Transactional Dynamics

Hazard and Somerset: A Union of Swords #3

by Gregory Ashe, Tristan James (Narrator)

Emery Hazard is ready for Valentine’s Day. He’s made reservations months in advance, he’s ordered flowers, and he’s got a boyfriend he wants to treat right—even if John-Henry Somerset occasionally lets the dishes sit in the sink a little too long. They even have an extra reason to celebrate this year: Somers has received a special commendation for his police work.

Everything begins to go wrong, though, when Hazard’s ex-boyfriend shows up on their doorstep. Billy claims he just needs help getting away from an abusive partner, but Somers believes Billy has other motives, including designs on Hazard.

When men who have been hired to track Billy show up in Wahredua, Hazard agrees to help his ex elude them. But as Hazard prepares to sneak Billy out of town, a woman is murdered behind the local gay bar, and Somers’s investigation leads him towards Hazard’s ex.

As Hazard and Somers find themselves working together to find the killer, they both must confront a hard truth: everything comes at a cost—career success, healthy relationships, and even justice. The only question is if they’re willing to pay the price.

Genres: Mystery, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Crime, LGBT, Audiobook

12 pages, Audible Audio

First published March 27, 2020

About the author

I'm a long-time Midwesterner. I've lived in Chicago, Bloomington (IN), and Saint Louis, my current home. Aside from reading and writing (which take up a lot of my time), I'm an educator.

While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!

My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.

Reviews

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread - September 2021

Gaaaaaah!loved it even more. 😍 😍 Greg is still mean. 😤😭

*****************************
Audiobook - 4.5 stars

Story - 5+++++ stars

He. Is. Mine.

The best one in this series. So intense, heartbreaking and beautiful.

The story and the audiobook was perfection. Tristan James brought the characters to life. The writing is great as always, gritty, in your face, honest, packed full of feels.

I am deeply in love with Hazard and Somers.❤️ Their relationship is so intense and real. I am rooting for them all the way.

Hazard and Somers relationship takes the lead in this one, and boy, it doesn't get more real than this. I am happy that it's not all roses and perfection, we get to see day to day. They argue about chores, Evie's ballet slippers, leaving the dirty dishes around, etc. It is these small things that make their relationship feel real.

I was heartbroken, i felt awww inside, i wanted to send both Hazard and Somers to therapy, lock them in with the therapist and let them out when they have sorted out all their issues. My Hazard was hurt so bad, i wanted to wrap him in a warm blanket and never let him go. Gaaaahh!!

Somer! Somers! Somers! Ugh! Gaaaahh! Jury is still out. Although that Valentine was a win. 😍

The mystery was so engaging, kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. Billy is a little psycho. 😫

North and Shaw... Yay! I screamed when they appeared on page. Love them so much.

Hazard and Evie's relationship is so sweet and cute. 😍 Their love is so pure.

Best laugh out loud moment: Hazard and Evie vs the Moms at the park. 🤣🤣

Overall, it was amazing and enjoyable.

Disclaimer: : A copy of the Audio book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Mila · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5 rating***

"he’s mine, completely mine..."

This book has made me laugh, scream, annoyed, and awed. I felt like a psycho bitch reading this, so proceed with caution when reading this review, because it is filled with rants. lol.


Brief Summary:

The third book in this series begins with the celebration of the award that Somers has received from the FBI. All seems well and celebrations are in order, that is until an unwanted guest makes a surprise appearance at Ree and John's house.

Can we guess who it is?

Nico?

Nope.

It is Ree's psychotic abusive ex Billy. Yep the very same idiot that cheated on him. With Billy's arrival, everything including the celebration, and Ree and John's relationship goes south.

Billy claims to be in danger and seeks Hazard's help. Unfortunately, old habits die hard and Hazard takes on Billy as a client. Billy's arrival and intrusion in their life and relationship stresses Somers out. He is stressed about everything it seems, his relationship, job, lack of friends and is beginning to resent Hazard.

Somers begins to drink more like he used to when he was separated from Cora and is hanging out more than ever with Gray Dulac (whom I hate, thank you very much).

Along with all of this, is of course a new mystery/case. A new murder near Pretty Pretty. A woman this time, who comes to be known as Tommi Swaner (not sure if last name is correct lol), a former sex-worker. Her death is pretty gruesome and tragic and is the case that has Somers and Dulac busy. At the same time, Billy is up to no good and has the PI's North and Shaw who are characters from GA's other series that I have yet to read, after him.

It is unclear in the beginning why Billy wants Hazard's help or what his motives are. He seems to just want to ruin Hazard all over again and he does. He gets Nico involved and other shenanigans that you have to read about.

It is implied that the Keeper of the Bees makes an appearance again at Hazard's office by pretending to be Hazard, but we don't really know for sure.

There are corrupt dirty cops in this book, some who you did not see coming. It will make sense when you finish reading the book but one of the cops genuinely surprised me by being dirty.

Hazard and Somers's relationship is on the rocks and its mostly due to Somers (I will explain more on this).

Overall, lots is going on in this third book and the reader will be going through a roller-coaster of emotions, some I might say are undesirable emotions.

My Overall Thoughts:

My overall thoughts on this book is pretty mixed. This book is by far my least favorite from all the books I have read in the Hazard and Somerset series.

I hated pretty much everyone (except Ree of course) in this book and yes that includes even the golden boy Somers who was a total asshole to Hazard. Everyone and everything pissed me off. I gotta applaud GA tho, you know the author is good at his craft when he makes you feel intense emotions such as hate lol.

So what the hell pissed me off?

For one, Somers. I feel like I had just come to like him. He was so sweet and likeable in the first book, a bit in the second but now sigh I am not sure how I feel about him, I hope he redeems himself eventually because frankly I am not sure he even deserves Ree sometimes. He intentionally or (unintentionally) hurt Ree multiple times. His drinking was out of control and his constant me me antics were annoying af. He was rude to Ree several times. I hardly recognized this version of Somers. What happened to character development? its like two steps forward, two steps back with this couple. I understand its not always sunshine and rainbows but honestly I am tired of Somers always trying to hurt Hazard, he did it in the last book too. I am not saying Hazard is innocent but Somers is so self-absorbed in this book. I know he didn't mean to laugh at Hazard at Pretty Pretty but he still hurt Ree. His drinking, and other lame actions made Ree cry and doubt himself.

When Ree ran towards Cora and told her "I don't want Somers to leave me", it devastated me as a reader. Or when Somers didn't come home and other shitty stuff that led to Ree crying in the bathroom was heartbreaking to read about. I was so disappointed with Somers's character development, and having read the reviews for the 4th book of this series, I know he is gonna keep disappointing me.

#2 Gray Dulac: I cannot stand that asshole, sorry Dulac fans (if there are any). He is such a little shit even if he is at times funny. I don't care. I hate him. He encourages Somers's drinking and yes I know Somers is a grown man but still. He says shit like "fuck Hazard" to Somers or that he deserves better. I am not sure exactly what this little idiot's intentions are. He flirted with Somers in the last book, so I don't know whether he is after John or not. I really cannot keep up with this annoying character. One minute he says fuck Ree then he encourages Somers to work out his problems with Ree. Like who is this man? I don't know where to stand with him. All I know is that I currently hate him, he is up there with Mickey Grames. Yes, its harsh but I don't care.

#3: Billy's psycho ass: It was only a matter of time before this idiot made an appearance and he does in this book. I hated how he unraveled Hazard's insecurities and was able to manipulate him. He is such a little shit.

#4 Nico: He was really annoying in this book. Him and Billy laughing at Hazard, and making fun of him made me want to strangle him lol. Also, his other annoying antics 🙄 make me think that he still harbors some feelings towards Ree. The jealous ex trope was overdone in this book🙄🙄.

#5 Ree constantly getting hurt emotionally and physically: Like can he please catch a break. Its emotionally exhausting to constantly see him struggle and hurting. When is it gonna be enough? If this continues I am not sure I am gonna continue reading the 3rd arc. It's getting annoying now.

#6 Lack of romance: There was hardly any in this book. Whatever happened to romance?

And that sums up why I gave this book a 3 star rating. It pains me to do so but damn I was pissed off sorry folks.

I did like some things in this book, like seeing Cora being there for Hazard even though she has her own shit to deal with. I loved seeing Hazard and Evie together. There were many sweet moments between those two that left me in awe. I enjoyed Hazard's constant sarcastic remarks, he made me laugh a lot. I liked seeing Rebecca and Noah again, even if Somers keeps saying he doesn't have friends after dating Hazard(where does that leave Rebecca and Noah?). I also liked seeing North and Shaw, they are a funny duo and I will read about them once I have gotten caught up with this series. So, while there were many things that pissed me off in this book, there were moments that I did enjoy. I will also continue to applaud GA for his realistic portrayal of trauma and mental health. Hazard's trauma is realistic and it is not romanticized. It's done very well and it would be nice to see him seek professional help.

With all that being said, I am not sure if I am optimistic to read the next book. The reviews for it have left me on edge. It is why I take breaks before reading the next one. GA's books have left me emotionally traumatized lol but of course I am gonna continue to read to see what happens. How could I not?

[~Mindy Lynn~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!!!

I can't describe how happy I get when I see a new ARC in my email from this man. I LOVE his writing. I also can't get enough of these two men who have climbed my favorite couple's list jumping bounds over others I have on there.

The writing was once again perfection. Raw and gritty. Honest and real. I respect that this author doesn't gives us a perfect couple who have rainbows shooting outta their ass with no problems. These men, John-Henry and Emery, are still figuring things out. Trying to co-parent and run a household. They fight and make up. They hurt each other and heal each other. They make mistakes and apologize for them. But most of all, they love each other. And let me tell ya, their love is the epic kind. They are one of the most realistic couples on page I have ever read about.

I think I might have enjoyed this book more then the previous one's before it. I just felt like this one was a bit heavier on their relationship than it was on the cases they were working. They are for sure still very much a part of the story, but I felt like the relationship took the lead in this one. It's like this author heard my wish and granted it. I wanted more focused on their relationship and I got it. And as usual this author gut punches a hole in your heart only to heal it by the end with what he puts this couple through.

Billy is a nasty piece of work. I know we got glimpses of how his and Emery's relationship was in the past books, but in this one, a lot comes to light and it is absolutely disturbing. I loathed this character and so will you.

I was so thrilled that we got us some North and Shaw in this book. They are as hilarious and adorable as always. I need their next book as much as I need the next book for these men. I am definitely hooked and need my next fix.

If y'all haven't picked up this series or North and Shaw's, what y'all waiting for? You need these men in your life. These stories. Believe me. This man's writing has yet to disappoint me.

Happy reading dolls! xx

**I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.**

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ☆

“Oh my gosh, that’s a lot of work. I can’t even imagine. You know, I bet some of my girlfriends would love to hear what you do. Would you come over and tell us about them?”
“No. Use Google, for fuck’s sake. I’m reading.”
“Well, what’s your problem? I’m just asking—”
Hazard glanced up at her and then back at his phone. “Go away.”
— reason #57281 why i love Hazard so much (‼️ this is a Hazard appreciation household only. haters aren’t allowed. ‼️)


✧ and this book, was the beginning of my anti-Dulac club. if you love him, sorry to say this but you won’t hear any love towards him from me so don’t read this review lol. i’m already caught up to the final book of the second series and i can confirm my dislike towards Dulac is still very much present. i’ve never loved him once since he first appeared, but i admit i initially thought he was entertaining…until he wasn’t. i’ll never forget the shit he’s done in this book with always fucking putting Hazard in a bad light. the amount of times i wanted to hug Hazard was just- 😭 am i Hazard biased? maybe. do i care that i am? no. i can only handle jealousy/possessiveness if it’s between the mcs but if the side characters are acting this way, it gets annoying for me real quick. 😅
✧ I FELT SO BAD FOR HAZARD THROUGHOUT THIS BOOK. i swear, this man (ever since the first book of the whole series... well, more like ever since his childhood) can’t catch a break. :( although Somers fucked up pretty badly bc he always says shit when he’s drunk, the effort he always puts when it comes to trying to mend things between him and Hazard is so, so sweet. 🥺 you can just tell how genuine his efforts are and i melt every time. i mean- the valentine’s day scene??

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 5 out of 5]

* 4,5 stars*

Before you ask – yes … we are pulled through the roughest emotional thicket with Hazard and Somers again. They must be, without any doubt, one of the biggest WIPs in history! The thing is – to me, it all feels real.

Which couple hasn’t argued about household chores, some small bad habits or who picks up the kids? Which couple hasn’t had a wobble in their relationship, doubting themselves and each other? So how do you cope with that once the honeymoon period is over?

Somers has got some serious problems with it, that’s for sure! And he behaves badly. Very badly. I was getting seriously worried about him at one point when he goes off the rails just the way he used to. And he hurts Hazard deeply. That scene was painful, to say the least.
I may have shouted at Somers to grow up and behave like an adult quite a few times, and thankfully, he does see the light in the end (although I don’t think it was down to my shouting 🤨).

Which leads me straight to … Dulac. What the heck IS wrong with that guy? I still saw something entertaining in his unrelenting, whiney personality in book 2, but the things he says and does here are almost unforgivable for me. I have a funny feeling that he sees it as loyalty, as supporting his partner. He couldn’t be further from the truth!

And Hazard?
If it’s in any way possible, I’ve fallen even more in love with him in this book. Even if he has a very nasty moment of ‘misconduct’, too. Hazard is special. He may be different in the way he thinks, feels and behaves (I do wonder if he’s actually on the autistic spectrum), but he is one of the kindest, most honest, loyal, forgiving, loving men.

Above all, please, dear God, please get Hazard into therapy. He can’t keep going on suffering from panic attacks and anxiety like that! It’s awful! Somers, wake up and do something about it!

Thankfully moments like Somers doing Valentine’s Day for Hazard 😍 made up for some of my suffering! And their banter!

I also wonder why on earth Hazard keeps taking on clients which have written A****** in capital letters on their foreheads. First Hoffmeister (book 2) and now Billy. It took like 3 sentences and I wanted to strangle that little piece of filth. Gregory Ashe knows how write a truly vile character, and Billy is certainly that!

The Keeper of Bees turns up in one heart-stopping moment, but he is still lying low. I wonder if he’s someone we know. Someone with a grudge against Hazard. 🤔🤨

Other passing thoughts:
.) How has Wesley become a ‘friend’ who gets invited to dinners? Last time I met him he was suing the Police Department for harassment (meaning Hazard and Somers).
.) There’s one situation where Somers totally forgets that Evie should have been home when he returns, but it doesn’t even cross his mind, and it's not mentioned.
.) Loved seeing North and Shaw round, although it would have been nice if Hazard had been friendlier with them! (But that's typical him ...)
.) Thank you, Cora! (Again!)

I could only read this in small bursts of a few chapters at a time because my blood pressure wouldn’t allow it any other way.
Fabulous all the way!

[Lisazj1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I feel like this book should come with a warning:

"GET READY FOR PAIN. *alcohol is not optional.*" 👀 I'm just sayin'. This one messed me up but good. I'm not sure I know what to say here.

In this book, Hazard and Somers' relationship takes the hardest knock yet. These two always have to genuinely work at being together. Being together, loving each other, is one of the most singular important things in their lives, so work at it they do. They both have their issues, and mostly they honestly know what those are, and try to keep them under control. But sometimes knowing what you have a problem with doesn't keep it from being a problem.

Hazard's ex Billy shows up at his door, begging him for help with the people that are after him. Hazard, being Hazard, cannot turn down anyone who needs his help, not even Billy. At the same time, a new murder case falls in Somers' lap, so he gets tied up with that. Along with the case comes Dulac, Somers' partner, who's always work of a different sort. 🙄 In the midst of all this, there's home repairs, Evie's ballet classes, errands, dinners to cook, and all the thousand and one little things that have to be done every day, and the arguments these things tend to occasionally cause.

These are normal, everyday things, and it's part of what makes Ree and John real and human, relatable. But the unusual, not-so-good things in their pasts make the way things go in this part of their life together anything but usual. When things inevitably blow up, it very nearly obliterates them. And I'm not gonna lie, it nearly blew me up too. 😭😭

John-Henry Somerset let me down so badly. I love Emery Hazard fiercely, but let's face it, he can be a real asshole, sometimes deliberately, hilariously so. John normally has endless patience and good humor but he can be just as flawed and wrong as the next person. He really screws up this time and I was so afraid he had broken something permanently. No matter how bad these guys do screw up, the love they have never wavers *thank God* and John does everything he can to apologize and redeem himself. 😍 I've got to say he pours everything he has into it, and no matter what, Hazard loves him.

Gregory Ashe's writing continues to be outstanding, if not even a little bit disturbing. *side-eyes GA* No author should be able to reach into my heart and head and affect me so literally, and few things I've ever read are able to do it as completely as Hazard and Somers can. Let me explain something. I am NOT a fan of angst. I avoid it and will pass a book if I see readers saying that it was bad. This one in particular broke my heart and made me cry, made me so furious at one point I had to stop reading, I thought my head was going to explode. Even this is not enough to make me give Ree and John up. ❤️ None of that sounds like a good thing but it's a true, sincere compliment to the author. Ok, it's maybe somewhat twisted but that's just me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

The case was damn well done, and though I did end up being right in my suspicions, there were several things I didn't anticipate that still managed to surprise me. And just to keep it creepy, the Keeper of Bees makes it clear he's still there in the background. Worse, Hazard is still somehow in his plans.

One thing that has got to happen is Hazard getting some help for his apparent PTSD. He absolutely cannot go on this way, it's going to crush him.

Mixed in with all the dark, there's still moments of light and pure satisfaction. Hazard's relationship with Evie is adorable, I love them together, and I love how he loves Evie. Hazard vs the park moms made me actually laugh out loud, they didn't know who they were playing with! 😂😂 And my favorite was that little psychopath Billy getting to meet North and Shaw, which I look forward to doing myself when I get to their series!

As a note for the audiobook, Tristan James's narration is excellent, allowing me to get lost in this world, which is everything I could want. Despite all the heartache, this was another amazing piece of Hazard & Somers story.

Disclaimer: A copy of the Audio book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨June 1, 2023 - Kickstarter is live and thriving!✨
not only was the initial goal funded in 6 minutes, but we also reached the *third* stretch goal in 30 *pretend pikachu shocked face* 😂 let's keep the momentum going and show Greg no more underestimating the value of his work or the strength of his following! 💪🏼

🚨🚨 May 31, 2023 - URGENT: CALLING ALL GREGORY ASHE FANS 🚨🚨
have you ever had your life changed by one of Gregory Ashe's books? do you think about his characters more often than your own children? no matter your answer to either of these questions, this news is for you!

it has just been announced via his newsletter that his upcoming crossover series "Iron on Iron," featuring all four Hazardverse couples, is being paired with his first-ever Kickstarter! offering both digital and physical incentives (Kickstarter-exclusive short stories, signed paperbacks, swag boxes, etc.), this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the genius mind behind these books directly that you don't want to miss out on - all while scoring some cool perks yourself! be sure to check out his Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/... and hit "Notify me on launch" to find out more about said perks as soon as it launches tomorrow, June 1st.

as a physical book collector myself, i'm already drooling over these covers (follow the above link for a preview of all five Iron on Iron covers!). our bookshelves will have never looked purtier 😍

now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ: 2023 H&S Rereadathon :･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ (spoilers littered throughout)

the installment of emotional manipulation, facing past demons, and checked egos.

[4.4~4.5] the points i made after my first read are still valid, but let's just say my tolerance for GA character shenanigans has increased exponentially 😂

Billy is a psychotic monster with a PhD in gaslighting, no two ways to slice it. the sheer injustice of being set up and having your character falsely called into question when the problem is a rabid, emotional-manipulating psycho demands that i call upon cursed beings from every possible dimension for a full frontal assault to right the wrongs against my precious babies. i will admit that his reappearance did bring up an important point, and that is Hazard's refusal to see himself as a victim of domestic abuse. i liked how carefully Somers approached him about it, but no wonder Hazard doesn't share much about himself with how often it's been weaponized in the past. watching Billy get dragged away with Somers at the helm of the operation was peak satisfaction. if he ever does come crawling back, i’m buying H&S a 360 camera to have on at all times.

the scene. it's high school all over again 😭 calling on the skeletons of the past to revive the ugliest moments in 4k.

SO MUCH HURT.

i think it's impossible not to have a difficult time with the Pretty Pretty scene, more so with my own biases against reckless drinking. i can understand objectively why people drink - for the social aspect, to let go, as an escape - but i personally have such a hard time giving up control that i can't even drink recreationally. i've never been under anesthesia (cue the nightmarish sound of bone being sawed and drilled during my wisdom teeth removal 🥲), and the drowsiness of dramamine already has my alarm bells going off. so when i see intoxicated folk saying and doing things they wouldn’t normally say or do, or putting themselves in situations they would normally avoid in a sober state of mind, it takes a lot out of me to sympathize with them in the heat of the moment.

but in some respects, i'm glad Somers’s drinking was brought up again. the scene with Dulac egging him on to drink, drink, drink paralleled his old mistakes with Kaylee and acted as this looming portent of his impending blunder in the present. not to mention the clever foreshadowing with the whole convo where Hazard and Somers talk about public humiliation and how Somers has never quite experienced it before.

Hazard. *deep breath* the scene with Cora (who played such a pivotal role here and i love her for every second of it) was such a vulnerable exchange, and bless her for being there when Hazard needed it most. while not a one-to-one comparison, it also served to cement the fear accompanying the reality that Somers has failed in a genuine relationship before, and that fear festers wildly in Hazard's heart.

then Hazard's immediate reaction after *that* scene to skitter away like a cornered mouse and place physical barriers between him and Somers absolutely wrecked me to the core. it was such a base, primal reaction of fight or flight. heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe the emotions coursing through my veins every time i read it.

valentine's day dinner. believe it or not, i couldn't remember how Somers earned back his trust. i either really wanted to hold onto the resentment ('cause i'm petty like that) or this was a classic case of goldfish brain striking once again. but once i finally reached the dinner scene with Somers trying with all his might not to break down, i can’t believe i had such a hard time conjuring up some compassion the first time around. i could literally feel his anxiety popping off the page, and it shattered me in an almost self-satisfied way.

Somers needed to be humbled, knocked down a peg or two - or seventy - because that ego was too big for their household. but boy has Somers really mastered the art of apologizing. the scene about being an outsider was a beautiful display of vulnerability to tell Hazard that the narrative has changed. that Hazard has a place with him.

Shaw hugging Somers at the end was the cutest thing??

Nico. he's a mad lad riding the high of Billy's poor influence, but when you think about the number of times he's been played and traumatized by any semblance of a relationship since PPB (the one guy who used him, the other guy who was killed *ticks off with fingers*), i'm more surprised he hadn't gone cray cray earlier. knowing what i know now, i want to give Nico a bear hug. and maybe find him a daddy bear to take care of him 😂

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ: updated 2023 rankings :･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The Rational Faculty - 4.7 ➜ 5⭐
Police Brutality - 4 ➜ 4.5⭐
Transactional Dynamics - 3.3 ➜ 4.4~4.5⭐
Wayward - 3.1 ➜ 3.6⭐
The Keeper of Bees - 4.75 ➜ 5⭐

~ original review ~

"He. Is. Mine."

[3.3] How did I find myself at another sadistic “let’s hurt Hazard as much as possible” party? The Pretty Pretty scene absolutely broke meeeeee 😭

I despised and loved different parts to the very extremes, props to Gregory Ashe's writing always doing an incredible job getting me to experience these emotions on a visceral level. But sadly, I have to say overall this one didn’t vibe with me as much as I'd hoped for a number of reasons (single sentence summary: there's just too much toxicity up in here for me to breathe 😩😩).

(Oh boy, I have a feeling this is going to be a long review....)

- Dulac is severely unstable, and I mean cuts-up-all-of-Darnell's-socks-after-he-said-he-thought-Dulac's-feet-were-size-11-when-they-were-actually-10-and-a-half-cuz-omg-I-don't-have-huge-ass-feet insane. The craziest part is the list goes on with similar wtf behavior, like cutting up Darnell's favorite pair of overalls (where did this penchant for cutting up people's clothes come from??) because he thought more guys were paying attention to him, verbally ripping Darnell a new one after he compliments Dulac on his purple shirt because how dare you compliment a man's ugliest shirt (can you see the question marks floating above my head right now?), setting Darnell's bed on fire when he threatened to break off their relationship, etc. Dude's got serious issues (Darnell, run while you still have the chance!)

Worst part is, nobody addresses how abusive Dulac is. Somers doesn't even bat an eyelash. Let's not forget the completely spontaneous & unwarranted dumping on Hazard with some surprisingly offensive insults that had me ready to jump into the book and strangle the boy myself. Dulac has his moments, but he's turning out to be quite the piece of bona fide poo.

- Not a deal breaker but I am not a fan of malicious exes getting page time, and we got a double whammy! But Billy was certainly an interesting character to read about in all his manipulative psycho insanity, and I do understand this book's role in allowing Hazard to confront another traumatizing pocket of time in his life. It was difficult watching how Billy rendered Hazard practically inoperative, pulling the right strings to control him and falling back into old, toxic habits. I was thanking the heavens with my entire being when he was gone at last (good riddance 🙄).

Nico here was horrendous. Hard to believe he's the same guy I was rooting for early on in the series, before he turned into whatever you can call this thing he's become. I have a hard time caring for him at all at this juncture and can only hope he turns a new leaf.

- Somers. He's hitting so many personal pet peeves of mine, and I’m sad I can't enjoy his character as much because of it.

(Full disclosure: I'm just like Hazard in that my standards for myself and others are set way too high so I have an admittedly biased take on the situation. And yes I'm working on it 🤣)

I understand the whole moral of the story is about finding that healthy middle, not turning every little thing into a matter of life or death, but Somers's behavior really didn't mesh well with me here. I get that they're past the honeymoon period and these kinds of arguments pop up in real life all the time, but it's bizarre when Somers explicitly stated in the last book that he wanted to have an equal split of household chores and would even get angry at Hazard for not letting him contribute at home, and now he’s like "I resent all this work you give me because I got a shiny medal at work" ??? Somers, honey, I'll have you know that NOBODY IS ABOVE DISHWASHING 😤😤

The chore thing in this case absolutely bugged me to the core, and not because I’m trying to go out of my way to be petty, but because he always says that he’ll do it and never does. For me it almost becomes a trust issue. If you’re tired and have to relax & recharge, just say you are instead of lying, setting your partner up for disappointment, and digging a hole for yourself.

*deep breath* ANYWHO it's obvious Hazard needs to relax--the world won't end because some toys aren't put back in their proper receptacles or a home improvement project isn't done within the original timeframe--but at the same time, there needs to be standards so people don't end up living in a pigsty. As you can easily tell, I'm very passionate about this topic 😤😂

- The pattern I'm starting to see between H&S is (1) contrived argument erupts, often Somers setting the conflict in motion, (2) they avoid each other for a spell, (3) Somers brings up the issue, Hazard doesn't want to discuss said issue, (4) Somers gets angry at Hazard for not talking, argument gets blown up even more, (5) Hazard's made to feel like he's completely in the wrong and apologizes, beginning the cascade that leads to a big reconciliation scene.

Of course Hazard is also at fault, yet I can't help but feel like Somers pushes way too hard at times. One moment Somers is extraordinarily understanding & patient, and the next he's calling Hazard an asshole as if moving backwards in character development. Was the aim to mix a relationship cocktail almost reminiscent of Hazard's previous abusive ones? Judging by the ratings, it's probably just me and a handful of other readers, but the direction their conflict took overshadowed what had me loving these two in the first place.

Not to mention, the fact that Somers inflicted a lot of this pain by letting his ego get too big for his head amplified my UGH levels to 1000. I can understand his proclivity to reach for the bottle (since he’s never gotten help for it) and the stress of expectations and perfection, but male pride can take a hike.

This was most definitely a Somers book, and I only hope he takes the lessons he learned with him as we continue along (although the blurb for book 4 has me extremely nervous 😬).

-----

In other news...
- the park scene with the moms 🤣
- the bath scene with Evie 🫧
- The North and Shaw cameo was a complete surprise! I haven’t read their books yet, but they seem like such a quirky couple lol. Shaw hugging Somers at the end 🥺 Hazard was such a jerk to them though 😅

Me @ Hazard:

Stand down, big guy!
(.....but also don't actually spray your cats with water thx)

- I'm genuinely curious the total property damage caused by Hazard’s hulk smashing/throwing as it continues to grace every other page 😂

- Loved Cora's vulnerability here. She was so selfless in putting aside her feelings to pick Hazard up when he was down. What a strong woman!

- Hazard & Evie interactions continue to melt my heart. Hazard is such great father material 🥺

In conclusion, my biggest takeaway this time around is Hazard desperately needs therapy for PTSD, Somers needs therapy for his alcoholism, and they both need couples therapy.

Wayward, I'm coming for ya 👀

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

I actually ended up liking this one a lot. Probably not as much as The Rational Faculty but it's close. Apparently Hazard grappling with his demons works for me. Don't get me wrong, there is a HUGE part of me that wishes both Hazard and Somers would get into some therapy and work on their respective issues. BUT if they did that then would they still be the Hazard and Somers we've all come to know and love? #Knuckleheads4Evs #TeamKnucklehead

So, spoiler alert, Somers and Hazard continue to struggle with their own foibles which continues to cause rifts in their relationship. One would think that would get old or repetitive or whatever but what resonates with me is the authenticity. Rarely do people fall in love and live happily ever after. The daily grind of life becomes tedious: who takes the trash out? Who does the dishes? Who takes Evie to ballet? What are we having for dinner? Who's going to fix the leaky faucet. And when? Always when?

Ashe does an exemplary job of portraying how much work and compromise goes into sustaining a relationship while maintaining the desperate, can't-live-without-you love and chemistry that epitomizes Hazard and Somers.

In the midst of the relationship angst and pain there is a compelling murder case that loops in Hazard's romantic past in unexpected ways. Let me just say, Billy can take a long walk off a short bridge. Nico I just feel sorry for. He and Emery are absolutely not right for each other but I do think he loved, and maybe is still in love, with him. It's not easy being the one on the other side of the break-up fence, the jilted side, the Cora side.

The Keeper of Bees makes a brief appearance so apparently Ashe is long-gaming me again. Fingers crossed something comes to a head in Wayward.

If you're in the mood for an emotionally compelling and cerebral romantic suspense give this series a try.

[L Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I apologize, this isn't a review. It's just me ranting about these annoying characters that had me glued to my phone all day and night. Obviously, this will contain a few minor spoilers, so proceed with caution.

◇ I had no idea Billy was that manipulative. How the hell did Hazard put up with him for as long as he did? Every time he opened his disgusting mouth, wanted to rip his hair out. What an actor! The way he'd hurt himself to make Hazard feel like shit was unbelievable. Why does he hate him so much? The way he took absolute delight in tearing down Hazard's self-esteem. Omg! I hated him so much...almost as much as I hated Mikey.

◇ And just when I thought Dulac was a cool guy, he goes and pulls that shit? Are you kidding me? What was he even trying to do? Is talking shit about Hazard when Somers is already feeling down his version of supporting him? Bringing up healthcare and retirement??!!!!! 🤡💀💀👽 He's so confusing! He whispers stuff like that in Somer's ear, and then the next day says that he really likes Hazard and envies their relationship? Come ooon!! The narrator does an excellent job giving voice to his oblivious fuckboy persona. Just hearing him speak was enough to drive me crazy.

◇ As for Nico, I honestly feel like he really was falling in love with Hazard but a combination of his immaturity, his shitty/jealous friends, Hazard's standoffish personality, as well as the fact that they were never going to make it anyway because Hazard was obviously in love with Somers messed him up and now he's just bitter and petty. I still kind of feel sorry for him, but him joining forces with Billy to whine and make fun of Hazard means we are no longer friends. Bitch, how are you going to do that but then go ask Hazard to help you the next day?! 😭😭

◇ And Somers. 😤 Omg, he was being such a baby in this book, making Hazard feel like crap for simply asking him to act like a fucking adult and help around the house and with Evie. Listening to his inner thoughts was like pulling teeth and I wanted to cut through his pity party and shake him. Then that little scene with Hazard's exes! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 I was so through with him. I don't care what his explanation was. He shouldn't have been there in the first place. It isn't right for him for him to keep hurting Hazard the way he does, then ask for forgiveness and makeup sex like everything is okay.

😤😤😤😂 Okay, my mini breakdown is over. As you can tell, this book was one hell of an emotional ride and despite all these angry opinions I still loved it. 🤣🤣 These characters are so authentic and so believable, and I love seeing them try, despite many (MANY) setbacks, to hold to each other and the beautiful thing that they share. It's hard to see it as beautiful sometimes, but it really is. Otherwise, it wouldn't hurt so much.

Read Count: 2

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars in the world for Hazard and Z-E-R-O for Somers because he is an arsehole of epic proportions, so much so he's at the top of my Assholian list. I didn't like Dulac in the previous book, welp I detest him now.

My heart broke for my Hazard, has that man not endured enough yet Mr Ashe?

[Eugenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! TENSION AHEAD!

Let’s sum it it: The one where Emery & John-Henry have relationship DRAMA.

(And there is also a murder & a crazy ex).

Usually, the interaction between the men lighten the heavy crimes they investigate, but here the snarky banter turned mean. We get to see both men work through their own issues & get on the same page at the end.

And of course, there is Gray Dulac with his nonstop, hilarious sex asides.

This was a solid thriller (I thought I had it figured out, but nooooooooo) & a fantastic depiction of the struggles couples face.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this an A at AAR.

Transactional Dynamics, book three in the Hazard and Somerset: A Union of Swords series, is possibly my favourite book of this series and by this author; and that’s saying something considering I haven’t given anything of his I’ve read so far less than a B+ (and most have been DIKs).  As in the two previous books, there are standalone mysteries to be solved while the author keeps the overarching plotline around the serial killer dubbed the Keeper of Bees ticking over in the background.  Taking centre stage however is the complex and often frustrating relationship between the two leads, which Mr. Ashe continues to explore with his customary skill and insight.

Note: This book does not stand alone; there are plotlines continuing from previous books and the relationship between Hazard and Somerset really needs to be experienced from the beginning.  There are spoilers for earlier books in this review.

In Police Brutality , private investigator Emery Hazard and his boyfriend Detective John-Henry Somerset went through a rough patch, clashing professionally as well as personally as Hazard, still struggling with the PTSD and depression left over from the events of the previous summer, and with the guilt he feels over the murder of a young gay couple months before, had started to withdraw from Somers (again), leaving Somers feeling shut out and worried, both for the man he loves and their relationship.  Having worked through those problems, and with Hazard agreeing to try to be more open and communicative, things have been going well… but over the past few weeks, irritations and annoyances have begun to creep in, as Somers has started slipping back into some of his old ways of avoidance and drinking too much.  I think any couple – especially one with young children – will recognise this particular dynamic; Somers works a fairly rigid schedule and is also often called out unexpectedly; Hazard works for himself and can be more flexible with his hours; Somers wants to kick back and relax when he gets home from work; Hazard wants him to pull his weight around the house and with childcare… it’s a difficult balance to achieve and maintain, and both men’s resentment is building as they try to avoid a major row about who does the dishes and the laundry while continuing to care for their daughter and do demanding and stressful jobs.

But sadly – Hazard and Somers being, well, them – things are about to get much worse.  Completely out of the blue one evening, Hazard’s ex, Billy Rolker appears on their doorstep begging for help.  Not surprisingly, Hazard wants nothing to do with him and storms out, but avoiding Billy isn’t so easy when he turns up at Hazard’s office.  He tells Hazard he’s running from a guy who is physically abusive and who has sent a couple of goons to find him and beat him up, and then presents a tox screen report from the previous night that shows he had Rohypnol in his system.  His guess is the goons put the drug in his drink while he was at the Pretty Pretty, but he didn’t pass out and managed to get an Uber to the hospital.  Hazard tells Billy he should go to the police, but he just wants help to get away and promises that if Hazard will help him, he’ll disappear forever.

Meanwhile, Somers and Dulac are assigned to investigate the murder of a woman found beaten to death in the alley at the back of the Pretty Pretty.  As the investigation progresses, Somers becomes increasingly concerned at the number of accusations they’re hearing about the local cops being dirty; it’s not uncommon to hear it from people who don’t want to talk to them, but this is more than that. Somers is starting to form suspicions as to who might be on the take and has to ask himself if one or more of his colleagues could be a murderer.  The waters are muddied still further when it emerges that Billy wasn’t the only person at the club who was drugged; Hazard’s ex, Nico Flores was also a victim that night – and his prints have been found all over the murder weapon.  A desperate Nico asks Hazard to find out who is trying to frame him, Somers doesn’t know how far the corruption he’s uncovered goes, and to make matters even worse, Billy’s presence and machinations look set to drive a wedge between Hazard and Somers that they might not be able to come back from.

I really like the way, at the beginning of each book, Gregory Ashe sets Hazard and Somers on separate paths that seem to have nothing in common, but which slowly and inexorably converge. The two men are completely attuned to each other (even when they’re on the outs personally) and work together so well, that the high point – in terms of the mystery plot – of each book is the one at which they realise they’re working the same case and pool their considerable resources. In each novel, it’s difficult to see how the author can possibly pull the different story threads together – but he does and I never tire of watching it happen.

The reappearance of Billy throws a serious spanner into the works when it comes to Hazard and Somers’ relationship at a time when things aren’t going so well, despite their recent engagement.  Somers has begun to fall back into old, self-destructive patterns, while Hazard’s deep-seated insecurities are stirred up and, aided by Billy’s carefully targeted manipulation, eat away at him more than ever.  Somers, who has always been good at reading people, has Billy pegged straight away for the nasty, manipulative bastard he is; he knows how severely Billy screwed with Hazard’s head, and now he’s seen it in action, he realises just how dangerous Billy could still be to him.  I rarely feel utter loathing for a fictional character, but I felt it for Billy; he’s so devious and so plausible, a kind of insidious evil that’s so much more dangerous than the person who tells you outright they’re going to punch you.

I continue to enjoy the relationship between Somers and Dulac, and I may have done a little happy dance when North and Shaw (from the author’s  Borealis Investigations  series) showed up, having been engaged to find Billy and take him back to St. Louis.  Hazard and Somers met North briefly in Triangulation, and I have to say that Hazard’s reaction to meeting Shaw here was priceless.

Yet again Gregory Ashe ripped out my heart and stomped on it before reassembling it and putting it back (yes, I’m a glutton for punishment!) as I watched Hazard and Somers come closer to a breaking point than ever.  But even when things are at their bleakest – and they get pretty bleak – there’s no doubt that they love each other deeply; they’re never going to be the perfect couple – they’re both too damn stubborn for that – but they’re perfect for each other, and that’s what counts.

Transactional Dynamics is a compelling addition to this excellent series, a gripping thriller combined with a rollercoaster ride of emotion and angsty romance, and I can’t wait to see what Mr. Ashe has in store for Hazard and Somerset next.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm back to despising John Henry, but I also love that Gregory Ashe can write characters that affect me so much 😂 So frustrating but then there's Emery and I feel like a protective mama lion about him, which almost balances out how I feel about these books.

Honestly I wanted to drop kick John Henry across Missouri but I don't know how big Missouri actually is, so I imagined bigger and drop kicking him across North America felt about right. Billy and Nico can join him too!

Dulac is an interesting character. I'm still not quite sure what to make of him. He feels manipulative with the way he's talking about Emery to John, but then he's super nice to Emery and I'm just not really sure what his end game is.

The crime may as well have not existed in this installment though. It was like an afterthought and the culprit felt like there was a neon sign over them. I'm a little disappointed that this series isn't as strong as the original series, but then the relationship development seems to be more prominent which is something I love to read about.

Also I really liked North and Shaw's cameos, which reinforced my opinion that they're best in extremely small doses - I loved their shorts but not their full length books 😂

I already know I'm going to be supremely pissed by the next book after reading the blurb, so I'm going to have a break and read something else before I get all ragey about Douche Canoe Somers... I'm assuming at some point they get their fucking acts together and stop hurting each other and arguing all the damn time?

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars. Still thinking about which way to round.


Hazard steadied himself against Somers, still not moving. “I . . . I feel different too. I’ve been on the outside for so long, and now I think I’m not outside anymore. I feel like there’s this perfect little space, and I fit inside it.”

I know I still haven't fully reviewed the first two books in this follow up series. Oops! 🤷🏻‍♀️

What I loved:
-Ree and John. Duh. This follow up series and the original series have been hit or miss for me as far as the mystery part of the plot goes. Some have been much stronger and more interesting than others. But at the center of it are these two knuckleheads who have burrowed their way so far into my heart that I will read anything if it means getting to spend time with them. 🥰

-The appearance of North and Shaw from Orientation and the other books in the, "Borealis Investigations," series. What a treat! Now, I read that series first which was backwards and it was that series that made me want to read about Hazard and Somerset. They made a brief appearance in one of those books and I knew that I needed their story. So seeing North and Shaw in this book made me beyond happy. I adore them just as much as Ree and John and I had a huge smile on my face when they showed up. Mr. Ashe-if you are reading this-please give us more North and Shaw books. We need them!!! 💜

What I liked:
-The mystery! Yes, I liked this one. What I liked most is that we were given a break from the whole white supremacist group that seems to take center stage in SO MANY of these books. Again Mr. Ashe-if you are reading this-please continue to do this. I get so tired of that group and their shenanigans. After so many books with them popping up, it gets stale sometimes. This was a breath of fresh air, not reading about any of them.
-I loved the way Ree's PI work and Somer's case overlapped and the two got to work together. With Ree being a PI now, we don't get as much of that and I get so happy when it does happen.

What wasn't my favorite:
-Dulac. If you aren't up to date on these, Dulac is Somer's new partner now that Ree doesn't work for the Police. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to love him or hate him. Mr. Ashe is sneaky that way. But I don't like him, I don't trust him and he needs to go away. He clearly has designs on Somers and he was trying a little too hard during this book to drive a wedge between Ree and John. I have to trust that he won't succeed but I am SO over him.
-Billy and Nico. You'll know why if you've read even some of the first series. Billy especially is bad news. But both spell trouble for Ree and I dislike both of them. Enough said.
-The conflicts between Ree and John really got to me in this one. I know the two have problems that they are still working out. One of the things I love about them is how imperfect they are and how they struggle. But some of the issues in this one have come up again and again with them and it was tiring. It also didn't work for me. What I love about them is how they work through things and come out stronger. In this book, some things just felt like a rehash of previous books.

All of this being said, the good and the not as good, I will happily read about Emery Hazard and John-Henry Somerset for as long as Mr. Ashe wants to write about them. I love them that much. 😍

“Ree, sweetheart, I love you. Kind of . . . obsessively, maybe. And I know I’m a catch. I know I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Ever happened to anyone, as far as that goes.” “Turn it down a notch,” Hazard growled.

**Just a note for all Hazard and Somerset books. They are more considered gay fiction not romance. So if you are looking for lots of sexy scenes, you might be disappointed. There are some quite steamy moments but they are not overly graphic and do not happen frequently. However, to me, they are still incredibly hot.But I just wanted to put this out there in case it’s not what you are looking for.**

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single time I think I've read the most painful Hazardverse book ever, I pick up another and get proven wrong 🫠 I think my answer to "What is the most painful Hazardverse book?" needs to be "The one I am reading at the moment" 😭

I don't know how I've made it this far in the Hazardverse tbh. Greg's brilliant writing keeps me going, but I feel like a solider returning home from battle after finishing each book. I'm tired, weary, worn down, and wondering if it was all worth it in the end. My answer is inevitably "yes" because I keep coming back like an addict 😂

No question about it, this book was brutal. A hammer to the head would've been less painful. There was one point (the scene where Hazard walked into the Pretty Pretty and caught Somers drinking with his exes while they joked about him) when I had to stop reading and step away for 3 DAYS because the scene sucked the soul from my body. I gasped so loudly the neighbors probably heard 💀 The rest of the book felt like suffering a thousand paper cuts, tiny little nicks all over that won't kill you but hurt like hell.

Hazard was a mess, Somers was a mess, and together they were a recipe for disaster. A great big, messy disaster stew of emotions. If that wasn't enough, toss in a bit of Nico and Billy drama, then sprinkle in a dash of Dulac being a diva at every turn, and it was A LOT. Oh, don't forget North and Shaw popping in to add their own special flavor of crazy to the mix. It was like watching an episode of The Maury Show. Nothing about this was healthy. I was here for it though 🤣

There was a mystery, of course, but I found it slipping my mind in the midst of all of the drama. A woman was murdered? Oh yeah 🙃 Sorry, I was too busy getting smacked in the face by all the testosterone floating around in the air. Seriously, guys, I'm going to need you all to calm down in the next book. My heart rate was way too high reading this 📈 I'm increasingly worried about how the rest of this series is going to go because I know the big bad is just lying in wait ready to jump out wreck everything, me included. I guess I'll be finding out soon enough 💀

[Annery · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Re-read 9/28/21 -- 9/28/21***
Random thoughts of no importance and in no particular order:
Am I going to read this every September? Maybe. Do I mind? Nope. Is Billy Rolker the worst person on the planet? Yes. How early do people in the Midwest eat? At what time do they start work? And what gay club closes at 1:30 a.m., even on a Monday? I'm sure it's true but it always tickles my NYC brain.

As for the rest, I have nothing of value to add to my original review save to say that, like the other books in this series, I've enjoyed the deeper dive into the relationships & emotions.

And yes, I skimmed a bit but I can still feel the earbuds in my ears 🎧

*************************************
First Read 9/28/20 -- 10/6/20


Did I love this? Abso-freakin-yes! What did I love? Everything but ...

One of the things I love most about this series is how Gregory Ashe doesn't cut corners. Not when it comes to the evolving love story between the MC and not about their journeys as individuals.

The story takes place over seven days in February and though it seems like all is smooth sailing there are definitely ripples under the current. Hazard is still learning to not shut down, talk about issues, while struggling with PTSD from the events at the Havermeyer and, more recently, his dealings with the Keeper of Bees. For his part John-Henry is struggling to not fall into the bad habits that have sabotaged all of his previous relationships. As if all this weren't enough Billy, Hazard's good for nothing ex, comes to town. Things go as well as you might expect.

My favorite mysteries are never so much about the mystery as about the characters and GA doesn't disappoint. Everything about these seven days is beautiful, heartbreaking, and true. But if you need any encouragement to read Transactional Dynamics I'll give you Hazard being charming while trying to get information:

Charm, Hazard thought. The real secret weapon of the private detective was charm. He thought of how North McKinney might handle this situation.
"My name's Emery Hazard. I'm an ex-cop. Currently a private investigator."
"Ok, but-"
"More importantly, my boyfriend is a cop."
"I'm not -"
"And even more importantly. I'm the guy who's going to come down and put my foot up your ass and use you like a fucking slipper for the rest of this fucking winter, if you don't give me what I fucking want."
"I could hang up," the guy said.
"Go ahead. I'm a size thirteen."

... and Hazard dealing with different mom groups at the park? Too long to post here but it's a thing of beauty. I almost peed my pants laughing. But after that what I felt was love between real people, flawed, quirky, generous and everything else that makes us human.

[Nelly S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Do you want me to fuck you? That’s where this is going: we fuck, and we nibble around the edges of whatever is really going on, and in a few months it happens again. I’m so tired of fucking managing people. I had to manage Alec or he’d knock the shit out of me. I had to manage Billy or he’d turn hysterical. I had to manage Nico or he’d go crazy with jealousy. This, the pattern we’re starting, it’s turning into managing. Is that what you want?”

Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster with this book. I’ve never seen two guys who love each other so deeply, but also hurt each other so badly at the same time. Plus add in Somers’s and Ree’s tumultuous relationship, the fact they’re complete opposites and the miscommunication, and you’ve got an incendiary mix. There were a lot of beautiful domestic moments between Somers and Ree, especially featuring Evie. But there were also many times I caught myself literally flinching when Ree and Somers were tearing each other apart. It didn’t help that Billy, Ree’s psycho ex showed up and created utter havoc. I enjoyed the mystery and although Dulac is a real shitty partner at times—spoiler alert: stirring up shit between our MCs—he also has flashes of decency and vulnerability that make him more human. It’s with great reluctance that I admit he’s VERY slooooowly starting to grow on me.

[Kathleen in Oslo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

It's like Gregory Ashe read my last review, traveled back in time, and wrote this in response. Peak reader service.

With book 2, I fretted about how Hazard's hold on his reactions -- specifically, his desire for or use of violence -- was slipping. This installment throws us straight into that dynamic, prompted by the reappearance of Hazard's manipulative, emotionally abusive ex, Billy (later joined by his other manipulative ex, Nico), which sets off a chain of emotions and events that go off like a bomb in Hazard and Somers' relationship. Ultimately necessary in prompting a reckoning and sharing of painful truths between the two men, but god, this was agonizing.

With book 2, I noted that Somers vacillates between being extraordinarily charming and irredeemably douchbaggy. In this one, we got the douchbaggy part HARD: Somers spent a not-insignificant portion of this book being an absolute shit, and imo there was NOT enough groveling. That said: Ashe cleverly seeded a scene early in the book (Emery at the playground interacting with the mommy mafia) where Hazard comes off as incredibly judgmental, patronizing, and intensely unlikable -- and that scene, where Somers wasn't even present, very much lays down context for the reader to understand some of Somers' feelings and reactions later in the book (even if the way they were expressed was cruel verging on unjustifiable). What Somers said and did pushed every single one of Hazard's most vulnerable points: knowingly, to some extent -- Somers is lashing out with an intent to hurt -- but not entirely, as Hazard has gone to great pains to hide these wounds from both Somers and himself. This takes us back to the common thread of mis-/ non-communication between these two -- and here we finally get Hazard acknowledging and working on his role in this, even though he dreads the exposure it requires.

With book 2, I noted that the crime was a bit meh (I've already forgotten it, and I read it just days ago) (oh right, Hoffmeister), but that it was really the relationship stuff I cared about. H&S books always intertwine the crime with the personal, but this installment took it up a notch. The interweaving of Billy and Nico with the crime, with the bees mystery buzzing along in the background, and all of it slamming up against Hazard and Somers' insecurities and grievances -- it felt like things were turning a corner. Great stuff.

Dulac seized the opportunity in this book to showcase both his most annoying and most positive sides. Quite a versatile bro, that Dulac.

Shaw and North's cameo, set against H&S at their most H&S'y, made me realize what, exactly, I've been struggling with in those books: Shaw is written as a Manic Pixie Dream Girl!! I don't know if Manic Pixie Dream Girl is still a thing, but this was such a trope in the 90s and aughties: think "quirky with a capital-Q" plus Not Like Other Girls, with a dash of "everyone loves them, but it's baffling why." Shaw is by far the most femme of Ashe's MCs (I haven't yet read Theo and Auggie, so I can't speak to them; but Hazard and North are very masc, Somers too, while Tean and Jem aren't written as particularly masc or femme), so I've been wondering if I've been having some kind of misogyny-driven reaction to his femmeness. But honestly, now that I've seen it, I think it really is the Manic Pixie Dream Girl thing (where here "girl" is tied to trope more than biological sex) more than Shaw being femme, as MPDG/ self-consciously quirky is high on my list of struggle tropes. This is basically a tangent, but always nice when a book does the service of helping you figure out something about a whole other book. Multi-tasking!

Rounding down instead of up mostly because this was a painful, stressful read -- so in that sense, I can't say I enjoyed it so much, even as I devoured it. May revise the rating once I finish the series and can see how it fits in with the overall arc.

Very excited that Gregory Ashe has unlocked the mysteries of time travel (but only if he continues to use this skill to respond to my exact reader needs).

[Claudie ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a few things before I grab the next book.

First: Hazard’s exes need to form an orderly line so that I can shoot them one by one.

Second: Only Gregory Ashe can jump from playground politics of soccer moms and Hazard’s complete disapproval of other people’s parenting, to goosebump-raising serial killer stuff (I had CHILLS, despite it being a relatively brief scene 👏), to beautiful, perfect relationship angst — all the while weaving another amazing mystery, of course — and get away with it without giving his readers whiplash.

Third: I get it, Hazard and Somers are hot when they're fighting, and they are on fire when they’re making up, but could you maybe let them catch a little break, Greg? Just a tiny one, before all the Keeper shit hits the fan later? 🙏

Last: It was great to finally meet North and Shaw here! Shaw was just so adorably weird, I hope he’s just like this in the Borealis series. How in the world does GA come up with these characters? 🤣

Ok, I’m off to the next one.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding read ! This series just keeps getting better. The angst and emotions between Hazard & Somers is intense - they love so hard and fear equally, such is the depth of their vulnerabilities. Billy & Nico proved to be serial pests and Dulac, while witty, is a clear future issue. Can’t wait for the next one ❤️

[Aricka Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Yeah, well, kind of. I made sure I put all the jellies in one box and all the creams in the other. I was worried it might break your brain if you knew I hadn’t sorted them.” Hazard gave another blink. “That is the third most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Let me just say: this shit stressed me the fuck out.

Billy and Nico both deserve bullets to the head. Honestly, all of Hazard’s exes need to be wiped off the map at this point—they are all sociopaths. Full-blown lunatics. And John? He's getting there. Truly, Hazard is better than me, because girl, I tell you what—I would’ve ended this fucked-up relationship the moment I saw them all laughing at the Pretty Pretty. I don’t care if it was a misunderstanding—that would’ve been the straw that broke the camel’s damn back.

I wanted to strangle every man in this book. Billy. Dulac. John. Nico. All of them needed their asses beat to the edge of life.

Look, I love Hazard. I know he’s a mess. I’ve talked about his trauma, his anger issues, all of it—but I genuinely think he deserves better. And John? John was a straight-up man-child in this one. I liked him in most of the books. I thought I understood him. But now? I’m not sure. How is this relationship supposed to actually work in the long run? Or is it just going to be this “love is blind, let’s keep riding the dysfunction train” thing forever?

The mystery? Whatever. I couldn’t even focus—I was too pissed off about everything else.

I just don’t know anymore. They kiss and make up at the end of each book, but I’m tired. I love them. I do. And like Hazard said in the last book, they’re like vampire stars—beautiful, tragic, draining the life out of me. 🥲

I need them to get their shit together. Honestly, maybe John needs to quit the police force and just work with Hazard. Idk. Something. Anything. And they need to leave this town full of the most psychotic people ever written. That place needs to be nuked, seriously.

These books are addictive as hell, but they’re also so fucking frustrating I want to scream and cry and throw things. And yet… I’ll still read the next one.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, I'm finished that about sums it up. This one was so freakin' emotionally draining. I'mma gonna' take the rest of the day off to formulate my thoughts and a full review will follow...soonish...probably tomorrow.

There are two things about writing reviews that for me are irrevocable truths...

1. The hardest reviews to write are for books that you truly hated. I say this because in my naivete I truly believe that when an author publishes a book they're realizing at least one of their dreams to share a story that will touch the minds and hearts of those who read it. So when someone writes a bad review they’re essentially telling the author that they've failed to achieve their dream…no one wants to hear that and I truly don’t want to be the person to deliver that message.

2. The hardest reviews to write are for books that you truly loved…books that linger in your heart and mind long after the last page has been read. I say this because when you’ve read a book or in this case listened to the audio book and the story has stayed with you long after the last page is read then as a reader, and very amateur reviewer, I hope to find the words that express how much I loved and enjoyed the story that has been shared with me in a manner that will hopefully compel others to give it a chance and to also express to the author my appreciation for the talent that they’ve shared providing those of us who love to read/listen hours of what is often thought provoking entertainment.

Fortunately for me the one that’s far more palatable to do is the second one and it’s the one I need to attempt now. I actually finished listening to “Transactional Dynamics” two days ago and during that time I’ve spent a lot of hours asking myself how? How do tell people what an incredible story this is. How thought provoking, heart breaking and at the end of it incredibly touching this story was.

I love this series, I’m pretty sure I’ve said it more than once. Just like I’m pretty sure that I’ve said more than once that without fail Tristan James is one of my absolute favorite narrators and here with this latest installment in ‘Hazard and Somerset: A Union of Swords’ he has once again shown me why as he brings Emery Hazard and John Henry Somerset to life for listeners.

As with previous stories there’s a crime to be solved here but more importantly Hazard and Somerset unwittingly find themselves at a crossroads and if they’re not careful they may discover to late that they’ve each chosen a different path.

Sometimes the hardest thing for any relationship to survive are the things that lay outside of a person's control…Emery finds he can’t control his ex-boyfriends who suddenly turn up with the intentions of manipulating him to their own ends. He also can’t control how John Henry behaves or reacts to things…in the end what he realizes is as is the case for most of us…there is really very little that he can control beyond his own reactions and behavior.

John Henry for different reasons struggles with the same issues and if he doesn’t stop buying into his own hype he may loose what he loves most.

I found myself very quickly engaged by this story especially where Emery was concerned. I empathized with him to the point of subjecting my poor spouse to multiple rants about John Henry and even more so about his partner Dulac…I admit even though he did a very decent thing at the end of the book, he’s still just too much of a jerk for me to totally forgive and forget liking him, I’m not sure that could ever happen.

I really, really wish I could say more...honestly, I could go on for hours about this one, but to me the point of a review isn't to tell the reader what happened in a story, but rather how it made the reviewer feel and whether or not they enjoyed it...so, here goes...

1. obviously I enjoyed it...right...I think my 5 stars pretty much put that question to rest.

2. how did it make me feel...well, as with anything that I've enjoyed by this author, at the end I was emotionally drained and I loved it. If a book doesn't put me through my paces and take me on the same emotional journey as it takes the characters on...then really, what's the point?

*************************
An audio book of "Transactional Dynamics" was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up because of GA's great writing chops!

These two men are the most frustrating MCs to have ever been written and reading their books back to back is EXHAUSTING!

*end rant*

Ok... what I loved:

Ree and Evie together

Ree and Sommers.... for the most part.

The banter/dry humor

Dulac and his new boyfriend who seems to be a perfect guy.

The North and Shaw cameo with the levity they brought to an otherwise bleak book.

What I didn't love:

Billy..... Can Mr. GA pleeeeaaaasssse kill him off soon? Because damn.

How Hazard and Somerset are really mean to each other for alot of the book. Now this is my *romantic-at-heart* mentality talking, but MCs being assholes to each other is not my thing. They seem experts are pushing each other's buttons, to strike where it hurts... and it gets to be too much imo. This is a me thing I know.. and I know that this is very real in relationships but it got to me here.

The case.... I had it pegged from the beginning and was quite bored by it.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wounded animals
lash out, run away, hurt more.
Great mystery, though.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was a really good installment in this series. Hazard's ex Billy shows up asking for some help. From there things take an action packed turn as they always do in these books. While there was this situation and Somers working a murder case, this book was really more about Hazard and Somerset's relationship. These two will be the death of me. If there was something here they could screw up they did. I cried twice. I had to set my kindle down and give myself a time out I was so damn mad at one of them. Uuggg.......So. Many. Feelz.

At the end of the day I keep coming back to this series because it feels so realistic. If you're looking for a couple who find their hea and then have rainbows and sunshine you're not going to find it here. Here you have two guys who have some serious personal issues to work through. You're also going to find two guys who argue over the same petty stuff the rest of the world does.... ie who's turn it is to do the dishes and who wasn't watching the kid when they were supposed to be. They screw up, they hurt each other, they admit to their own pettiness and selfishness. They feel insecure and angry and overwhelmed. Just like real people do. At the end of the day they love each other dearly and they fight desperately to make things right between them. This is the part I love the most in these books.

The first few chapters of the next book are in the back of this one and omg.....if you think things are going to get easier for these two....they're not. I can not wait for the next book. This author is a sadist!!

These books are not standalones and should not be read out of order. A must read for Hazard and Somerset fans though.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why the fuck did I read the preview for the next book, I never learn.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my god, the way these two invent new ways to hurt each other. Hazard needs therapy so freaking bad and I don't know why no one has thought to mention it to him, other than the fact that he would react really badly if they did. If I were playing a game of trauma bingo, my whole card would be filled up with what this man has been through. I would give anything right now for an entire book where Somers and Hazard get along, communicate and work as a team. Unfortunately I've already read the blurb for the next book so I know not to hold my breath for now. These guys drive me nuts. Here are my quick thoughts on this one:

1. Hazard was still Hazard, but in this book I wanted to throw myself in front of him and start ripping people to shreds in his defense. I hate seeing people with beautiful, brilliant minds get teased or ridiculed and I saw red during that Pretty Pretty scene.

2. Somers...this man. He gave me whiplash. Why does he only learn lessons from messing up in the worst of ways?

3. Dulac, okay. So. This dude is off the rails. He's that best friend that tells you to dump your significant other because "you deserve better" and then moves in on them the second you look away. Poor Darnell. That man must have the patience of a saint. Dulac is a toddler carrying a lit match.

4. The ex's had to go. I had a feeling we'd get to see Nico again since Wahredua is a small town and there's only one gay bar in it, but I didn't expect him to still be upset about a break up that took place a year and an unknown number of guys ago. Talk about holding a grudge. And don't even get me started on Billy.

5. The mystery kind of played in the background for me in this book. It was interesting, but I found myself more caught up in what was happening between all of the characters than figuring out who bludgeoned a poor woman to death. I liked how it all came together, though, and was relieved that our beloved MC's managed to stay out of a hospital bed yet again.

On to Wayward! I have a feeling I'm going to need therapy too by the end of this series.

[Evelyn220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ This one hurt like hell. Hazard and Somers just can’t get out of their own heads and stop being so awful toward each other. Their relationship is so realistic though. The hardships of co-parenting and how angry they get over the division of household labor. The stress of their jobs and a potential serial killer stalking them. Stress and anxiety is high.
And Hazard’s ex’s keep popping up out of nowhere to start shit. I fucking hate Billy. And I’m starting to hate Somers’s partner, Dulac, too. He starts so much drama. This whole fictional tiny town in Missouri is full of drama queens and I can’t get enough.

I’m 9 books deep in this series and I’m not slowing down. I could read 100 books about Hazard because each one is different and interesting and funny and suspenseful and gut-wrenching and sweet.
The whole range of emotions.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 perfect stars

I love these two guys, Just can't get enough. So why did I think it would be a good idea to read the teaser for the next story! Now, I will have to agonize over waiting for the next story!

I still do not trust Duncan.
,
RC purchased by reviewer. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club

[knjiški moljac · Rating 4 out of 5]

ANGST ANGST ANGST

Loved it!