Un poisson à la dérive: Ellery et Jackson, T3

Fish Out of Water #3

by Amy Lane

Un matou, un psychopathe et un médium se rendent dans le désert pour sauver les hommes qu'ils aiment... Tout le monde peut-il s'en sortir indemne ? Jackson Rivers, détective privé, et Ellery Cramer, avocat de la défense, se remettent à peine de l'épisode de novembre dernier au cours duquel l'arrestation d'un tueur en série a presque entièrement détruit le corps et l'esprit de Jackson. Et cette enquête a fait surgir un autre danger, les obligeant à quitter la ville pour débusquer le serpent dans sa tanière. Jackson Rivers a grandi dans des rues malfamées et appris depuis longtemps à ne pas se soucier de sa propre vie. Mais il reçoit une toute nouvelle leçon lorsque l'ennemi s'empare d'Ellery. L'homme qui a su retrouver ses morceaux brisés dans l'obscurité et les reconstituer est en danger, et la seule possibilité qu'il a de le sauver repose entre les mains d'alliés fragiles qu'il connaît à peine. Il faudra un peu de chance pour que ces quelques bons poissons s'en sortent vivants ! #MM #Crime #Suspense #ForcesDeL'Ordre #Mystère #Humour

Genres: M M Romance, Mystery, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Suspense, Crime

456 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2018

About the author

Amy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.

Reviews

[Simone - on indefinite hiatus - · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update 02/2019: Gaaaawd, I lurved the audiobook!!! I know, I know, no big surprise here. And like I promised I'll round my rating up to solid 5 stars. Greg Tremblay was... was... gahhh! Even Billy Bob got his own voice. The cat got to say meow! I can't even...
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He knew now that every win was a big win. Any battle he fought had to mean something.

The third book in this series is a story about finding. 

Finding the man looming above Jackson and Ellery's future like a dark shadow and put a stop to his sick game.

Finding someone who is able to help Jackson lay down his burdens and put his fears and insecurities to rest once and for all, even if it's the last of all places he would have looked for help, thinking the devil has first call on his fate.

Finding a way to build a new future together without any shadows and ghosts from the past, preferably without getting killed before.

Some people spent New Year's Day nursing hangovers. They'd spent theirs teaching Ellery gun safety - go figure.

And finally, finding out that the days of tilting at windmills alone are over and that their little circle of family and friends is growing faster than they can count.

Jackson, Jackson, Jackson... the man with more lives than his goddamn cat. The man I once again wanted to wrap up in cotton wool because he lost one or two more of said lives. Well, of course he did. *sigh* It would have been a marked-calendar-worthy kind of day if not. But what can I say? Looks like Ellery was sick of being the one on the sidelines and tried to outstrip him this time. These two... I will definitely miss them something fierce when this series comes to an end. 

"Do you know I had to buy you new underwear?" Ellery had stopped by Penney's this morning. "Seriously, I can't believe you got laid so much when you had more holes in your boxer briefs than you do in your body!"

I've read in some reviews that they didn't particularly like the religious part in this book. Well, usually I'm the first one to run for cover and stay as far away from religion-themed books as I can, but for me I didn't find it overwhelming and preachy at all and here it actually made sense. I was happy that Jackson found someone to talk to after all.

I'm going with 4.5 stars for now, but I reserve the right to give it solid 5 stars once I listen to the audiobook. ;-)

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series and I absolutely love Ellery and Jackson. For me, this series is the pefect blend of suspense, romance, steam and fun !! I am so happy we got another book !!!



This book starts up a few of months after the ending of book two. Jackson is almost back to his former self,  after everything that's  happend in  Red Fish, Dead Fish. But our boys are not in the clear yet and when Ellery gets taken..... all bets are off !!!

There are some great cameo's in this one, like Ace and Sonny, from Racing for the Sun. No worries, you won't have to read that book before hand...I didn't. But you can bet your ass I will now !! ;)



I had an awesome time reading this one. I really enjoyed all the action and I loved seeing Ellery and Jackson getting even closer, and Jackson fully giving in to his feelings ... I can't wait to see what's next, even though I know the next book will be about a different couple. I am pretty sure we will get our Jackson and Ellery fix.  Also, I want to give some extra credit to "Lucy Satan", because, well....she is Lucy Satan  

My reviews are posted on DirtyBooksObsession

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[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio - 5 +++ stars!! Greg T. gave voice and personality to the crossover characters like a dream!!!

Story - 4.5 Simone told me so, and I should have listened stars!!

I'm hoping for a long life for this series. It's the perfect combo of romance, grit and humor.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! It's basically a lawyer and a PI who have lots of adventures, solving crime and meeting interesting people along the way. (and getting shot, stabbed, and ruin more cars than a demolition derby).

Ellery and Jackson are in my 5 favorite M/M book couples. Their dialogue is hilarious.

“If the house is bugged, you and me are going to have so much sex you won’t be able to walk for a month. We’re having sex until the floor collapses. We’re having sex until the neighbors call the cops, and then we’re having sex in front of the cops. I swear to Christ, if these assholes bugged our fucking home, I am going to make them regret it to the depths of their fucking balls.”

Jackson is the only former manwhore where I actually get it. He's written in such a way that his behavior makes sense and isn't just in there for drama. Not that he'd ever cheat on his sexy lawyer boyfriend.

And Ellery. His love and care for Jackson just melts the pages. He struggles so hard to let Jackson be Jackson.

Ellery nodded, and his voice buckled slightly. “I… I want to wrap you in cotton, and then again in bubble wrap and then in packing peanuts and put you in a big shipping container and send it out to sea so nobody can get you.”

Their love is raw, intimate and passionate.

As he stretched out now, naked on the white sheets, Ellery paused for a moment to spread his hand possessively at the base of Jackson’s throat.

“Mine,” he said softly, because truly it was the only label that mattered.

“Yours,” Jackson responded, green eyes colorless in the pale light.

As much as I loved book one and two, the plot in this third book wasn't my favorite. I honestly wanted to just skip to the parts between the two main characters and avoid the rest of the mystery.

[Line · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, the religious aspect in this one was a WEEEEEE bit too preachy...
And it sort of niggled at me that Jackson was vehemently against talking to a psychiatrist or some other type of head-doctor, while (reluctantly) jumping in feet first to talk to the rabbi.
I don't know... Fun story and I LOVED seeing Ace and Sonny again, but yeah... It was a weird shift and focus in their personalities, for me.
Also I would NOT classify this book and this whole series as stand-alones, since there are way too many intricate details involved, but then all of the repetitions of facts and who this and that character is, are quite annoying as a fan of the series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me when I saw this book on the Dreamspinner site...
and then the initial happiness wore off and...

and now...
that is all...

The End!

Full review (insert fangirl squealing) to follow soonish...like seriously soonish!

Ok, it's soonish and here's my full review (insert more fangirling and squeeing here...)

Full disclosure here ladies and gents...this is not really a review...

This is me gushing and squeeing about one of my absolute favorite series...'Fish Out of Water' by Amy Lane.

Ok, I'll start with a bit of restraint here...I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!!!!!!! I mean seriously LOVE. THIS. SERIES. For me it's the BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!! I adore Jackson and Ellery especially 'Jackson AND Ellery'...together these two men are total perfection for me. They work so well...like...like Adrian & Jake, Lucky & Bo, Ty & Zane...am I saying they're "like" these other awesome couples...no, just that for me they are every bit as awesome.

First off while this one had all the action, adventure danger and ohmygod!!! They blew sh*t up...Karen was drooling...what can I say, I'm just a blow sh*t up kinda' girl and there was more LUCY SATAN!!!!!!!!!!! When I grow up I wanna' be just like her, she's my hero. Actually it's possible that Jackson and Ellery may have even broke her...but you'll have to read the story to find out...because I'm not gonna' tell.

We also got more of Jackson's family Jade and her brother are still around and oh joy, oh bliss!!! we may have gotten to spend a little time with Ace and Sonny from 'Racing for the Sun' and maybe there was a new couple that I totally want to know more about, although we did meet one half of this couple previously in...'Racing for the Sun' and according to the blurb for the next book my wish will be answered.

Along with Ellery's mom the incomparable Lucy Satan (or Tyler Cramer to the rest of the world) we finally got to spend time with Ellery's father...and sweet baby jebus that mans an adorable teddy bear.

Now on top of all this Jackson and Ellery once again have landed in harms way but with a little help from their friends they'll manage to save a few lives and keep themselves alive all while taking down the bad guys, but none of this happens without repercussions for them and as a result choices need to be made that neither man had anticipated and ones that will have a huge impact on their future.

One of the things about this story that I really loved was the relationship interactions between Ellery and Jackson and how much Jackson is growing...his life has sucked...I mean seriously with a mother like his...yeah, she was a piece of work but he's trying I mean damn Jackson is seriously trying to open up to Ellery and just be honest with himself about his feelings and at times it was dark and heartbreaking to be in Jackson's mind and so many times I just wanted to hug him and tell him that he just needs to trust Ellery and let him love him because together they'll be ok...I admit it I'm a sap and #teamJackson&Ellery4evah!

The ending of this book was by no means the end of things for Jackson and Ellery. I know that the blurb for the next book tells us there will be a different pair of MCs, but I have faith that we haven't seen the last of Jackson and Ellery or my hero, Lucy Satan and I'm looking forward to finding out what the future holds for them all, but I'm also more than a little curious to find out where Ms Lane is going to take us in book #4 'Hiding the Moon'...detours can bring some of the best adventures on any journey.

Needless to say no story is perfect so while there may have been some quirks and quibbles in this one. None of them were enough to spoil things for me...well other than the fact that I want more and I want it now, but in the meantime there's always the audio book to look forward to, right?

So this is how it all starts...

A tomcat, a psychopath, and a psychic walk into the desert to rescue the men they love….

and to say the least things really amped up in this story...the action was fast paced, the heat between Ellery & Jackson was scorching hot, but what remains to be seen is...how will it all end?

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An ARC of 'A Few Good Fish' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Gerbera_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book sooo much! Ellery and Jackson are so dear to my heart! They've come so far together, have been through so much and the love between them only grew stronger. I loved all the sweet words they said, all the burdens that Jackson finally was able to give to Ellery to keep and all the times he let go and had peace. It was great to see him finding his self-worth and getting a little bit better. Ellery is a rock, solid shoulder to lean on for sometimes vulnerable and volatile Jackson, his patience and ability to speak Jackson language made me love him even more.

I am glad that the troubles they had are finally gone. Bad guys are gone, and they are free to build their future. Kaden, Jade and Mike are one big loyal family and Ellery now becomes a part of it too. I loved Ace and Sonny, Ernie and Burton - how brave and a little unhinged they seemed to be but so caring and gentle at the same time. The events kept happening so fast, there was never a boring moment. The jokes and sarcasm kept being tossed like a ping pong ball. The book ended too soon for me. It was fast-paced and extremely satisfying. Lucy Satan is the mother of mothers, I love her to bits! I wish for more Ellery and Jackson adventure and highly recommend this series!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is how it all starts...

"A tomcat, a psychopath, and a psychic walk into the desert to rescue the men they love..."

and along the way they maybe blow sh*t up!!! Battle some bad guys, get injured protecting the people they love...again and go on a ROAD TRIP!!! Where they visit some old acquaintances who become friends and make some new friends along the way.

Now I'm going to borrow a bit from my review of the e-book here...

First off while this one had all the action, adventure danger and ohmygod!!! They blew sh*t up...Karen was drooling...what can I say, I'm just a blow sh*t up kinda' girl and there was more LUCY SATAN!!!!!!!!!!! When I grow up I wanna' be just like her, she's my hero.

We got more of Jackson's family Jade and her brother are still around and oh joy, oh bliss!!! we may have gotten to spend a little time with Ace and Sonny from 'Racing for the Sun' and along with Ellery's mom the incomparable Lucy Satan (or Tyler Cramer to the rest of the world) we finally got to spend time with Ellery's father...and sweet baby jebus that mans an adorable teddy bear.

As well as trying to track down and stop an unseen enemy Jackson and Ellery are trying to nurture their fledgling relationship at every opportunity and one of the things that I appreciated the most was the growth shown by Jackson ...so much growth and it's here in 'A Few Good Fish' that we are really shown the extent of that growth as Jackson struggles to open up and share his emotional burden with Ellery. It's not easy letting someone in...truly letting them in and sharing all of the dark and scary thoughts that haunt your dreams but if Jackson wants to have a life with Ellery...if he truly wants to share himself with this man who has come to mean so much to him...he knows he's got to find a way to do this and he tries...oh he tries so heartbreakingly hard and sometimes with such naked sincerity that there is nothing to do for it but cry and I did...yep, I don't remember crying when I read the book but this time around as I listened to Jackson pour out his heart in tender moments to Ellery, in emotion filled rage to god...I cried...

I'm totally blaming Greg Tremblay for all those tears. I think we can pretty well all agree that Mr. Tremblay without fail does a superb job when it comes to narrating but it was during an incredibly emotional time for Jackson that he brought Jackson to life so poignantly and vividly that I could do nothing but cry for Jackson Rivers.

Everything got amped up with this story...the action was fast paced, the heat between Ellery and Jackson was off the charts and yet there's so much more that remains to be seen... there are events that have yet to unfold and how things will end still remains to be discovered...but I'm definitely all in on this one.

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An audio book of 'A Few Good Fish' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy crap, that was a fast-paced story...and I really wish I'd re-read (or listened to) Racing for the Sun before tackling this one because Ace, Sonny, Ernie and Burton were such HUGE characters in this books (even though RftS is NOT part of the FOoW series, the characters DO cross over). I am actually going to put this on my re-read shelf (along with RftS, even though I wasn't all that big a fan) because I feel like I couldn't appreciate it as much as I wanted to. And I absolutely LOVE Ellery & Jackson so this should have been a big winner for me.

Greg, once again, nails the narration. I never have to worry about picking an audio book if his name is attached because, if nothing else, he will deliver on the performance.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars.

Amy Lane’s Fish Out of Water has quickly become one of my favourite romantic suspense series, mostly because I adore the two central characters, but also because the books are gritty, tightly plotted, sexy thrillers with intriguing storylines, plenty of snark and a large helping of angst.  It’s like they were written just for me :P  A Few Good Fish is the third instalment and if you pick it up without having read Fish Out of Water or Red Fish, Dead Fish, you’re likely to be a bit confused.  The books need to be read in order as there are overarching plotlines that reach a climax here, and while there’s some backstory given, readers will get far more out of A Few Good Fish if they’re familiar with the Story So Far.  Plus, the romance between hard-boiled PI Jackson Rivers and buttoned-up defence attorney Ellery Cramer begins in book one, and it’s important to understand where they’ve come from in order to fully appreciate where their relationship is now.

Spoilers ahead for the first two books.

When, in Fish Out of Water, Jackson Rivers’ brother, Kaden, is framed for the murder of a police officer, Jackson reaches out to defence attorney Ellery Cramer, insisting he’s Kaden’s best chance of beating a murder charge.  Jackson works as the PI for the defence firm where Ellery is the hot-shot up-and-comer, and while he makes no bones about the fact he thinks Ellery has a stick up his ass, he also knows the guy is cool under pressure, can take apart a witness like nobody else and that he’ll get the job done.  As the pair investigates and digs deep, they uncover links to police corruption going back years – back, in fact, to the time when Jackson, then a rookie cop, was shot and almost killed because he was a part of an investigation into that corruption.  Working together so closely also allows them to explore the attraction building between them; their sexual chemistry is off-the-charts, and Ms. Lane also adds a strong emotional dimension to their relationship, making it clear from the start that what’s between these two is much more than no-strings stress relief.

Although there’s a satisfactory conclusion to the main plotline, there are loose ends left over for Red Fish, Dead Fish, when a crazed killer – Tim Owens - who was part of the police corruption ring, brings things up close and personal for Jackson in a truly horrifying way.  It emerges that Owens is ex-military, and was part of some sort of secret program designed to train already violent, unstable men to become sadistic, psychopathic killers - and that Owens was just one of many put through it.

In A Few Good Fish, Ellery is set to defend a young woman accused of a hit-and-run killing.  Nanny Janie Isaacson had taken her charges to school, then stopped further along the road to allow someone to cross when a speeding “big blue… government car”  overtook her and hit and killed a pedestrian.  The driver then approached Janie and threatened her before driving away, and her description of the man makes Ellery’s blood run cold.  It fits Commander Karl Lacey, whom he’d questioned months earlier during the Tim Owens case – but why is Lacey in Sacramento when his base is miles away in Southern California?

Jackson and Ellery know they rattled some fairly dangerous cages by questioning Lacey and have been expecting repercussions… although they can’t deny they’d have liked a bit more peace, quiet and normalcy, time for Jackson to properly heal from his most recent injuries and for them to continue to adjust to life as a couple (which still freaks Jackson out).  When Jackson catches a kid trying to plant a tracker on their car, and then they find out that their home has been bugged, they realise they need to bring in reinforcements if they’re to gather the evidence and information they need in order to bring Lacey’s activities to the attention of the authorities who can close him down. Ace Aitcheson and Sonny Daye (from Racing for the Sun), both had dealings with Lacey and his methods, and are now living well under the radar in a tiny town in the middle of the desert.  Ellery and Jackson must drop off the grid to avoid detection by the bad guys while they continue to investigate; but the stakes are raised when Ellery and Ace are taken by Lacey’s men, and Jackson and Sonny find themselves having to do more than just recon and information gathering.

I’ve been looking forward to this third instalment in the series ever since I finished the second, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I could wish Jackson got to have a bit more recovery time between injuries (his three-legged bruiser of a tomcat Billy Bob might have nine lives, but Jackson doesn’t!), but that’s a minor gripe; A Few Good Fish is a riveting page-turner with high-stakes action scenes, an intriguing plot and two compelling, incredibly likeable central characters.

I said at the beginning that one of things I love about the series is the central couple, and Jackson and Ellery have become one of my favourite romantic pairings.  Jackson – who had a truly shitty childhood, has PTSD as a result of the shooting and is a mass of insecurities beneath the good-looks and charm – is so broken and yet so deserving of love, and Ellery wants badly to shoulder some of his burdens and give him that love – but Jackson is like Billy Bob; prickly and hard to get close to. His mother’s abandonment has translated into a tendency to push people away before they can leave him, but fortunately for Jackson, Ellery is tenacious and insightful; it’s clear early on that he’s got Jackson’s number and isn’t about to let him pull any of his usual crap.  Life has prepared Jackson only for the fact that he doesn’t deserve the good stuff, and he finds it difficult to accept that someone like Ellery – rich, well-adjusted and successful – truly wants to be with him.  But by the time A Few Good Fish opens, Jackson has begun to hope – cautiously – that life isn’t going to crap on him all the time. He and Ellery are living together as a couple and he’s got used to the idea that Ellery actually wants to ‘keep him’.  He’s grumpy and awkwardly sweet on occasion, and I love watching him gradually opening himself up to Ellery and letting him know him.  Ellery is the more straightforward character of the two, and on occasion, he’s overshadowed by the force of nature that is Jackson Rivers, but he’s very much Ying to Jackson’s Yang, and the two complement each other perfectly. Plus – Jackson enjoys Ellery’s bossy streak 😉 There are some great secondary characters – notably the feisty Jade (Jackson’s former girlfriend) and Ellery’s formidable mother; plus Ace and Sonny and a new – and intriguing – couple I believe will feature in a companion novella at some point.

While this particular case is closed, Ms. Lane seems to be paving the way for more  Fish  stories, and I’ll be there to snap them up.

Oh, and one more thing.  Best. Resignation Letter. Ever. *wink*

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series, so much! It has just the right mix of suspense, romance, humor, and banter.

A Few Good Fish picks up a couple months, or so, after the end of book 2. Jackson, who has been shot, stabbed, beat all to hell all through this series is almost back on his game. Almost. The bad guy wasn't finished gunning for him and Ellery, though, so you know they both will be sent through the gauntlet in this book.

And boy are they ever! I tell you what, I'm glad I live a boring life. The sheer amount of near-death experiences that Ellery, and especially Jackson survive is mind-boggling. I may have had to suspend my disbelief just a touch, but I'm good with that. I like my suspense stories fast paced and action packed, and this book and series deliver that in spades.

I really loved watching Jackson and Ellery's relationship really hit its stride, too, as Ellery helped Jackson break down his walls. They're not alone, though, and - just like the other books in this series - family (both blood and chosen) plays a crucial role.

In fact, I only have a couple niggles with the story and they are of the personal preference variety and in no way take away from the story at large.

This series has been a joy to read and I'm glad Amy Lane decided to give romantic-suspense a shot! I definitely recommend this series.

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ARC of A Few Good Fish was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two quotes that show how uterly beautiful, stupidly romantic and batshit ridiculous this couple is....

Quote 1:

“Baby…,” he whispered, reaching up to brush Jackson’s cheek.
His fingers came away wet.
“I want to go home,” Jackson whispered. “I want to go home with you.”
Angry, painful cleansing tears pushed behind his eyes, pushed at his throat.
“I want that more than anything,” Ellery said gruffly. “Even my job.”
Jackson nodded and stopped fighting them. He was just so tired of fighting.
Ellery stayed there by his side, stroking his hand, his forehead, his arm, while Jackson purged the fear, the terrible soul-crushing anxiety that had stopped his breath since before they’d left Sacramento.
It wasn’t until Ellery held Jackson’s hand to his cheek that he realized Ellery was crying too.

Quote 2:

Tears prickled behind Ellery’s eyes. “I’m going to say the cornball thing here. You ready for it?”
“Shoot,” Jackson told him and then giggled, obviously teetering on the edge of his own exhausted nap. “I mean, go ahead. I’m fucking done with shooting for a while.”
“You are my home. Do you need to throw up?”
Jackson giggled some more. “If I did, at least I’d know you wouldn’t run away screaming.”
“I can hardly move to call for takeout,” Ellery muttered, “but no, I’m pretty sure I proved that.”

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy the dynamic of Ellery & Jackson. This series continues with military psychos trying to kill certain people and of course Ellery & Jackson get in the way ! Jackson has some real deep issues based on his childhood and while he loves Ellery with every breath he still struggles to trust and accept someone could love him. Ellery is madly in love with Jackson and works overtime to prove it. There’s lots of pace in this book. A very enjoyable crime thriller.

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant.

The blurb seems to suggest that after all the ‘Jackson bashing’ in books 1 and 2, Ellery would be at the brunt of things this time.

While yes, there is some (but much less than I anticipated), the main focus of this book is decidedly on Jackson's character development.
Previous events have left him physically and emotionally scarred and ‘broken’ to the point of falling apart. The belief that good things, in whatever form they come, NEVER last, is deeply ingrained:

“It was a beautiful dream, being with this one person who loved him. He would warm himself by that dream and wake up in its bed every day and every night – but he wasn’t sure if he could ever really inhabit that dream.”

THIS is at the very core of Jackson's problems, and shaking it is proving a mammoth task. As is the
belief that he can rely on more people than a selected few. LOVED the little band of guys who help Jackson and Ellery out, in so many more ways than getting rid of some evil f*****s.

Interesting how the author introduces a religious (the Rabbi) and a transcendental element (Ernie) to tackle Jackson’s issues head on. And of course, Taylor (Ellery’s mum) really shines here, too. I love that badass, wonderful woman almost as much as Jackson and Ellery.

I honestly can’t even touch upon the depth of meaningful conversations, of hard truths spoken and emotions stirred.

As for Ellery … wow. His strong belief in justice, doing what’s right and defending his own personal life, have led him from bespoke suits and a courtroom life to getting into the thick (and thickest!) of things. I can only take my hat off to his resilience, innate goodness and his willingness to fight in the full knowledge that it will change his life forever.

On the humorous side, Jackson’s ‘fractious relationship’ with cars is really hilarious. Not even mentioning the amount of phones they are going through!
Also ADORED the tender heat, the sizzling desire, but mostly the beautiful, swoon-worthy bond between Jackson and Ellery which keeps blossoming and developing. First class relationship development is all I can say!

I could go on waxing lyrical, but … the next book is waiting!

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread and Relisten: December 2023

This is my favorite of the series so far, now I am excited to get to book 5! I don't think I need to read book 4 since its about Burton and Ernie.

Original Read and Listen: April 2021
Audio: 5 stars
Book: 4.5 stars

This one is definitely my favorite so far. to me there weren't any lulls that i felt and the action and suspense were great.

i am now debating continuing.. because this is the last book with an audiobook... yes that shouldn't be the deal breaker, but when you hear Greg Tremblay narrate this series you don't want to just read this in your own head like a peasant haha.

I guess we will see if i continue haha

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 73%

I never dreamed I would DNF a story from a much loved series, especially not this one. The author has let me down in the most profound way. With her inclusion of all that religious bullshit, right in the readers' faces, she has disappointed and insulted me. Does she think all her readers are "believers"? Or is she simply ignorant that a significant percentage of our world does NOT believe in gods, heaven, hell or eternal damnation? Or does she simply not care that some of us find it offensive that she writes as if all of us buy into it? That maybe we are lacking if we don't drink the kool-aid?

Jackson didn't need a church, a priest or rabbi, or prayers. He desperately needed professional psychiatric counselling!

Ok, obviously I'm upset. This was one of my favorite series and I was so tickled the author ventured into a suspense-thriller story line. But I draw the line at this utter nonsense. I'm done.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Few Good Fish by Amy Lane

3rd book in the Fish Out of Water series. M-M romantic suspense, legal thriller.
Can be read as a standalone. I have not read the previous books and had no trouble following along.
In this story, a lawyer and his partner defend an innocent against former military mercenaries at the baseline. Family, friends and even a touch of faith dynamics played a part in the story.

Great action and quite a bit of dry humor. I listened to the audio version which was compelling and well acted. The sex scenes felt almost voyeuristic. Wow.

The overlapping characters from previous books does make me want to go back and read the ones I missed.
Bottom line, the relationships are tight and the characters grow making it a wonderful adventure.

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stellar third entry continues Ellery and Jackson’s search for the origins of serial killer Tim Owens and has cemented this series position on my favorites list. Amy Lane is also crossing characters over from earlier books. The opening chapter includes Ace and Sonny, MC’s in Racing For the Sun, Lee Burton, mentioned there as well as in Red Fish, Dead Fish plus Ernie, a new character. (That’s right, Burt and Ernie!) Much like the first two books, the action starts out with a literal bang, the plot rocketing along a dangerous trajectory to a thrilling, explosive finish. That’s not hyperbole, the excitement and danger is riveting, thrilling and heart wrenching. Amy’s style still seeds humor among the pathos, as neither Jackson or Ellery ever miss an opportunity for astute, witty and/or sarcastic observations. They also provide tender displays of support and validation for each other when making tough decisions. I just love this couple and the family members that populate the pages beside them. Besides the fact that between the sheets scenes are smokin’ hot!

Ace and Sonny play a big part but you don’t have to read Racing For the Sun, as it’s outlined enough in book 2 which includes an additional ficlet covering their first meeting with Ellery and Jackson. Lee Burton is mentioned as well but Ernie is an entirely new figure. I’m not sure how I feel about throwing a psychic into the mix, as I’m not a big fan of anything paranormal. It wasn’t overdone, didn’t throw me out of the story at all and I’m sure most readers will wonder what my problem is! This feels a little like a finale for Ellery and Jackson, although the door is left cracked open enough to give me hope they’ll be featured again. Book four is coming soon but will be about Burt and Ernie. This does not stand alone in my opinion, so read the first two books beforehand. If you’re a fan of crime-fighting couples like in the Cut and Run series or Mary Calmes Marshal’s series, I’m confident Ellery and Jackson will be favorites as well.

*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or a promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review for Jessie G Books Reviews blog*

[BevS · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 superb stars for the audio from Greg, 4 stars rounded up for the story. As far as the audio is concerned, I liked Greg's interpretation of Burton and Ernie, although Ace's southern accent was a little creepy and Sonny was just...Sonny 🤨. The best part of the entire audio however [for me anyhoo] was Greg's extremely emotional and impassioned vocalisation of Jackson in the hospital chapel pleading for God to save Ellery's life...absolutely masterful, sighs. I defy anyone not to shed a few tears...💙💚💛🧡💜

Unfortunately I thought most of the storyline was a tad underwhelming to say the least; it was almost as if Ms Lane didn't know herself how the story should end and ran out of ideas...it whimpered rather than went out with a bang. The main mastermind got what he so richly deserved, but an 'accomplice' got away with what was left of the super-killing mindless military men and they were not heard of again...but only after they'd tried [and failed yet again] to kill Jackson, Ellery and their 'family'...nope, I'm sorry but cretins like that just don't disappear into the woodwork forever with the government's tacit approval, not buying it at all. The CIA or whoever does the US government killing for them nowadays with that muppet in charge [and of course it happens on US soil, it's not just fiction...don't let them tell you otherwise] would be all over that like bees on honey.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite book of the series so far. I mean granted I’ve enjoyed them all, but for some reason I really loved this one. I think it’s partially because we’re seeing Jackson start to heal or at least face the dark sides of himself. Ellery is so awesome in his support and his heart. They're just such a great duo and well all the other characters that get thrown into the crossover of this one were great too. I'm definitely really enjoying this series and am happy that it's going to continue.

All of the crazy that has been surrounding Ellery and Jackson lately comes to a bit of a head in this one. A lot more details are discovered, and of course things go a little off the rails. But I'll accept a few over the top moments for the sake of an entertaining story. Sure some of it's a bit unrealistic, but it still works for me. It's the fun kind of action that keeps you interested rather than the absolutely unbelievable sort that throws you out of a story.

I liked all the couples in this book, I've enjoyed them in the past and I really liked their interactions in this story as well. I'm looking forward to the next book even though the focus looks like it'll be Ernie and Burton rather than Jackson and Ellery.

[Calila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and couple so much. Ellery and Jackson are so great together. They really just make so much sense. I enjoy reading about a "solid" couple. They're it for each other. They know it. They're happy about it. No external factor is going to get in between them without a fight. And fight they do. This story requires a little bit of suspension of disbelief but not as much as some other series I could name. It doesn't get too outlandish and unrealistic. Though really, I feel like Jackson should've died like 5 times, at least. But that's part of the fun. They're not experts. They're not super trained "heroes". They just are good guys who won't back down when they know they're doing what's right. The "action" aspect of the plot was good. It's wrangled well for the most part. I'm a little hmm about the deal that's made but I get why it's made so I can live with it. I enjoyed the deep dive into Jackson's trauma and seeing him work through it. Ellery also had some residual trauma to work through and I really like how they accomplish it. I really liked the supporting characters as well. I thought I had read Sonny/Ace's book but apparently I haven't. Oops. I need to fix that. And I need to read Burt/Ernie's asap too.

[Devanshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ellery?”
“Yeah?”
“You make being me not such a bad thing.”

This book took me months to read. Not because it was bad but because every single page I read made me want to bawl my eyes out. Jackson breaks my heart. I want to bubble wrap him like Ellery and protect him from everything. God he kills me.

The author's writing is so brilliant every word pulls strings inside me. I hope to God Jackson understands that he deserves to be loved😭.

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this! It was so so good!

This whole series has been amazing, and I couldn't get enough of this book, couldn't put it down unless I had to.

This book starts about two or so months after the events of the second book. Jackson is almost all the way healed - except his arm still pains him - and he and Ellery are slowly getting more and more solid together, deeper and deeper into their love and relationship.

But the threat is nowhere near over, unfortunately. Lacey is still out there, and on a Sunday morning Jackson catches a kid trying to put something on Ellery's car - and it turns out to be much more than a punk kid doing bad shit to do bad shit. No, it's much more than that.

I don't want to get too much away int his because so much gets revealed and there are exciting twists and turns - as much as they are tense and keep you on the edge of your seat - but I will say that Ace and Sonny come up again, and Jackson and Ellery have to involve them for a little bit to get answers, because they're connected to the whole big case in their own way, but when Ace gets mistaken for Jackson, and he and Ellery get taken...well, it's a race to save the men Jackson and Sonny love.

And that's all I'll say on that, because you'll just have to read the book on your own to find out what happens.

We do get introduced to a new couple, Ernie and Burton (and yes there is a joke in the book about Ernie and Bert from Sesame Street in this lol) that were sweet, although we didn't much of them. I liked them, though.

Jackson and Ellery continue to be amazing together - just *happy sigh* them together is just gold - and I LOVE reading Ellery continuing to break down Jackson's brick walls on top of brick walls. They love each other fiercely and passionately, and this is what I love in romance books, a romance that works, that has chemistry and such a fierce, strong love, that is unconditional and heart warming and just...*happy sigh* is all I say!

Also, of course the sex between them continues to be smokin' hot. Like DAMN. More please :D

Highly, HIGHLY recommend this book if you've been keeping up with this series, and also if you haven't started these books, please do! You don't regret it, even with all the angst and all the shit Jackson and Emery continue to go through - but continue to fight through, with each other at the other's side, always.

5 massive thumbs up from me! <3

***ARC provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars (B+) for the story, 5 for the narration.

I reviewed the print version of this when it came out last August, so I won't rehash that here.

The attraction of this series in audio is, of course, the splendiferous Greg Tremblay who once again does a fantastic job of the narration, especially in some of the really, really emotional scenes in the second half. The best narrators are all excellent vocal actors of course, but GT always pulls out the stops and doesn't hold back at those key moments of intense emotion... the scene in the hospital chapel SLAYED me..

I don't know if this series is going to continue (Hiding the Moon is billed as book four in the series, but it's an offshoot, really, and a crossover with Racing for the Sun) - but I do hope for more Jackson and Ellery, who've become firm favourites.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.75 stars

A Few Good Fish is the third book in Amy Lane’s fabulous suspense series, Fish Out of Water, and it is my favorite installment so far. For me this book is the perfect combination of romance and suspense, and pulls together the storylines that have been building up over the past two books just perfectly. Given that this book continues story threads from earlier in the series, you will want to have read the first two books before reading this one. Like Red Fish, Dead Fish, this book also connects with Lane’s Racing for the Sun, and Sonny and Ace are significant side characters here. So its a definite bonus if you are familiar with their story as well.

This book focuses both on Jackson and Ellery and their growing relationship, as well as advancing the larger series suspense plot, and Lane does an excellent job really developing both here. From a relationship end, things are solid between these guys and I just love them together. Jackson is still prickly and worries he isn’t good enough for Ellery and requires so much managing to keep himself out of trouble it is insane. And yet, somehow being with Ellery soothes him like nothing else. Jackson has come to accept his need for Ellery and Ellery quite clearly needs him back. What I like here is that Jackson may be the more street smart, the one that is outwardly tougher, but Ellery is his champion, his “bear eater” as they say in the book. I love how Ellery can take care of Jackson and helps ease his demons. The love that these guys have for each other is palpable and it is quite clear neither could make it without the other.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. So I devoured the 3 books of this series.
I LOVED it. Jackson and Ellery were so strong and stubborn and adorable together.
The story was really good too.
I was completely into it.

Jackson Grew up with an addict mother. He has to learn rather quickly that he couldn't count on anybody but himself, until his friends mother's took him in. Then he found himself a family.
However, as he tried to became a cop and did everything he could to be good... Life was a bitch to him once again...
So here he is 8 years later working as a PI in a law firm, hell is about to break loose. Assassins, Military gone mad. Dirty cops. Shootings... And Jackson lusting after defense attorney Ellery Cramer.
Thinking he is no good for him...



Ellery of course is lusting just as much and when Jackson come to him for help he does not hesitate...

I really loved everything about these books.
The story. The building of Jackson and Ellery relationship. Their banter. the secondary characters. EVERYTHING.

I saw that the 4th book is a new couple and as we meet them in the 3rd book I'm intrigue so I'll go get it but this couple... Definitely n my favorite!!

[Bookreader87(Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Stars for audio because Greg Trembley is still incredible.
3.75 Stars for the story because why is an attorney and a P.I. taking on so much.

Overall another solid story. I really am growing to like Ellery and Jackson. Their relationship is still going strong but, it seems, they are still finding trouble. This time they enlist the help of their misfit group of friends. They now have Ace, Sunny, Ernie (a psychic of sort) and Burton. Together they hope to bring down the man responsible for creating cold blooded killers like Owens. However, when taking on such a task consequences for all parties will be had in the end.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was only a regular level of excruciating since Amy Lane writes the tension very well. I do wish that poor Jackson didn’t spend half the first two books in the hospital...it’s becoming his second home. Ellery isn’t going to escape unscathed this time either. Readers of this series will cherish the moments when Jackson feels at peace and trusts what he and Ellery share together. Things aren't necessarily any easier for Jackson and Ellery, so be prepared for a rough ride but also enjoy their developing relationship and wonderful friends including Billy Bob, Jackson's three-legged cat who is now also missing a few other essential parts:)

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please tell me this isn’t the last book in this series! Amy Lane had not done an action adventure thriller before this series, but she certainly knocked it out of the ballpark when she matched up a wealthy, handsome, gay, high-powered defense attorney, Ellery Cramer, with the bisexual office PI, Jackson Rivers, who grew up virtually on the streets.

In this third installment, the committed couple planned to take a bit of time to allow Jackson to recover from their last encounter with the powerful rogue soldier, Colonel Lacey, who is apparently selecting certain soldiers to be brainwashed into being killing machines—assassins for hire. Unfortunately, quite by accident, a case falls into Ellery’s lap that is connected, and the two are off on an adventure again in an effort to clear a young nanny’s name in a hit-and-run investigation.

They didn’t know, however, that their every move was being monitored by Lacey and his cohorts through bugs placed in their phones, their vehicles, and in their home—including their bedroom, where the two allow their secrets and their desires free reign. Deciding to get this guy once and for all, they head toward San Diego, his base of operations, after securing their loved ones in safe houses with extra protection.

As unlikely as it might seem, they renew an acquaintance and end up working closely with Ace and Sonny from Racing for the Sun, a story I read quite a long time ago. Now that the author has tied the characters and the circumstances surrounding their meeting and eventual relationship together, I have to go back and read that one again. I need more of those two. And as an aside, I need more of their lodger, Lee Burton, and his new love interest, Ernie (yes—Ernie and Burt!). Both men are instrumental in the plot to get “the bad guys” in this story but their journey to happiness is just beginning so more, more, more, please.

This story has everything I love—super villains, kidnapping, injury, hospital vigils, strong characters, revisits with former MCs, romance, hot sex, supportive family and friends, surprises, explosions, and more. What’s not to like? And by the way, I do believe Lucy-Satan is my new all-time favorite secondary character. That’s Jackson’s pet name for Ellery’s mother. A strong personality, highly intelligent, a force of nature, intuitive, and able to present as a concerned and loving mother one moment and a stubborn attorney and businesswoman in the next. Seriously, it’s really nice to see multiple female characters important to the story who are strong and supportive, instead of nasty and twisted.

There were so many characters in this cast who deserve attention and kudos but not enough space on this page so I’ll just say that this story deserves attention not only for the high caliber of the adventure, but also of the characters—main, secondary, and pets.

Very highly recommended.

ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.

[Rachel Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just blown away by the magnificence of this series and this story in particular, Amy Lane has just WOWed me.

I listened to the audio of this whole series and Greg Tremblay did such an amazing job voicing everyone - I had to sit in my car after it was all over and just take it all in. I am so in love with Jackson and Ellery, Ace and Sonny - all these damaged boys and their love and dedication for the other.

Superb. Just superb.

I can't wait for the next book with Jackson and Ellery starting their own business and doing stuff their way. I'm sure some more crap will come up but these two are SO end game and one of my favorite couples now. And dammit, I want a wedding! These two deserve some time off the grid in like the Maldives where all they have to do is wake up, roll over, and slide down into the water. These two deserve that.

Read this series! OMG read this series. Read Racing For the Sun after the second Fish book and before this one. I came close to not doing that, and I'm so, so glad I listened to that one first.