Tag Team Review: Diplomatic Relations (Sci-Regency #4) by J.L. Langley

A Sci-Regency Novel: sequel to My Regelence Rake

Opposites don’t just attract... they sizzle.

A lusty special forces soldier who lives by his own set of rules, Dalton Fairfax decided long ago to stop wishing for his father’s love, and he found his calling. Now that he’s back home and between assignments, he finds himself at loose ends. When the opportunity arises to play bodyguard and help out his country, Dalton jumps at the chance. Not only does it keep him busy, but it just so happens that his charge is the man he saw on leave last month and hasn’t been able to get out of his head.

Heir to a dukedom and a conservative politician, Blaise Thompson strives to prove himself worthy of carrying on the family legacy as the next IN Councilman. However, his closest competitor keeps getting in the way and taking credit for Blaise’s ideas. Maintaining his stellar reputation isn’t easy to do while keeping his outrageous younger brother in line and foiling his rival’s personal attacks. He has no time for a guard and even less time for romance.

When a priceless antique goes missing, Blaise and Dalton discover that Regelence has larger problems than just IN plots. Now the only way to stop a scandal that threatens both of them is to compromise, and they are forced to confront the risk of losing everything… even each other.

Averaged!


R *A Reader Obsessed* - 4 Hearts

Again, consistent futuristic sci-fi with a historical vibe, I continue to enjoy the trope of the virginal young man and his efforts to stay so despite a deplorable rake who’s doing his darnedest to rectify the situation.

Here Dalton, the cousin of the Regelence princes who are prominent throughout this series, has sort of a reputation, one that he’s personally perpetuated due to some major unresolved issues with his dads. Though Dalton’s somewhat more respectable having served in the military, it’s hard to keep a good troublemaker down!

By the books Blaise, is an intergalactic diplomat in training. He’s had his whole life planned out for him, and that's just the way he likes it. However, when Dalton becomes his bodyguard, Blaise can’t help being bad right alongside him as they further uncover some unsavory things about the Intergalactic Navy who has its own sinister plan to rule the galaxy.

As always, the main mystery continues to flow through each installment, where small reveals are made towards exposing said tyrannical conspiracy. Though this wasn’t my favorite, Langley delivers on her theme of progressive high society and the men who love to break its rules. This had a nice dose of punch-you-in-the-guts feels, with a good dash of sexy.

Overall, I really just enjoy this royal family and all the shenanigans they get into and try to get out of. I impatiently look forward to their next adventure!

Adam - 3.5 hearts

These Sci-Regency books were some of the first MM reads I picked up, so this series is special for me. I was over the moon to hear that JL Langley was making her comeback with book #4!

‘Diplomatic Relations’ tells the story of rakish special forces soldier Dalton Fairfox and the more tightly-laced up-and-coming politician Blaise Thompson. The two very different men are thrown together by circumstance, and soon find that the connection between them can’t be denied.

It took me a while to get in to the book, as I re-familiarized myself with the various characters and what their connections to each other were, and how the different plotlines intersected.

Once I’d gotten that straightened out though, it was smoother sailing.

I love an opposites-attract romance, and ‘Diplomatic Relations’ delivers. Dalton eschews Regelence’s social norms and can’t be bothered with love or propriety. Blaise is the meek wallflower waiting for his knight in shining armour.

The two couldn’t be more different. Yet from the moment they meet, the sexual tension is undeniable.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Dalton bringing Blaise’s scandalous side out, and seeing Blaise love every moment of it.

The relationship borders on insta-love, and was definitely insta-lust. But the romance was very sweet and sexy.

However, their relationship isn’t all about the physical side of things. They slowly but surely become friends, and both reveal things to each other that they’ve kept bottled up for years.

They may be opposites, but they find in each other the one man who just really understands. It doesn’t take long for Dalton and Blaise to count the minutes until they can next meet.

My only complaint is that the political intrigue aspect of the book was unnecessarily drawn out. Nothing really happens, so the build up seemed like repetitive page filler.

The angst, when it does come, was completely understandable. But it didn’t take too long to be resolved, and Blaise and Dalton end with a brilliant happy ever after!

Overall I really liked ‘Diplomatic Relations’. It wasn’t the grandest romance in the series, but I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next!


Review copies were provided by the publisher in exchange for honest reviews.


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