Paternal Instincts Audiobook By Nicky James cover art

Paternal Instincts

Valor and Doyle, Book 8

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Paternal Instincts

By: Nicky James
Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
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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.

©2025 Nicky James (P)2025 Nicky James Contemporary Contemporary Romance Mystery Police Procedural Romance Fiction Suspense Heartfelt
Satisfying Conclusion • Gripping Mystery • Excellent Performance • Emotional Character Growth • Emotional Storytelling
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This final book in the Valor & Doyle series is everything I hoped for and more! I’m heartbroken it’s over, but Nicky James delivered the most perfect ending to an unforgettable series. I already know I’ll be re-listening to it again and again.

The birth of Aslan and Quaid’s baby was so emotional and beautiful, I was in tears! I love how these two, quirks and all, balance each other in the most heartfelt way. And even with everything going on in their lives, they still couldn’t let the case go because that’s exactly who they are. The mystery in this book was equal parts gripping and frustrating (in the best way). I didn’t figure it out until almost the end, and I loved that!

Truly, I have nothing negative to say—it was PERFECT.

The narration? Also perfect. Nick J. Russo is Valor & Doyle for me, and I’m so grateful the entire series was done with him. It wouldn’t have felt right with anyone else.

Author’s Note:
Nicky, your note at the end felt like a heartfelt conversation with a dear friend. Thank you for sharing something that was clearly so personal and emotional. I hope writing it brought you a bit of healing and that the joy you’ve given us through this book gives some back to you.

⭐️⭐️ 10 STARS ⭐️⭐️

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Listener received this title free

I’m sad to reach the end of this series but it was amazing! This last installment was perfect! The narration was spot on!

Great listen

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Listener received this title free

I loved this series and the final book was a perfect conclusion to an amazing love story. I am not a huge fan of series that follows the same couple in every book, but Valor and Doyle is an exception because of such delicious character and relationship development as well as some great mysteries in every book. This final book in the series has sit on the edge of my seat mystery that also somehow wraps up all the mysteries in early books connecting with my favorite character's stories and culminating moments in the last chapters. Narrator did a great job telling this beautiful story and giving voices to all the characters. Overall this was an amazing listening experience from the first book to the last. Loved It and highly recommend it.

I Loved it

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Listener received this title free

This whole book is a bonus. I loved every single thing about it. I am a huge fan of Quaid and Aslan, and I really didn’t think we would get another book by them, so when this book was teased, I was here for it.

If you are a fan of this series, you will not be disappointed in this book. We get a mixture of all our favourite characters and a case that needs solving. Man, oh man, was I mad with the mother and father of the missing child in this book. I kept yelling out, “Speak up, they can’t help you find him if you're keeping secrets!” I was getting so mad.

Nick J. Russo is Quaid and Aslan to me, and I honestly couldn’t imagine another narrator giving them their voices.

Oh, the tears I cried at the end. I swear Nicky brings out so many emotions, and then the author's note at the end. The way I want to hug her for giving us this, and what it must have taken for her to write it. All my love to you, Nicky.

🎧⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧

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Listener received this title free

Wow, what a perfect ending to an amazing series! Nicky James does it again! Another mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat, Aslan and Quaid become parents, and all the wonderful banter between everyone! It was just so freaking good, not to mention all the feels. Nick J Russo, as always, nailed his performance! He really makes all the characters come to life, and it just brings everything to the next level. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, it was all bittersweet, but was left with a happy heart! I can't express how much I loved this book and the entire series, and all the characters, I can't recommend it enough!

Absolutely Loved!!

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Listener received this title free

And with the eighth installment, that is a wrap on Valor and Doyle *waves empty box of tissues*

Oh my gosh, what a beautiful send off for these two. Ending with a bang, this finale neatly tied up any loose threads and enveloped their growing family with so much love, care, and support. They’ve grown immensely as individuals and as a couple, and there’s no doubt in my mind that they’ve earned their HEA. The case kept the suspense high and shone powerfully in the parallels that made it every bit personal to Quaid. Throw in Nick J. Russo’s superb narration, and you have blended together the perfect sauce.

Thank you, Nicky James, for your vulnerability, for breathing life into these characters, and for returning to share one last heartfelt glimpse into the next stage of their journey 💖

I will miss them so much!

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Listener received this title free

This is so bittersweet, an incredible book but I'm so sad it is the end. But a perfect ending, I love Quaid and Aslan so much. The mystery in this book is excellent, the writing crisp and the case to solve intricate. And oh! the feels! We get cameos from all our favorite secondary characters as well. I loved how the story wrapped up and the happy place we left their happy little family. ❤

Nick J Russo provides an excellent performance and I hear his voice in my head whenever I re-read these books. Nicky and Nick are the perfect author/narrator pairing. ❤

Fantastic... I will miss these guys so much!

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Listener received this title free

I adored this book when I read it and Nick J. Russo just slays the narration--Absolutely perfect! While I'm devastated this is the last book for our beloved Aslan and Quaid, what a way to go out. As Aslan and Quaid are preparing for the birth of their first child, they catch a last minute child abduction case. What follows is a roller coaster of a case that had me guessing at every turn, with small moments of them getting ready to be father's just expertly woven throughout. It all culminated in a whopper of a conclusion for the case, and the emotional and wonderful birth of their first child together. It was everything I hoped for them and more. I was completely choked up and crying tears of joy for them. Everyone we have grown to love throughout the series is back and was simply amazing support for Aslan and Quaid. While I am just bereft that it is over I could not have asked for a better ending for our beloved detectives. They will forever hold a special place in my heart. From that first angry kiss outside the precinct to their first date, to their wedding, and now their firstborn. We've been on an incredible journey with these two that I am so sad to see end but know they will absolutely live happily ever after!

Absolutely Perfect!

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Listener received this title free

This final installment of Valor & Doyle was everything I needed it to be. I laughed, I cried, I wished there was more... but honestly, I'll never be over these two. I'm so happy for them and their journey, and I'll be rereading these books every year. At least.

I miss them already!

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Thank you, Nicky and Nick, for bringing this final chapter in Aslan and Quaid’s love story to such a beautiful and satisfying end. Although I had some quibbles with the mystery here — Crow’s kidnapper was so obvious! — that takes nothing away from the joy I felt while listening to this heartwarming, immensely rewarding book. Happy life, A and Q! It’s been a pleasure taking this journey with you. 💕

All the feels

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