4⭐️ I thought the mystery in this one was fascinating. Gruesome and captivating. I also really like the all the side character plot developments. And 4⭐️ I thought the mystery in this one was fascinating. Gruesome and captivating. I also really like the all the side character plot developments. And we finally get some real communication between SJ and Malcolm! Yay! They’re inching their way to a relationship.
I really love how short and bite-sized these books are. I’m doing the audios and they’re just flying by. I do have to say that a better narrator could have been chosen. The voices that Curt Bonnem chooses to use for some of the characters is truly awful. But I’m getting used to it. ...more
4.5⭐️ This was so much better than the first book! I’m starting to get a better sense of Malcolm and Yoon and their individual insecurities and vulner4.5⭐️ This was so much better than the first book! I’m starting to get a better sense of Malcolm and Yoon and their individual insecurities and vulnerabilities. The tension between them is building and the small sweet moments between them are everything. I really liked the murder mystery. It was very simple, easy to follow, and well done. ...more
4.5⭐️ Tean’s waffling between Jem and Ammon was brutal in this one. This series is heavy on the love triangle, similar to the Hazard/Nico/Somers dynam4.5⭐️ Tean’s waffling between Jem and Ammon was brutal in this one. This series is heavy on the love triangle, similar to the Hazard/Nico/Somers dynamic but so much worse because Nico was sweet and Ammon is a total POS—and Tean’s refusal to see it is so frustrating. Fuckboy Ammon aside, I did really enjoy the banter and bonding between Tean and Jem in this one, and Tean finally having his moment of clarity was so satisfying and relieving. There’s not a whole lot of closure at the end, more of a tentative HFN, but I know they have another book in the Iron on Iron series which I will have to read soon. ...more
4.5⭐️ I enjoyed this one even more than book one. It felt very deep and meaningful as both Jem and Tean struggle to cope with their past traumas and d4.5⭐️ I enjoyed this one even more than book one. It felt very deep and meaningful as both Jem and Tean struggle to cope with their past traumas and dysfunctional/abusive family members, and begin to acknowledge their individual toxic coping mechanisms. I also loved Tean coming to terms with his Mormon upbringing and the explanation of the Mormon faith and how his family views him. I knew nothing of the religion so I really appreciate GA’s informative narration and dedication to making his characters as authentic and multidimensional as possible.
Jem and Tean are still only trying to love one another as friends at this point because neither of them is emotionally ready for a relationship, but I do love a good slow burn and I can’t wait for it to hit....more
4⭐️ It just wouldn’t be an GA series without an immense amount of drama and pain. This book punched me in a gut quite a few times. But it also made me4⭐️ It just wouldn’t be an GA series without an immense amount of drama and pain. This book punched me in a gut quite a few times. But it also made me laugh. Tean’s sullen attitude and his dark humor took a much-needed edge off from all the angst. Both Tean and Jem have sad and difficult lives and they hurt the hell out of each other just as much as they care for one another. And damnit, GA got me good with another story with a toxic ex-boyfriend that I want to punt into the sea. So much OM drama!! I liked the mystery in this one too, but it was very sad. I’m ready for some happy moments in book two, hopefully. But I know GA only likes to throw us scraps of good times. ...more
5⭐️ Wow. This may be my favorite book of the series. The relationship development was so good and so sad and so intense. I love how GA writes his char5⭐️ Wow. This may be my favorite book of the series. The relationship development was so good and so sad and so intense. I love how GA writes his characters as real, relatable people with flaws, and how he shows that growth is not a straight line and that life is full of ups and downs, gains and losses. The deep-dive into addiction especially got to me.
I cried multiple times. Especially for Theo and for Fer, they’re so alike in many ways with their family struggles. Every family member is a complete asshole except Fer. Thank god for Fer. I can’t wait to read his book.
I even felt for Cart. Yeah, I still don’t forgive the fucker for what he did in book 2, but I’m really glad he came back.
5⭐️ Intense rollercoaster of emotions. The mystery in this book was one of the more brutal and disturbing but so enthralling. There was also more rela5⭐️ Intense rollercoaster of emotions. The mystery in this book was one of the more brutal and disturbing but so enthralling. There was also more relationship development than we’ve seen so far from Theo and Auggie, so it was a great balance. I got some much-needed relief after the extreme trauma and pain of book two. And although there was still angst and pain—it just wouldn’t be a GA book without all that tension—I finally got the intimacy, communication, and passionate/steamy moments from Theo and Auggie that I’ve been craving. It’s such an intense ride following these men as they slowly start to acknowledge and work through their trauma both separately and together. ...more
3.5⭐️ So frustrating. The endless miscommunications, both past and present, between North and Shaw drove me insane. I seriously wanted to throw my pho3.5⭐️ So frustrating. The endless miscommunications, both past and present, between North and Shaw drove me insane. I seriously wanted to throw my phone. I don’t know how they can constantly say they’ve been best friends for 8 years and yet never actually talk to each other about anything important. I found all of it more annoying than angsty. I struggled to connect with them in this book. I know they both have so much trauma and hangups, and I felt for them at times, but they still frustrated me so much with their actions and refusal to just talk to one another.
The mystery in this one was too convoluted and dragged on too long. I was skimming by the end just to get it over with.
I’m not sure if I can continue with their books. I may try my luck with Auggie and Theo. ...more
4⭐️ So, I don’t think I’m as big of a fan of North and Shaw as I am Hazard and Somers. But I honestly don’t think any couple could live up to H&S in m4⭐️ So, I don’t think I’m as big of a fan of North and Shaw as I am Hazard and Somers. But I honestly don’t think any couple could live up to H&S in my mind.
It took me a while to warm up to these guys. Shaw is over-the-top strange and hard for me to picture, with his hippie style that doesn’t really match up to his personality. And North is like a watered-down Hazard. However, their dynamic really grew on me and I was hooked by their pain and mutual pining—the trauma and secrets between them. This stole the show for me and I’m excited to see how it all unfolds between them.
I don’t like Pari. I think she’s added just for laughs but she’s not funny.
The mystery plot was pretty good. Not GA’s best but not bad either. I’m more interested in finding out who the slasher is…which seems like it will be the overarching plot of the series.
Oh, and I hope Tucker dies a painful death… preferably via nine iron to the grey matter....more
4.5⭐️ The great thing about this series is that each book is so fast-paced, with so many interwoven elements of the mystery plot, romance, and charact4.5⭐️ The great thing about this series is that each book is so fast-paced, with so many interwoven elements of the mystery plot, romance, and character developments that even if one thing doesn’t really work for you, the rest of it will carry the weight.
I’ve had a difficult relationship with John-Henry Somerset throughout this journey. I’ve loved him at times and hated him at times. Whereas Hazard has a very consistent personality, JH is one of those people that masks his pain and struggles behind a wall of smiles and jokes. His kindness and patience will seem impenetrable… until they’re not. Until the other shoe drops. And JH really unraveled these past two books and we got to see behind his persona. This all just speaks to Gregory Ashe’s brilliance in his development of these characters. They feel like real people, flaws and all....more
5⭐️ oh, how this book made me cry! I loved everything about it. I love the addition of Colt! I love Hazard and Somers at parents. Hazard is so gruff an5⭐️ oh, how this book made me cry! I loved everything about it. I love the addition of Colt! I love Hazard and Somers at parents. Hazard is so gruff and protective, yet vulnerable and sweet where it counts. Somers is so funny and easy-going, the perfect counterbalance to Hazard’s intensity. I love Hazard’s mom. I love Evie. The murder mystery in this one was super messed up and sad. I loved it.
This is the spiciest book we’ve gotten so far, and the only book where H and S don’t have any real fights or relationship issues, which was a nice change of pace. I love these men as newly weds! ♾️...more
5⭐️ I spent most of this book hating Somers. He’s such a selfish prick sometimes, the way he hurts Hazard. But I’m not even mad about it because these5⭐️ I spent most of this book hating Somers. He’s such a selfish prick sometimes, the way he hurts Hazard. But I’m not even mad about it because these characters are written so well they feel like real people and real people are selfish pricks sometimes. People make mistakes in relationships and then they kiss and make up. And the make up at the end was super sweet. I guess I don’t hate Somers anymore. But I do hate Dulac. He’s a sketchy asshole. I hope Hazard beats the crap out of him.
I love this series. I think this may be the only series in existence that could be this damn long (this is book 10) and still hold my attention....more
5⭐️ This is a great collection of mini stories that slot between each larger book. I highly recommend downloading it first and reading them in order a5⭐️ This is a great collection of mini stories that slot between each larger book. I highly recommend downloading it first and reading them in order along with the series. They’re sweet and funny, with lots of banter and fun moments. The main books are so angsty that these lighter short stories really feel like a balm....more
5⭐️ Another banger. These two do not quit with the angst. I just want to scream at them to sit down and talk to each other. And then they do, and it’s5⭐️ Another banger. These two do not quit with the angst. I just want to scream at them to sit down and talk to each other. And then they do, and it’s so damn heartwarming and sweet. I can’t get enough of them.
The narrator of this series, Tristan James, is incredible. His deadpan delivery of his grumpy Hazard voice woven together with the flirty, witty playfulness of Somers is brilliant. Highly recommend the audiobooks....more
5⭐️ And the angst continues! I’m honestly so glad I continued with this series. Emery Hazard as an unemployed househusband, suffering from severe ptsd 5⭐️ And the angst continues! I’m honestly so glad I continued with this series. Emery Hazard as an unemployed househusband, suffering from severe ptsd and depression, and John-Henry lost and not knowing how to help him… it tugged at the deepest parts of my soul.
This book had the most intimacy and the most honest communication between the pair of any of the books so far. It doesn’t come easy—these two assholes never let anything come easily—but the fight is half the fun. And this installment felt like a much better place to leave off than the last one, more closure with the promise of new beginnings as Hazard opens his own private investigation firm.
I love them so much. Emery Hazard may become my entire personality this year. ...more
5⭐️ This series was worth every single second of pain and angst. I relished in it, and I live for stories that make me feel this much. This final book5⭐️ This series was worth every single second of pain and angst. I relished in it, and I live for stories that make me feel this much. This final book tied the whole series together so well. So much nail-biting suspense. So much emotion and funny banter. And those tender, sweet moments… ...more
4.5⭐️ Love the banter, so funny. Love Hazard and Somers together finally, even with the continued angst because they’re both so insecure and jealous a4.5⭐️ Love the banter, so funny. Love Hazard and Somers together finally, even with the continued angst because they’re both so insecure and jealous and tentatively optimistic about if their love can truly work. Love seeing Hazard with Somerset’s daughter. ...more
4.5⭐️ The banter in this one is everything! Hazard and Somers are so funny together. I love their partner dynamic. The angst almost killed me but they4.5⭐️ The banter in this one is everything! Hazard and Somers are so funny together. I love their partner dynamic. The angst almost killed me but they finally, fucking finally—in the last 10 pages of the goddamn book… ...more