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Finley Creek #10
Stand Next to Me
◆◆◆◆◆ TAMING THE BEAST?
—NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. ◆◆◆◆◆
Not when the beast is Major Crimes Detective Jake MacNamara. Sparks fly between them every whenever they meet. Shelby Jacobson doesn't have time to deal with him.
Especially now.
He is just getting in Shelby’s way as she finally fights to keep a promise made long ago.
◆◆◆ HE LIVES FOR THE JOB. ◆◆◆
The TSP and being a cop is so deeply entrenched in his soul Jake doesn’t know where the Texas State Police ends and he begins.
But… he has always wanted Shelby. And sometimes the woman who had inherited millions just gets too close. Tempts him too much.
That makes him a bit…surly…where the sweetly shy lady is concerned.
He knows he’s an ass to her, but it’s the only real defense he has against her.
Jake is made for work boots and cotton T-shirts—not donning tuxedos and attending charity benefits with a woman like her. He'll just keep his distance so he doesn't do anything stupid.
◆◆◆ BUT... ◆◆◆
Shelby has a secret so dark and dangerous people will kill to keep it hidden. Now she's found herself entangled in the biggest case of Jake’s career—with only one man who can protect her.
Only...Jake and the TSP might not be enough to keep her safe.
If Jake fails, Shelby will pay the price.
And Jake will lose the one woman he has ever loved forever.
★★★★★
Stand Next to Me takes place one year after the events of the Finley Disaster trilogy, and is a complete, stand-alone romantic suspense novel.
★★★★★
—NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. ◆◆◆◆◆
Not when the beast is Major Crimes Detective Jake MacNamara. Sparks fly between them every whenever they meet. Shelby Jacobson doesn't have time to deal with him.
Especially now.
He is just getting in Shelby’s way as she finally fights to keep a promise made long ago.
◆◆◆ HE LIVES FOR THE JOB. ◆◆◆
The TSP and being a cop is so deeply entrenched in his soul Jake doesn’t know where the Texas State Police ends and he begins.
But… he has always wanted Shelby. And sometimes the woman who had inherited millions just gets too close. Tempts him too much.
That makes him a bit…surly…where the sweetly shy lady is concerned.
He knows he’s an ass to her, but it’s the only real defense he has against her.
Jake is made for work boots and cotton T-shirts—not donning tuxedos and attending charity benefits with a woman like her. He'll just keep his distance so he doesn't do anything stupid.
◆◆◆ BUT... ◆◆◆
Shelby has a secret so dark and dangerous people will kill to keep it hidden. Now she's found herself entangled in the biggest case of Jake’s career—with only one man who can protect her.
Only...Jake and the TSP might not be enough to keep her safe.
If Jake fails, Shelby will pay the price.
And Jake will lose the one woman he has ever loved forever.
★★★★★
Stand Next to Me takes place one year after the events of the Finley Disaster trilogy, and is a complete, stand-alone romantic suspense novel.
★★★★★
538 pages, Paperback
Published December 20, 2021
About the author
Calle J. Brookes
104 books383 followersWho is Calle Jaye Brookes?
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or”eBook World”).
Does she have slight control freak tendencies? Yep. Why else would she chose to self-publish?
In her day job she gets to read romance novels. In her night job she gets to write them!
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made vampire babies, too.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or”eBook World”).
Does she have slight control freak tendencies? Yep. Why else would she chose to self-publish?
In her day job she gets to read romance novels. In her night job she gets to write them!
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made vampire babies, too.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 17, 2023
Stand Next to Me by Calle J. Brookes (Finley Creek Book 12).
All books by Calle J Brookes are stand-alone books, however the characters are linked in some way to other books/other series. There are as usual a lot of characters in this book to keep track of, with several secondary characters interacting with their romantic interests in preparation for their own books. For me this book was not as enjoyable as previous books. I liked Shelby and her self awareness that she needed to change her thinking and her determination to live her life on her terms. I had a hard time liking Jake, her romantic interest and at times for me his behaviour was questionable red flag material. I know it is fiction, but still, I held out hope that half way through the book the romantic interest would switch to the private investigator Naelin Lassiter.
Jake deserved to be the one in the bar with his friends saying "I was an idiot and she is the one who got away, but I still have my career with the TSP". Anyway, that did not happen.
Shelby and Jake got their Happy Ever After by the end of the book. There were a few questions answered regarding the corruption within the TSP but more, no doubt, will be revealed in the next set of books. I have mixed feelings about this book, 3 stars.
All books by Calle J Brookes are stand-alone books, however the characters are linked in some way to other books/other series. There are as usual a lot of characters in this book to keep track of, with several secondary characters interacting with their romantic interests in preparation for their own books. For me this book was not as enjoyable as previous books. I liked Shelby and her self awareness that she needed to change her thinking and her determination to live her life on her terms. I had a hard time liking Jake, her romantic interest and at times for me his behaviour was questionable red flag material. I know it is fiction, but still, I held out hope that half way through the book the romantic interest would switch to the private investigator Naelin Lassiter.
Jake deserved to be the one in the bar with his friends saying "I was an idiot and she is the one who got away, but I still have my career with the TSP". Anyway, that did not happen.
Shelby and Jake got their Happy Ever After by the end of the book. There were a few questions answered regarding the corruption within the TSP but more, no doubt, will be revealed in the next set of books. I have mixed feelings about this book, 3 stars.
May 5, 2026
The suspense aspect is good, the romance…not so much
The story is good as a whole, but the main male character absolutely sucked. Can we just stop normalizing the whole “he treats you like crap because he likes you so much” BS? It’s stupid and damaging. Ladies and gents, if someone treats you like that and actually takes pleasure from upsetting you they absolutely do not love you. They don’t even like you. Run away. Quickly and without regret or second chances, much less third or fourteenth ones. I wanted to like this guy because of the previous storyline, but he was portrayed as a complete insecure jerk in this book. I kept reading for the rest of the story, but I really disliked Jake. A lot.
The story is good as a whole, but the main male character absolutely sucked. Can we just stop normalizing the whole “he treats you like crap because he likes you so much” BS? It’s stupid and damaging. Ladies and gents, if someone treats you like that and actually takes pleasure from upsetting you they absolutely do not love you. They don’t even like you. Run away. Quickly and without regret or second chances, much less third or fourteenth ones. I wanted to like this guy because of the previous storyline, but he was portrayed as a complete insecure jerk in this book. I kept reading for the rest of the story, but I really disliked Jake. A lot.
January 5, 2022
Jake and Shelby🤩
As always a great story with multiple characters and goings ons but the main focus in this one is Jake, our older TSP Major Crimes Detective and Uncle to Izzie and Annie and Shelby, sister to the famous surgeon, Allen and sister-in-law to Izzie❣️
I really enjoy how this series brings back old favourite characters from past books but also how complex these worlds are with everything that happens…it definitely makes it more interesting and enjoyable❤️ Looking forward to what ever comes next and whoever comes next too😍
As always a great story with multiple characters and goings ons but the main focus in this one is Jake, our older TSP Major Crimes Detective and Uncle to Izzie and Annie and Shelby, sister to the famous surgeon, Allen and sister-in-law to Izzie❣️
I really enjoy how this series brings back old favourite characters from past books but also how complex these worlds are with everything that happens…it definitely makes it more interesting and enjoyable❤️ Looking forward to what ever comes next and whoever comes next too😍
December 22, 2021
I love Finley Creek and this is absolutely one of the best. The banter between Jake and Shelby was priceless and although she had so many issues , she did not hesitate to call Jake out whenever she could. Jake, once he pulled his head out of his ass was the perfect book boyfriend! However, I would not want to be a young woman in Finley Creek, I think that living there is like being on the front lines of a war. I cant wait until Charlotte's book!
December 25, 2021
Another absolutely fantastic read!
Calle J Brookes NEVER disappoints!! From her PAVAD series, to Masterson, and Finley Creek, I have enjoyed every up, down, twist, turn, and surprise from the very first page to the last...every book, without fail.
While I DO think this series is best enjoyed when read in order, it isn't necessary to read the other two series to enjoy THIS one...but I do highly recommend all three series!
Calle J Brookes NEVER disappoints!! From her PAVAD series, to Masterson, and Finley Creek, I have enjoyed every up, down, twist, turn, and surprise from the very first page to the last...every book, without fail.
While I DO think this series is best enjoyed when read in order, it isn't necessary to read the other two series to enjoy THIS one...but I do highly recommend all three series!
December 24, 2021
WOW!!!
This was a great story! Calle Brookes outdid herself this time. While many of the characters were introduced in other books, she never fails to weave a story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats. I am ready for the next book!
This was a great story! Calle Brookes outdid herself this time. While many of the characters were introduced in other books, she never fails to weave a story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats. I am ready for the next book!
February 2, 2023
Love Finds Away
I love this series now I see there is another Finley Creek TSP I can't wait to start it. I so enjoy this series . I would recommend these books to everyone. The things these girls went through is amazing.
I love this series now I see there is another Finley Creek TSP I can't wait to start it. I so enjoy this series . I would recommend these books to everyone. The things these girls went through is amazing.
January 9, 2022
Great book
Hard to put down. Just waiting to see what would happen next. It was suspenseful, heartwarming and just a great book
Hard to put down. Just waiting to see what would happen next. It was suspenseful, heartwarming and just a great book
January 11, 2022
Awesome book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews