diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bf52e64..60892fc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -109,10 +109,17 @@ Getting related models is easy, just use a query parameter `include`.
 
 ```js
 // returns all teams with their related City model
-// GET /teams?include=city
+// GET /teams?include=city or
+// GET /teams?include={"model": "City"}
 
 // results in a Sequelize query:
 Team.findAll({include: City})
+
+or if association defined with an alias
+// GET /players?include={"model": "Master", "as": "Couch"}
+
+// results in a Sequelize query:
+Players.findAll({include: Master, as: 'Couch'})
 ```
 
 If you want to get multiple related models, just pass multiple `include` parameters.
@@ -133,6 +140,56 @@ For models that have a many-to-many relationship, you can also pass the plural v
 Team.findAll({include: [Player]})
 ```
 
+Filtering by related models property, you can pass **where** paremeter inside each **include** items object.
+```js
+// returns all team with their related City where City property name equals Healdsburg
+// GET /teams?include={"model": "City", "where": {"name": "Healdsburg"}}
+
+// results in a Sequelize query:
+Team.findAll({include: {model: City, where: {name: 'Healdsburg'}}})
+```
+
+More complex example with nested include, association alias and association filtering.
+```js
+// returns all team with its players along with its couch of each player
+// GET /cities?include[]={
+//   "model": "Team",
+//   "include": {
+//     "model": "Player",
+//     "where": {
+//       "name": "Pinot"
+//     },
+//     "include": {
+//       "model": "Master",
+//       "as": "Coach",
+//       "where": {
+//         "name": "Shifu"
+//       }
+//     }
+//   }
+// }
+
+// results in a Sequelize query:
+City.findAll({
+  include: {
+   model: Team,
+   include: {
+     model: Player,
+     where: {
+       name: Pinot
+     },
+     include: {
+       model: Master,
+       as: 'Coach',
+       where: {
+         name: 'Shifu'
+       }
+     }
+   }
+  }
+})
+```
+
 ## `limit` and `offset` queries
 Restricting list (`GET`) and scope queries to a restricted count can be done by passing `limit=<number>` and/or `offset=<number>`.
 
diff --git a/src/associations/one-to-many.js b/src/associations/one-to-many.js
index d693172..37627f1 100644
--- a/src/associations/one-to-many.js
+++ b/src/associations/one-to-many.js
@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@ export default (server, a, b, names, options) => {
   update(server, a, b, names);
 };
 
-export const get = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const get = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'GET',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.singular}/{bid}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.singular}/{bid}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
         where: {
@@ -51,14 +51,14 @@ export const get = (server, a, b, names) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const list = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const list = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'GET',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
@@ -77,16 +77,16 @@ export const list = (server, a, b, names) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const scope = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const scope = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   const scopes = Object.keys(b.options.scopes);
 
   server.route({
     method: 'GET',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}/{scope}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}/{scope}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ export const scope = (server, a, b, names) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const scopeScope = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const scopeScope = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   const scopes = {
     a: Object.keys(a.options.scopes),
     b: Object.keys(b.options.scopes),
@@ -124,11 +124,11 @@ export const scopeScope = (server, a, b, names) => {
 
   server.route({
     method: 'GET',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.plural}/{scopea}/${names.b.plural}/{scopeb}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.plural}/{scopea}/${names.b.plural}/{scopeb}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const list = await b.scope(request.params.scopeb).findAll({
@@ -152,14 +152,14 @@ export const scopeScope = (server, a, b, names) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const destroy = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const destroy = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'DELETE',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
@@ -179,16 +179,16 @@ export const destroy = (server, a, b, names) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const destroyScope = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const destroyScope = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   const scopes = Object.keys(b.options.scopes);
 
   server.route({
     method: 'DELETE',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}/{scope}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}/{scope}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
@@ -221,14 +221,14 @@ export const destroyScope = (server, a, b, names) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const update = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const update = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'PUT',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.plural}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
diff --git a/src/associations/one-to-one.js b/src/associations/one-to-one.js
index ac71e31..629de26 100644
--- a/src/associations/one-to-one.js
+++ b/src/associations/one-to-one.js
@@ -14,14 +14,14 @@ export default (server, a, b, names, options) => {
   update(server, a, b, names);
 };
 
-export const get = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const get = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'GET',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.singular}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.singular}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export const get = (server, a, b, names) => {
 export const create = (server, a, b, names) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'POST',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{id}/${names.b.singular}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{id}/${names.b.singular}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@ export const create = (server, a, b, names) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const destroy = (server, a, b, names) => {
+export const destroy = async (server, a, b, names) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'DELETE',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.singular}/{bid}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.singular}/{bid}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
@@ -99,11 +99,11 @@ export const destroy = (server, a, b, names) => {
 export const update = (server, a, b, names) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'PUT',
-    path: `${prefix}/${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.singular}/{bid}`,
+    path: `${prefix}${names.a.singular}/{aid}/${names.b.singular}/{bid}`,
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       const base = await a.findOne({
diff --git a/src/crud-include.integration.test.js b/src/crud-include.integration.test.js
index 169781f..df342d2 100644
--- a/src/crud-include.integration.test.js
+++ b/src/crud-include.integration.test.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const STATUS_OK = 200;
 
 setup(test);
 
-test('belongsTo /team?include=city', async (t) => {
+test('belongsTo /team?include=city', async(t) => {
   const { server, instances } = t.context;
   const { team1, city1 } = instances;
   const path = `/team/${team1.id}?include=city`;
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ test('belongsTo /team?include=city', async (t) => {
   t.is(result.City.id, city1.id);
 });
 
-test('belongsTo /team?include=cities', async (t) => {
+test('belongsTo /team?include=cities', async(t) => {
   const { server, instances } = t.context;
   const { team1, city1 } = instances;
   const path = `/team/${team1.id}?include=cities`;
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ test('belongsTo /team?include=cities', async (t) => {
   t.is(result.City.id, city1.id);
 });
 
-test('hasMany /team?include=player', async (t) => {
+test('hasMany /team?include=player', async(t) => {
   const { server, instances } = t.context;
   const { team1, player1, player2 } = instances;
   const path = `/team/${team1.id}?include=player`;
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ test('hasMany /team?include=player', async (t) => {
   t.truthy(playerIds.includes(player2.id));
 });
 
-test('hasMany /team?include=players', async (t) => {
+test('hasMany /team?include=players', async(t) => {
   const { server, instances } = t.context;
   const { team1, player1, player2 } = instances;
   const path = `/team/${team1.id}?include=players`;
@@ -56,7 +56,18 @@ test('hasMany /team?include=players', async (t) => {
   t.truthy(playerIds.includes(player2.id));
 });
 
-test('multiple includes /team?include=players&include=city', async (t) => {
+test('belongsTo with alias /player?include={"model": "Master", "as": "Coach"}', async(t) => {
+  const { server, instances } = t.context;
+  const { team1, master1 } = instances;
+  const path = `/player/${team1.id}?include={"model": "Master", "as": "Coach"}`;
+
+  const { result, statusCode } = await server.inject(path);
+  t.is(statusCode, STATUS_OK);
+  t.is(result.id, team1.id);
+  t.is(result.Coach.id, master1.id);
+});
+
+test('multiple includes /team?include=players&include=city', async(t) => {
   const { server, instances } = t.context;
   const { team1, player1, player2, city1 } = instances;
   const path = `/team/${team1.id}?include=players&include=city`;
@@ -71,7 +82,7 @@ test('multiple includes /team?include=players&include=city', async (t) => {
   t.is(result.City.id, city1.id);
 });
 
-test('multiple includes /team?include[]=players&include[]=city', async (t) => {
+test('multiple includes /team?include[]=players&include[]=city', async(t) => {
   const { server, instances } = t.context;
   const { team1, player1, player2, city1 } = instances;
   const path = `/team/${team1.id}?include[]=players&include[]=city`;
@@ -85,3 +96,67 @@ test('multiple includes /team?include[]=players&include[]=city', async (t) => {
   t.truthy(playerIds.includes(player2.id));
   t.is(result.City.id, city1.id);
 });
+
+test('multiple includes /team?include[]=players&include[]={"model": "City"}', async(t) => {
+  const { server, instances } = t.context;
+  const { team1, player1, player2, city1 } = instances;
+  const path = `/team/${team1.id}?include[]=players&include[]={"model": "City"}`;
+
+  const { result, statusCode } = await server.inject(path);
+  t.is(statusCode, STATUS_OK);
+  t.is(result.id, team1.id);
+
+  const playerIds = result.Players.map(({ id }) => id);
+  t.truthy(playerIds.includes(player1.id));
+  t.truthy(playerIds.includes(player2.id));
+  t.is(result.City.id, city1.id);
+});
+
+test('include filter /teams?include[]={"model": "City", "where": {"name": "Healdsburg"}}'
+  , async(t) => {
+    const { server } = t.context;
+    const url = '/teams?include[]={"model": "City", "where": {"name": "Healdsburg"}}';
+    const method = 'GET';
+
+    const { statusCode } = await server.inject({ url, method });
+    t.is(statusCode, STATUS_OK);
+  });
+
+test('nested include filter ' +
+  '/citiy?include[]=' +
+  '{"model": "Team", "include": {"model": "City", "where": {"name": "Healdsburg"}}}'
+  , async(t) => {
+  const { instances, server } = t.context;
+  const { city1, team1, team2 } = instances;
+  const url = '/city?include[]=' +
+      '{"model": "Team", "include": {"model": "City", "where": {"name": "Healdsburg"}}}';
+  const method = 'GET';
+
+  const { result, statusCode } = await server.inject({ url, method });
+  t.is(statusCode, STATUS_OK);
+  t.is(result.id, city1.id);
+
+  const teamIds = result.Teams.map(({ id }) => id);
+  t.truthy(teamIds.includes(team1.id));
+  t.truthy(teamIds.includes(team2.id));
+});
+
+test('complex include ' +
+  '/cities?include[]={"model":"Team", ' +
+  '"include":{ "model":"Player", "where":{"name": "Pinot"}, ' +
+  '"include":{ "model":"Master", "as":"Coach", "where":{"name": "Shifu"}}}}'
+  , async(t) => {
+  const { instances, server } = t.context;
+  const { city1, master1, player2, team1 } = instances;
+  const method = 'GET';
+  const url = '/cities?include[]={"model":"Team", ' +
+      '"include":{ "model":"Player", "where":{"name": "Pinot"}, ' +
+      '"include":{ "model":"Master", "as":"Coach", "where":{"name": "Shifu"}}}}';
+
+  const { result, statusCode } = await server.inject({ url, method });
+  t.is(statusCode, STATUS_OK);
+  t.is(result[0].id, city1.id);
+  t.is(result[0].Teams[0].id, team1.id);
+  t.is(result[0].Teams[0].Players[0].id, player2.id);
+  t.is(result[0].Teams[0].Players[0].Coach.id, master1.id);
+});
diff --git a/src/crud.js b/src/crud.js
index be5cc6a..f7e0c72 100644
--- a/src/crud.js
+++ b/src/crud.js
@@ -5,16 +5,16 @@ import _ from 'lodash';
 import { parseInclude, parseWhere, parseLimitAndOffset, parseOrder } from './utils';
 import { notFound } from 'boom';
 import * as associations from './associations/index';
-import getConfigForMethod from './get-config-for-method.js';
+import getConfigForMethod, { sequelizeOperators } from './get-config-for-method.js';
 
 const createAll = ({
-  server,
-  model,
-  prefix,
-  config,
-  attributeValidation,
-  associationValidation,
-  scopes,
+    server,
+    model,
+    prefix,
+    config,
+    attributeValidation,
+    associationValidation,
+    scopes,
 }) => {
   Object.keys(methods).forEach((method) => {
     methods[method]({
@@ -35,27 +35,28 @@ const createAll = ({
 export { associations };
 
 /*
-The `models` option, becomes `permissions`, and can look like:
+ The `models` option, becomes `permissions`, and can look like:
 
-```
-models: ['cat', 'dog']
-```
+ ```
+ models: ['cat', 'dog']
+ ```
 
-or
+ or
 
-```
-models: {
-  cat: ['list', 'get']
-  , dog: true // all
-}
-```
+ ```
+ models: {
+ cat: ['list', 'get']
+ , dog: true // all
+ }
+ ```
 
-*/
+ */
 
 export default (server, model, { prefix, defaultConfig: config, models: permissions }) => {
   const modelName = model._singular;
   const modelAttributes = Object.keys(model.attributes);
   const associatedModelNames = Object.keys(model.associations);
+  const associatedModelAliases = _.map(model.associations, (assoc => assoc.as));
   const modelAssociations = [
     ...associatedModelNames,
     ..._.flatMap(associatedModelNames, (associationName) => {
@@ -71,13 +72,28 @@ export default (server, model, { prefix, defaultConfig: config, models: permissi
     return params;
   }, {});
 
-  const validAssociations = modelAssociations.length
-    ? joi.string().valid(...modelAssociations)
-    : joi.valid(null);
+  const modelsHasAssociations = modelAssociations && modelAssociations.length;
+  const validAssociationsString = modelsHasAssociations
+      ? joi.string().valid(...modelAssociations)
+      : joi.valid(null);
+  const validAssociationsObject = modelsHasAssociations
+      ? joi.object().keys({
+        model: joi.string().valid(...modelAssociations),
+        where: joi.object().keys({
+          ...attributeValidation,
+          ...sequelizeOperators,
+        }),
+        as: joi.string().valid(...associatedModelAliases),
+        include: joi.any(), // @Todo: should validate the same as associationValidation var below
+      })
+      : joi.valid(null);
   const associationValidation = {
-    include: [joi.array().items(validAssociations), validAssociations],
+    include: [
+      joi.array().items(validAssociationsString, validAssociationsObject),
+      validAssociationsString,
+      validAssociationsObject,
+    ],
   };
-
   const scopes = Object.keys(model.options.scopes);
 
   // if we don't have any permissions set, just create all the methods
@@ -91,11 +107,11 @@ export default (server, model, { prefix, defaultConfig: config, models: permissi
       associationValidation,
       scopes,
     });
-  // if permissions are set, but we can't parse them, throw an error
+    // if permissions are set, but we can't parse them, throw an error
   } else if (!Array.isArray(permissions)) {
     throw new Error('hapi-sequelize-crud: `models` property must be an array');
-  // if permissions are set, but the only thing we've got is a model name, there
-  // are no permissions to be set, so just create all methods and move on
+    // if permissions are set, but the only thing we've got is a model name, there
+    // are no permissions to be set, so just create all methods and move on
   } else if (permissions.includes(modelName)) {
     createAll({
       server,
@@ -106,7 +122,7 @@ export default (server, model, { prefix, defaultConfig: config, models: permissi
       associationValidation,
       scopes,
     });
-  // if we've gotten here, we have complex permissions and need to set them
+    // if we've gotten here, we have complex permissions and need to set them
   } else {
     const permissionOptions = permissions.filter((permission) => {
       return permission.model === modelName;
@@ -147,14 +163,14 @@ export default (server, model, { prefix, defaultConfig: config, models: permissi
   }
 };
 
-export const list = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
+export const list = async ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'GET',
     path: path.join(prefix, model._plural),
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
       const { limit, offset } = parseLimitAndOffset(request);
       const order = parseOrder(request);
@@ -174,14 +190,14 @@ export const list = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const get = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
+export const get = async ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'GET',
     path: path.join(prefix, model._singular, '{id?}'),
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
       const { id } = request.params;
       if (id) where[model.primaryKeyField] = id;
@@ -198,14 +214,14 @@ export const get = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const scope = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
+export const scope = async ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'GET',
     path: path.join(prefix, model._plural, '{scope}'),
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
       const { limit, offset } = parseLimitAndOffset(request);
       const order = parseOrder(request);
@@ -255,9 +271,9 @@ export const destroy = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
 
       if (!list.length) {
         return void reply(id
-          ? notFound(`${id} not found.`)
-          : notFound('Nothing found.')
-          );
+            ? notFound(`${id} not found.`)
+            : notFound('Nothing found.')
+        );
       }
 
       await Promise.all(list.map(instance => instance.destroy()));
@@ -284,9 +300,9 @@ export const destroyAll = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
 
       if (!list.length) {
         return void reply(id
-          ? notFound(`${id} not found.`)
-          : notFound('Nothing found.')
-          );
+            ? notFound(`${id} not found.`)
+            : notFound('Nothing found.')
+        );
       }
 
       await Promise.all(list.map(instance => instance.destroy()));
@@ -299,14 +315,14 @@ export const destroyAll = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
   });
 };
 
-export const destroyScope = ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
+export const destroyScope = async ({ server, model, prefix = '/', config }) => {
   server.route({
     method: 'DELETE',
     path: path.join(prefix, model._plural, '{scope}'),
 
     @error
     async handler(request, reply) {
-      const include = parseInclude(request);
+      const include = await parseInclude(request);
       const where = parseWhere(request);
 
       if (include instanceof Error) return void reply(include);
diff --git a/src/utils.js b/src/utils.js
index 6f547b5..db69992 100644
--- a/src/utils.js
+++ b/src/utils.js
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import { omit, identity, toNumber, isString, isUndefined } from 'lodash';
 import { notImplemented } from 'boom';
+import joi from 'joi';
+import Promise from 'bluebird';
 
 const sequelizeKeys = ['include', 'order', 'limit', 'offset'];
 
@@ -8,7 +10,7 @@ const getModels = (request) => {
   const noRequestModels = !request.models;
   if (noGetDb && noRequestModels) {
     return notImplemented('`request.getDb` or `request.models` are not defined.'
-                   + 'Be sure to load hapi-sequelize before hapi-sequelize-crud.');
+      + 'Be sure to load hapi-sequelize before hapi-sequelize-crud.');
   }
 
   const { models } = noGetDb ? request : request.getDb();
@@ -16,31 +18,68 @@ const getModels = (request) => {
   return models;
 };
 
-export const parseInclude = request => {
+const getModelInstance = (models, includeItem) => {
+  return new Promise(async(resolve) => {
+    if (includeItem) {
+      if (typeof includeItem !== 'object') {
+        const singluarOrPluralMatch = Object.keys(models).find((modelName) => {
+          const { _singular, _plural } = models[modelName];
+          return _singular === includeItem || _plural === includeItem;
+        });
+
+        if (singluarOrPluralMatch) {
+          return resolve(models[singluarOrPluralMatch]);
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (typeof includeItem === 'string' && models.hasOwnProperty(includeItem)) {
+        return resolve(models[includeItem]);
+      } else if (typeof includeItem === 'object') {
+        if (
+          typeof includeItem.model === 'string' &&
+          includeItem.model.length &&
+          models.hasOwnProperty(includeItem.model)
+        ) {
+          includeItem.model = models[includeItem.model];
+        }
+        if (includeItem.hasOwnProperty('include')) {
+          includeItem.include = await getModelInstance(models, includeItem.include);
+          return resolve(includeItem);
+        } else {
+          return resolve(includeItem);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    return resolve(includeItem);
+  });
+};
+
+export const parseInclude = async(request) => {
+  if (typeof request.query.include === 'undefined') return [];
+
   const include = Array.isArray(request.query.include)
-    ? request.query.include
-    : [request.query.include]
+      ? request.query.include
+      : [request.query.include]
     ;
 
   const models = getModels(request);
   if (models.isBoom) return models;
 
-  return include.map(a => {
-    const singluarOrPluralMatch = Object.keys(models).find((modelName) => {
-      const { _singular, _plural } = models[modelName];
-      return _singular === a || _plural === a;
-    });
-
-    if (singluarOrPluralMatch) return models[singluarOrPluralMatch];
-
-    if (typeof a === 'string') return models[a];
-
-    if (a && typeof a.model === 'string' && a.model.length) {
-      a.model = models[a.model];
+  const jsonValidation = joi.string().regex(/^\{.*?"model":.*?\}$/);
+  const includes = include.map(async(b) => {
+    let a = b;
+    try {
+      if (!jsonValidation.validate(a).error) {
+        a = JSON.parse(b);
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      //
     }
 
-    return a;
+    return getModelInstance(models, a);
   }).filter(identity);
+
+  return await Promise.all(includes);
 };
 
 export const parseWhere = request => {
diff --git a/test/fixtures/models/master.js b/test/fixtures/models/master.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e221fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/fixtures/models/master.js
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+export default (sequelize, DataTypes) => {
+  return sequelize.define('Master', {
+    id: {
+      type: DataTypes.INTEGER,
+      primaryKey: true,
+      autoIncrement: true,
+    },
+    name: DataTypes.STRING,
+  }, {
+    classMethods: {
+      associate: (models) => {
+        models.Master.hasMany(models.Player, {
+          foreignKey: 'coachId'
+        });
+      },
+    },
+  });
+};
diff --git a/test/fixtures/models/player.js b/test/fixtures/models/player.js
index 0bc1d64..cf325a5 100644
--- a/test/fixtures/models/player.js
+++ b/test/fixtures/models/player.js
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ export default (sequelize, DataTypes) => {
         models.Player.belongsTo(models.Team, {
           foreignKey: { name: 'teamId' },
         });
+        models.Player.belongsTo(models.Master, {
+          foreignKey: 'coachId',
+          as: 'Coach',
+        });
       },
     },
     scopes: {
diff --git a/test/integration-setup.js b/test/integration-setup.js
index 190f958..64a5c84 100644
--- a/test/integration-setup.js
+++ b/test/integration-setup.js
@@ -14,15 +14,16 @@ const modelNames = [
   { Singluar: 'City', singular: 'city', Plural: 'Cities', plural: 'cities' },
   { Singluar: 'Team', singular: 'team', Plural: 'Teams', plural: 'teams' },
   { Singluar: 'Player', singular: 'player', Plural: 'Players', plural: 'players' },
+  { Singluar: 'Master', singular: 'master', Plural: 'Masters', plural: 'masters' },
 ];
 
 
 export default (test) => {
-  test.beforeEach('get an open port', async (t) => {
+  test.beforeEach('get an open port', async(t) => {
     t.context.port = await getPort();
   });
 
-  test.beforeEach('setup server', async (t) => {
+  test.beforeEach('setup server', async(t) => {
     const sequelize = t.context.sequelize = new Sequelize({
       dialect: 'sqlite',
       logging: false,
@@ -46,25 +47,33 @@ export default (test) => {
     });
 
     await server.register({
-      register: require('../src/index.js'),
-      options: {
-        name: dbName,
+        register: require('../src/index.js'),
+        options: {
+          name: dbName,
+        },
       },
-    },
     );
   });
 
-  test.beforeEach('create data', async (t) => {
-    const { Player, Team, City } = t.context.sequelize.models;
+  test.beforeEach('create data', async(t) => {
+    const { Player, Master, Team, City } = t.context.sequelize.models;
     const city1 = await City.create({ name: 'Healdsburg' });
     const team1 = await Team.create({ name: 'Baseballs', cityId: city1.id });
     const team2 = await Team.create({ name: 'Footballs', cityId: city1.id });
+    const master1 = await Master.create({ name: 'Shifu' });
+    const master2 = await Master.create({ name: 'Oogway' });
     const player1 = await Player.create({
-      name: 'Cat', teamId: team1.id, active: true,
+      name: 'Cat', teamId: team1.id, active: true, coachId: master1.id
     });
-    const player2 = await Player.create({ name: 'Pinot', teamId: team1.id });
-    const player3 = await Player.create({ name: 'Syrah', teamId: team2.id });
-    t.context.instances = { city1, team1, team2, player1, player2, player3 };
+    const player2 = await Player.create({
+      name: 'Pinot', teamId: team1.id, coachId: master1.id
+    });
+    const player3 = await Player.create({
+      name: 'Syrah', teamId: team2.id, coachId: master2.id
+    });
+    t.context.instances = {
+      city1, team1, team2, player1, player2, player3, master1, master2
+    };
   });
 
   // kill the server so that we can exit and don't leak memory