vs surly dynamic. The series should be read in order for full enjoyment*


SNik's review:

Fifth in series (Shadowy Solutions), must be read in order. Established couple. Dual POV. Heed content warnings. 

This story brings a new case for intrepid private investigator duo Diem and Tallus that starts at Diem’s grandmother’s nursing home and leads them on a merry chase. Everything about the evolution of Diem is front and center in this book, he has changed so much since he was first introduced and his love for Tallus is a huge part of it and it is swoon. 

I enjoyed every second Diem and Tallus were on page together, the honest communication, the care, and the love that is reinforced each time they interact. I really appreciated how hard Diem tries in overcoming his individual battles and how both men are utterly committed to each other no matter what. The investigation part of the story was entertaining and new characters interesting. Honestly, I could read about this couple for years with this type of plot as I love the characters and their chemistry, both personal and professional.

Penny For Your Thoughts is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription