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The First Quarto #2
Yet a Stranger
When Auggie Lopez returns to Wroxall College, he’s determined that his second year will be different from the chaos he faced as a freshman. He’s living in the Sigma Sigma house, he’s got a good group of friends, and his social media presence is growing. Meeting a hot older guy on move-in day is just the cherry on top. All he has to do now is avoid getting dragged into another murder.
That last part, though, turns out to be easier said than done, especially when Auggie’s ex-roommate, Orlando, asks for help. Orlando’s brother Cal has gone missing, and Orlando wants Auggie to find him.
Auggie knows he’ll need help, but recruiting his friend—and crush—Theo is not as straightforward as he expects. While Auggie was gone for the summer, Theo has started dating someone, and neither Theo nor Auggie knows how to handle the shift in their relationship.
Finding Orlando’s brother dead only makes their situation more complicated. Although the police are quick to write off the homicide as a drug deal gone wrong, Auggie and Theo aren’t so sure, and Orlando begs them to keep investigating. To learn the truth, Auggie and Theo will have to untangle a web of lies while keeping each other safe from a killer who is determined to stop them.
As Auggie and Theo dig deeper, they realize that Cal was a stranger even to the people who thought they knew him. And Auggie and Theo both begin to fear that they are also strangers to each other.
That last part, though, turns out to be easier said than done, especially when Auggie’s ex-roommate, Orlando, asks for help. Orlando’s brother Cal has gone missing, and Orlando wants Auggie to find him.
Auggie knows he’ll need help, but recruiting his friend—and crush—Theo is not as straightforward as he expects. While Auggie was gone for the summer, Theo has started dating someone, and neither Theo nor Auggie knows how to handle the shift in their relationship.
Finding Orlando’s brother dead only makes their situation more complicated. Although the police are quick to write off the homicide as a drug deal gone wrong, Auggie and Theo aren’t so sure, and Orlando begs them to keep investigating. To learn the truth, Auggie and Theo will have to untangle a web of lies while keeping each other safe from a killer who is determined to stop them.
As Auggie and Theo dig deeper, they realize that Cal was a stranger even to the people who thought they knew him. And Auggie and Theo both begin to fear that they are also strangers to each other.
438 pages, ebook
First published December 15, 2020
71 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Ashe
135 books1,786 followersI'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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
May 21, 2021
Warning! A Stan review ahead.
Audiobook – 5++++ stars
Story – 4 stars
The adventures of Auggie and Theo book 2.
This series is one that I am growing to love as it progresses. The writing is solid, characters amazing and character growth is evident for both Auggie and Theo, even Orlando could have thought. I love everything about all this. Back to the writing, you know it wouldn’t be a Greg’s book without some angst and frustration, Lawd! I almost went to jail because of Dylan. Ugh what a character. What is more frightening is that I am sure we all know a Dylan or have met a Dylan. Uggghhhh!!! Me = Ragey!
Sorry Squidward.
At this point, I feel like I am friends with Theo and Auggie, the thing is, this is one slow burn that is being built on friendship, and there is just something special about friendships. These two are slowly growing a very special bond. Their interactions most just me smile. I read and listen while smiling. Gaaahh!! That being said, sometimes I want to knock their heads together so hard. If that isn’t friendship and love, then what is it?
I love that Auggie reads like his age and tries so hard to not be 19 but fails adorably. Theo is Theo! That’s it! There is no one like Theo. I think I love him, most of the time.
The mystery was very interesting and engaging, this one didn’t leave me ragey, it got me very interested in the investigation process. Very entertaining, our Sleuths are getting good at this, they should open a P.I office. I would definitely hire them.
Now for the best part! The humor and the banter!! I was laughing so hard. The interactions between Auggie and Theo are hilarious. The other characters are so hilarious too, their way of talking is very sarcastic and weird.
Fer! gets the best supporting cast, he loves the most. I wonder, who is taking care of Fer?
Cart needs some serious therapy and soul-searching meditation.
I am hoping the next book doesn’t take long to come out. I want more of Theo and Auggie.
Overall I had and amazing time with this book, I laughed, I was ragey, I wanted to kill, I smiled and above all I loved.
JF Harding did a great job bringing the characters to life. His voice is GAAAAAAHHH!!
A copy of the audiobook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ooooohh and John Henry Somerset!!!! Squuueeee!!
Audiobook – 5++++ stars
Story – 4 stars
The adventures of Auggie and Theo book 2.
This series is one that I am growing to love as it progresses. The writing is solid, characters amazing and character growth is evident for both Auggie and Theo, even Orlando could have thought. I love everything about all this. Back to the writing, you know it wouldn’t be a Greg’s book without some angst and frustration, Lawd! I almost went to jail because of Dylan. Ugh what a character. What is more frightening is that I am sure we all know a Dylan or have met a Dylan. Uggghhhh!!! Me = Ragey!
Sorry Squidward.
At this point, I feel like I am friends with Theo and Auggie, the thing is, this is one slow burn that is being built on friendship, and there is just something special about friendships. These two are slowly growing a very special bond. Their interactions most just me smile. I read and listen while smiling. Gaaahh!! That being said, sometimes I want to knock their heads together so hard. If that isn’t friendship and love, then what is it?
I love that Auggie reads like his age and tries so hard to not be 19 but fails adorably. Theo is Theo! That’s it! There is no one like Theo. I think I love him, most of the time.
The mystery was very interesting and engaging, this one didn’t leave me ragey, it got me very interested in the investigation process. Very entertaining, our Sleuths are getting good at this, they should open a P.I office. I would definitely hire them.
Now for the best part! The humor and the banter!! I was laughing so hard. The interactions between Auggie and Theo are hilarious. The other characters are so hilarious too, their way of talking is very sarcastic and weird.
Fer! gets the best supporting cast, he loves the most. I wonder, who is taking care of Fer?
Cart needs some serious therapy and soul-searching meditation.
I am hoping the next book doesn’t take long to come out. I want more of Theo and Auggie.
Overall I had and amazing time with this book, I laughed, I was ragey, I wanted to kill, I smiled and above all I loved.
JF Harding did a great job bringing the characters to life. His voice is GAAAAAAHHH!!
A copy of the audiobook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ooooohh and John Henry Somerset!!!! Squuueeee!!
May 23, 2021
Gregory Ashe continues to age me, because I swear every time I finish one of his books I've stressed, cussed, raged and/or cried enough that I'm pretty sure I've lost at least a couple of years. But what keeps me coming back is the characters that barge right into my heart and stay there. Uninvited, I might add. 😏
To be fair, I also get the best dialog. No matter what the relationship between his MCs, they're always terrific friends as well, and the banter is always stellar. I was happy to get all that here though it came with a whole lot of complications.
Theo and Auggie come back to Wroxall College for the new fall semester. Theo's trying to move on with his life and Auggie's just trying to figure out what he wants from his. Almost as soon as Auggie gets settled, Orlando shows up. But he's not there to hassle Auggie, he wants Auggie and Theo to look for his brother Cal, who's gone missing.
Predictably *and kind of understandably*, Theo is adamantly against this. Also predictably, when Auggie tells him he'll just do it on his own, Theo agrees to help him. He's too protective of Auggie *which I love*, no way he'd let him go off on this alone.
I love Theo and Auggie for who they are alone but I enjoy them together so much. Mostly. They're funny, and Auggie loves to needle Theo and make him lose his mind. I always laugh when Theo goes "dad" on him and Auggie turns right around and proves his point by acting like a sulky teenager, LOL. Which he actually is. But their friendship is so tangled up with all of the other things they feel for each other and can't *won't* act on that sometimes I just want to smack both of them really hard and see if it won't shake some sense loose.
In the midst of all this, Theo is trying to build a relationship with Cart, and Cart says all the right things....as long as they're alone inside Theo's house. 😒 Then a careless comment at a birthday party sends Cart running in the other direction. He says some terrible things to Theo, and I am done with Cart. I hope he goes away and never comes back. At the same time, Auggie has become involved with an older student but the situation is abusive and controlling. He hides it from Theo, of course, but Theo finds out. And I have never been happy before that Theo had such a rough upbringing but I was grateful for it then.
It wasn't enough but I'll take it. For now. 👿
When they finally figure out what happened to Cal, it's just...a whole lot of sad. Terrible family situations and jealousies end up with unintended consequences.
And though we didn't exactly get a cliffhanger, the scene at the end was just WHAT? I mean, what???
Have I said before what a sadist GA is? Yeah, that. It cannot be repeated enough. 🙄
Ashe's excellent writing and the exceptional storytelling was all present, he always hooks me into the plot and keeps me there until the end. His characterizations are second to none. Despite the fact that some of them just might be the most exasperating book-people in all of fiction *side-eyes, well, everybody*, his MCs are some of my most loved ever and Auggie and Theo fit right in with the rest of them. 💕 I'm super invested in where they go from here.
And for the audio, as always J.F. Harding can do no wrong with me! 🥰 His voice for these two, as well as every other character is pitch perfect, and his narration keeps me hanging on every word. I love listening to him, every time. I'm so looking forward to the next book!
Disclaimer: A copy of the audiobook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
To be fair, I also get the best dialog. No matter what the relationship between his MCs, they're always terrific friends as well, and the banter is always stellar. I was happy to get all that here though it came with a whole lot of complications.
Theo and Auggie come back to Wroxall College for the new fall semester. Theo's trying to move on with his life and Auggie's just trying to figure out what he wants from his. Almost as soon as Auggie gets settled, Orlando shows up. But he's not there to hassle Auggie, he wants Auggie and Theo to look for his brother Cal, who's gone missing.
Predictably *and kind of understandably*, Theo is adamantly against this. Also predictably, when Auggie tells him he'll just do it on his own, Theo agrees to help him. He's too protective of Auggie *which I love*, no way he'd let him go off on this alone.
I love Theo and Auggie for who they are alone but I enjoy them together so much. Mostly. They're funny, and Auggie loves to needle Theo and make him lose his mind. I always laugh when Theo goes "dad" on him and Auggie turns right around and proves his point by acting like a sulky teenager, LOL. Which he actually is. But their friendship is so tangled up with all of the other things they feel for each other and can't *won't* act on that sometimes I just want to smack both of them really hard and see if it won't shake some sense loose.
In the midst of all this, Theo is trying to build a relationship with Cart, and Cart says all the right things....as long as they're alone inside Theo's house. 😒 Then a careless comment at a birthday party sends Cart running in the other direction. He says some terrible things to Theo, and I am done with Cart. I hope he goes away and never comes back. At the same time, Auggie has become involved with an older student but the situation is abusive and controlling. He hides it from Theo, of course, but Theo finds out. And I have never been happy before that Theo had such a rough upbringing but I was grateful for it then.
It wasn't enough but I'll take it. For now. 👿
When they finally figure out what happened to Cal, it's just...a whole lot of sad. Terrible family situations and jealousies end up with unintended consequences.
And though we didn't exactly get a cliffhanger, the scene at the end was just WHAT? I mean, what???
Have I said before what a sadist GA is? Yeah, that. It cannot be repeated enough. 🙄
Ashe's excellent writing and the exceptional storytelling was all present, he always hooks me into the plot and keeps me there until the end. His characterizations are second to none. Despite the fact that some of them just might be the most exasperating book-people in all of fiction *side-eyes, well, everybody*, his MCs are some of my most loved ever and Auggie and Theo fit right in with the rest of them. 💕 I'm super invested in where they go from here.
And for the audio, as always J.F. Harding can do no wrong with me! 🥰 His voice for these two, as well as every other character is pitch perfect, and his narration keeps me hanging on every word. I love listening to him, every time. I'm so looking forward to the next book!
Disclaimer: A copy of the audiobook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2022
***3.5 rating***
"For a moment, Auggie wanted to tell him everything about Theo too. About watching the back of Theo’s neck in class and knowing the exact instant Wagner said something that Theo disagreed with. About the times he’d walked outside and headed toward Theo’s house without even realizing it. About the weirdest things that would remind him of Theo: the weave of the upholstery on the couches in the third-floor lounge; peanut butter toast; the sound of a page being turned in a quiet room. Mostly he wanted to tell Fer that he didn’t know what to do to stop hurting all the time."
What the heck was this book?
🥴🤡🤬🤬
Sigh.
I facepalmed the entire time I was reading this. I gotta say nothing made sense in this book. Theo and Auggie annoyed the shit out of me. Felt like everyone had a personality transplant. How do we go from sweet angst and tension to utter chaos? help. I know I said I am prepared for the feels and the frustration but lawd I wanted to pull out my hair from all the stress GA put me through.
Theo Theo Theo. Our boy tells Auggie that he is not in a place to date anyone but here he is playing house with Cart, the closeted gay man who treated Theo like he was ashamed of him. I hated Cart. His little jabs at Auggie made me wanna smack him. Like we all know you are a rebound sir, sleeping with the husband of your dead best friend. The audacity! Cart was just an overall douchecanoe.
The same can be said about Dylan. What a twat. Pardon my language. He treated Auggie like shit. He psychologically, mentally and to some extent physically abused him. With his weird meditations, frat bro gym sessions, and manipulating Auggie, it's safe to say that Dylan can catch these hands.
Theo was also annoying and I was not a fan of his behavior in this book. He treated Auggie like a doormat and constantly cockblocked him. I thought on so many occasions that Auggie deserved better than Theo. I did not understand his relationship with Cart. It made no sense. There were some hints of attraction between them in the first book but not enough for them to be together. I just did not get it. I mean I understand Theo was abusing Percocet, constantly drinking, and still not over the death of his husband, his behavior made sense in some ways. But I still didn't get the weird relationship he had with Cart.
Auggie was also somewhat annoying constantly trying to play detective to solve the mystery, It felt idk what to name it tbh. This book was frustrating af. The ending was somewhat better but the weird declaration Theo made in the end to Auggie didn't make sense. He constantly friend-zoned him and was jealous of Dylan but was with Cart. I didn't get how he was suddenly head over heels for Auggie. idk.
Help. I am pissed. GA knows how to twist your emotions. Why sir why?😭Book 3 so far is promising. Thuggie deserves justice. Cause this book wasn't it. The only heartwarming aspect of it was Orlando who I genuinely felt bad for.
"For a moment, Auggie wanted to tell him everything about Theo too. About watching the back of Theo’s neck in class and knowing the exact instant Wagner said something that Theo disagreed with. About the times he’d walked outside and headed toward Theo’s house without even realizing it. About the weirdest things that would remind him of Theo: the weave of the upholstery on the couches in the third-floor lounge; peanut butter toast; the sound of a page being turned in a quiet room. Mostly he wanted to tell Fer that he didn’t know what to do to stop hurting all the time."
What the heck was this book?
🥴🤡🤬🤬
Sigh.
I facepalmed the entire time I was reading this. I gotta say nothing made sense in this book. Theo and Auggie annoyed the shit out of me. Felt like everyone had a personality transplant. How do we go from sweet angst and tension to utter chaos? help. I know I said I am prepared for the feels and the frustration but lawd I wanted to pull out my hair from all the stress GA put me through.
Theo Theo Theo. Our boy tells Auggie that he is not in a place to date anyone but here he is playing house with Cart, the closeted gay man who treated Theo like he was ashamed of him. I hated Cart. His little jabs at Auggie made me wanna smack him. Like we all know you are a rebound sir, sleeping with the husband of your dead best friend. The audacity! Cart was just an overall douchecanoe.
The same can be said about Dylan. What a twat. Pardon my language. He treated Auggie like shit. He psychologically, mentally and to some extent physically abused him. With his weird meditations, frat bro gym sessions, and manipulating Auggie, it's safe to say that Dylan can catch these hands.
Theo was also annoying and I was not a fan of his behavior in this book. He treated Auggie like a doormat and constantly cockblocked him. I thought on so many occasions that Auggie deserved better than Theo. I did not understand his relationship with Cart. It made no sense. There were some hints of attraction between them in the first book but not enough for them to be together. I just did not get it. I mean I understand Theo was abusing Percocet, constantly drinking, and still not over the death of his husband, his behavior made sense in some ways. But I still didn't get the weird relationship he had with Cart.
Auggie was also somewhat annoying constantly trying to play detective to solve the mystery, It felt idk what to name it tbh. This book was frustrating af. The ending was somewhat better but the weird declaration Theo made in the end to Auggie didn't make sense. He constantly friend-zoned him and was jealous of Dylan but was with Cart. I didn't get how he was suddenly head over heels for Auggie. idk.
Help. I am pissed. GA knows how to twist your emotions. Why sir why?😭Book 3 so far is promising. Thuggie deserves justice. Cause this book wasn't it. The only heartwarming aspect of it was Orlando who I genuinely felt bad for.
April 27, 2023
Reread 4 Stars
I forgot how hard this one was to read.
Both of these relationships that Auggie and Theo enter into in lieu of the one they really want are awful.
Just awful. God awful.
I forgot how awful they were and it was unpleasant to revisit when they so clearly want to be together. It's heartbreaking really but Ashe does like to put his characters through the wringer so hopefully this will serve as a reminder of what they have in each other and to hold onto it.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
I seriously think I have some sort of masochistic tendencies especially where this author is concerned. Auggie and Theo are absolutely not Somers and Hazard level of frustrating but they run in the same circles.
What impresses me is how Ashe can tap into the humanity and fallibility of his characters. Both Theo and Auggie are pitch perfect in their imperfections. But they seem to work well together when they're speaking to each other, that is.
The radio silence between them doesn't bother me because it reads age appropriate for Auggie like so many other things characterization-wise. Ashe is clearly locked into him. Theo is muzzier for me because he reminds me so much of a hodgepodge of Hazard and Somers that I don't really feel like he's a character unto himself. But I did have MANY feelings about several of the secondary characters.
In short:
Dylan-I hope he dies in a fire.
Fer-Worst curse word mashups ever but I feel for him and his ability to make others cry is admirable.
Cart-Poor guy. He really needs to work his shit out.
The mystery held me attention, as always. I have complete faith in Ashe to put my sleuther to the test. What I'm growing tired of is the violence, though. Don't get me wrong, I'm no wilting flower but there's only so many times I can weather reading about the protagonists getting the stuffing beat out of them without thinking their eggs are going to be permanently scrambled sooner rather than later. I mean, how many concussions and broken bones are really necessary? I'll take a little (ok, a lot) less hurt and a lot more comfort, please?
Regardless of my niggles, I'm invested in seeing where these two go and they better be going somewhere because that ending was UNACCEPTABLE!
What the shit was that?
At any rate, I'm stuck somewhere between 3.5-4 stars so I'll just round up and call it a day. Get sucked into the Ashe slowburn vortex at your own risk.
I forgot how hard this one was to read.
Both of these relationships that Auggie and Theo enter into in lieu of the one they really want are awful.
Just awful. God awful.
I forgot how awful they were and it was unpleasant to revisit when they so clearly want to be together. It's heartbreaking really but Ashe does like to put his characters through the wringer so hopefully this will serve as a reminder of what they have in each other and to hold onto it.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
I seriously think I have some sort of masochistic tendencies especially where this author is concerned. Auggie and Theo are absolutely not Somers and Hazard level of frustrating but they run in the same circles.
What impresses me is how Ashe can tap into the humanity and fallibility of his characters. Both Theo and Auggie are pitch perfect in their imperfections. But they seem to work well together when they're speaking to each other, that is.
The radio silence between them doesn't bother me because it reads age appropriate for Auggie like so many other things characterization-wise. Ashe is clearly locked into him. Theo is muzzier for me because he reminds me so much of a hodgepodge of Hazard and Somers that I don't really feel like he's a character unto himself. But I did have MANY feelings about several of the secondary characters.
In short:
Dylan-I hope he dies in a fire.
Fer-Worst curse word mashups ever but I feel for him and his ability to make others cry is admirable.
Cart-Poor guy. He really needs to work his shit out.
The mystery held me attention, as always. I have complete faith in Ashe to put my sleuther to the test. What I'm growing tired of is the violence, though. Don't get me wrong, I'm no wilting flower but there's only so many times I can weather reading about the protagonists getting the stuffing beat out of them without thinking their eggs are going to be permanently scrambled sooner rather than later. I mean, how many concussions and broken bones are really necessary? I'll take a little (ok, a lot) less hurt and a lot more comfort, please?
Regardless of my niggles, I'm invested in seeing where these two go and they better be going somewhere because that ending was UNACCEPTABLE!
What the shit was that?
At any rate, I'm stuck somewhere between 3.5-4 stars so I'll just round up and call it a day. Get sucked into the Ashe slowburn vortex at your own risk.
Read
February 11, 2024rating: 🤷🏻♀️ -- I don’t know what to make of this right now.
[⚠️ caution: a lot of anger ahead! ⚠️]
No joke, this book was torture!! My lips in a thin line and nostrils flaring for a good chunk of the (audio)book. After the "As School Boy From Their Books" short story (taking place between book #1 and book #2) I didn’t see this shit-show coming.
I struggled so much with this book. Theo dating his cop-friend Cart (yk his late husband’s partner) - I hated it, hated him! Auggie crushing on that Dylan dude (his frat-bro) - I hated it, hated him!! And that scene between Auggie and Dylan just shy of 40%? Omg I wanted to punch something. Or better someone. At best this Dylan-douchebag. My only thought was: God Auggie, pleeeeeaaaaase, no!!! You are better than this! And later? Honestly, there was not much left and I would’ve vomited all over that Dylan-fucker from anger!!!!!! And don’t even get me started on Cart! That motherfucker.
In addition to that we have my frustration with Theo and Auggie. The pining, the jealousy and the trying to move on from their attraction to each other by being with other people (in toxic relationships)… gaaaawd! And then the half mark rolled around and it all got even worse. It was a painful to witness, TOXIC MESS. I almost needed to stop listening because I was hurting so much alongside both, Auggie and Theo, and I thought I couldn’t take it anymore. It really hurt.
And you know what was really weird? This whole murder-case they took on was weird. Honestly, I didn’t get it. None of it. First they were investigating because the brother of the victim asked them to. But that was at the beginning and later no one wanted them to look into it anymore but they kept on going? Why? Out of sheer curiosity? They were trespassing more than once, opening locked doors they were not supposed to open… and for what? For getting banged up all the time? Again, I didn’t get it. What was the whole point of them doing this? It was totally different from the first book where they at least had a personal motivation to solve the case. -- And at last the showdown with the alleged culprit? Auggie is humiliating and provoking them in the absolute worst possible way and then Theo takes them down in an overly brutal way. Sorry, but that didn’t feel right. I almost didn’t recognize them. It was awful. They became awful.
But you know what was really nice? That little story Theo told Auggie about himself and his late husband Ian. Honestly, I wish I’d gotten their love story instead. *kidding (or not.)
This book was a ride. And not in a good way. I hated most of it. I guess this was the author’s intention all along for their (not sure to call it love-) story. This is truly a fucking looooong way to a HEA we all want and all deserve (ffs!).
To sum this up: I actually have no idea what Gregory Ashe’s intentions were with this book other than unnecessarily make his main characters as well as the reader suffer through this shit of a train-wreck. Was everyone at least in for a reward in the end for putting up with this? Mhm, yeah, kinda. At the very end. And the short story "The Woodsong Fog" was also a treat.
GA’s writing was still as fantastic as it was in the first book. A lot of this story and the necessity for it didn’t make sense to me but the writing was great nonetheless. The audio was as well.
I’m a little pissed but also a little relieved that I have to put this series on hold for now until the audios for the next books release next year. I think I really need the break. Even though it also kills me a bit not being able to continue right away and not getting tempted to just read the rest of it *lolll
**************
The First Quarto Series:
Book 1 - They Told Me I Was Everything - 4.75 stars
Book 2 - Yet a Stranger - read, no rating
Book 3 - The Fairest Show - read, no rating
Book 4 - A Fault Against the Dead - 4.5 stars
Short Story Collection - Thuggiana - read
[⚠️ caution: a lot of anger ahead! ⚠️]
No joke, this book was torture!! My lips in a thin line and nostrils flaring for a good chunk of the (audio)book. After the "As School Boy From Their Books" short story (taking place between book #1 and book #2) I didn’t see this shit-show coming.
I struggled so much with this book. Theo dating his cop-friend Cart (yk his late husband’s partner) - I hated it, hated him! Auggie crushing on that Dylan dude (his frat-bro) - I hated it, hated him!! And that scene between Auggie and Dylan just shy of 40%? Omg I wanted to punch something. Or better someone. At best this Dylan-douchebag. My only thought was: God Auggie, pleeeeeaaaaase, no!!! You are better than this! And later? Honestly, there was not much left and I would’ve vomited all over that Dylan-fucker from anger!!!!!! And don’t even get me started on Cart! That motherfucker.
In addition to that we have my frustration with Theo and Auggie. The pining, the jealousy and the trying to move on from their attraction to each other by being with other people (in toxic relationships)… gaaaawd! And then the half mark rolled around and it all got even worse. It was a painful to witness, TOXIC MESS. I almost needed to stop listening because I was hurting so much alongside both, Auggie and Theo, and I thought I couldn’t take it anymore. It really hurt.
And you know what was really weird? This whole murder-case they took on was weird. Honestly, I didn’t get it. None of it. First they were investigating because the brother of the victim asked them to. But that was at the beginning and later no one wanted them to look into it anymore but they kept on going? Why? Out of sheer curiosity? They were trespassing more than once, opening locked doors they were not supposed to open… and for what? For getting banged up all the time? Again, I didn’t get it. What was the whole point of them doing this? It was totally different from the first book where they at least had a personal motivation to solve the case. -- And at last the showdown with the alleged culprit? Auggie is humiliating and provoking them in the absolute worst possible way and then Theo takes them down in an overly brutal way. Sorry, but that didn’t feel right. I almost didn’t recognize them. It was awful. They became awful.
But you know what was really nice? That little story Theo told Auggie about himself and his late husband Ian. Honestly, I wish I’d gotten their love story instead. *kidding (or not.)
This book was a ride. And not in a good way. I hated most of it. I guess this was the author’s intention all along for their (not sure to call it love-) story. This is truly a fucking looooong way to a HEA we all want and all deserve (ffs!).
To sum this up: I actually have no idea what Gregory Ashe’s intentions were with this book other than unnecessarily make his main characters as well as the reader suffer through this shit of a train-wreck. Was everyone at least in for a reward in the end for putting up with this? Mhm, yeah, kinda. At the very end. And the short story "The Woodsong Fog" was also a treat.
GA’s writing was still as fantastic as it was in the first book. A lot of this story and the necessity for it didn’t make sense to me but the writing was great nonetheless. The audio was as well.
I’m a little pissed but also a little relieved that I have to put this series on hold for now until the audios for the next books release next year. I think I really need the break. Even though it also kills me a bit not being able to continue right away and not getting tempted to just read the rest of it *lolll
**************
The First Quarto Series:
Book 1 - They Told Me I Was Everything - 4.75 stars
Book 2 - Yet a Stranger - read, no rating
Book 3 - The Fairest Show - read, no rating
Book 4 - A Fault Against the Dead - 4.5 stars
Short Story Collection - Thuggiana - read
December 7, 2020
I realize I never wrote a review of book one, even when it came out all together in one book instead of the serialized version I read. And now I’m about to do the same thing with this one. Because I’m just not in a reviewing mood. I’ll try to come back and write reviews for both eventually.
This one I also read as a serial through the author’s newsletter.
For now I’ll just say this:
I am totally in love with Auggie and Theo. Damn Gregory Ashe for continuing to write such frustrating duos. Guys who can’t get their acts together. Guys saddled with heavy baggage. Guys who are imperfect but perfect for each other. Only they don’t know it.
Damn him for his torturous slow burns. The way he writes all of those electric moments, pulsing with sexual tension. Where I’m screaming, “Just kiss already!” 🤣
And damn him for his two steps forward, one step backwards, emotional cliffhanger endings. Leaving me no choice to wait for the next one in agony. Knowing that the payoff will be worth it.
P.S.-I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing baby Somerset. Ok he's not a baby but it's pre-Hazard days. Any moment with him, I just smile so big, knowing what is to come.
This one I also read as a serial through the author’s newsletter.
For now I’ll just say this:
I am totally in love with Auggie and Theo. Damn Gregory Ashe for continuing to write such frustrating duos. Guys who can’t get their acts together. Guys saddled with heavy baggage. Guys who are imperfect but perfect for each other. Only they don’t know it.
Damn him for his torturous slow burns. The way he writes all of those electric moments, pulsing with sexual tension. Where I’m screaming, “Just kiss already!” 🤣
And damn him for his two steps forward, one step backwards, emotional cliffhanger endings. Leaving me no choice to wait for the next one in agony. Knowing that the payoff will be worth it.
P.S.-I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing baby Somerset. Ok he's not a baby but it's pre-Hazard days. Any moment with him, I just smile so big, knowing what is to come.
July 24, 2022
*** reread/relisten 7/23/22 - 7/24/22 ***
*sigh* Revising these two was perfect. Just what I needed.
*** First read/listen 5/28/21 - 5/31/21 ***
Ugh ... why did I wait to write my review 😩 ? The one coherent thought I can summon up is I LOVED IT.
To be clear, and for anyone just innocently venturing into Gregory Ashe's Wahredua universe, this is not a romance in the genre sense. It is however the development of a love story, a love story from its first seed onwards. It may seem slow to some but to me it reads logical and true to who Auggie & Theo are and when & where their lives intersect. Yet a Stranger doesn't end in a HEA but it does leave the MC on a firm first rung to a love story for the ages.
YAS picks up with Auggie's starting his second year of college. The intervening summer has left it's prints on both Theo and Auggie, they're adjusting to new realities and calling themselves happy. They're not. Orlando of all people brings them back together by asking them to look into the disappearance and later death of one of his brothers.
I really liked how the author never lost sight of who his MC are, how Auggie is just a 20 year old trying to make his way in a world that demands so much and while carrying some pretty heavy baggage. How Theo, though older, is dragging all the weight of his upbringing and the drag of recent tragedies. I love how the Shakespeare texts that Theo is teaching/TAing for/dissecting in his dissertation inform what the characters are going through. I foresee rereads. 🤓
The mystery is pleasantly twisty but not too recondite. I loved seeing, albeit briefly, a pre-Hazard Summers, and dreaded seeing (spoiler tagged for those who haven't read the first H&S arc). I also desperately need a story for Fer.
Finally the audio by JF Harding is everything good and more.
*sigh* Revising these two was perfect. Just what I needed.
*** First read/listen 5/28/21 - 5/31/21 ***
Ugh ... why did I wait to write my review 😩 ? The one coherent thought I can summon up is I LOVED IT.
To be clear, and for anyone just innocently venturing into Gregory Ashe's Wahredua universe, this is not a romance in the genre sense. It is however the development of a love story, a love story from its first seed onwards. It may seem slow to some but to me it reads logical and true to who Auggie & Theo are and when & where their lives intersect. Yet a Stranger doesn't end in a HEA but it does leave the MC on a firm first rung to a love story for the ages.
YAS picks up with Auggie's starting his second year of college. The intervening summer has left it's prints on both Theo and Auggie, they're adjusting to new realities and calling themselves happy. They're not. Orlando of all people brings them back together by asking them to look into the disappearance and later death of one of his brothers.
I really liked how the author never lost sight of who his MC are, how Auggie is just a 20 year old trying to make his way in a world that demands so much and while carrying some pretty heavy baggage. How Theo, though older, is dragging all the weight of his upbringing and the drag of recent tragedies. I love how the Shakespeare texts that Theo is teaching/TAing for/dissecting in his dissertation inform what the characters are going through. I foresee rereads. 🤓
The mystery is pleasantly twisty but not too recondite. I loved seeing, albeit briefly, a pre-Hazard Summers, and dreaded seeing (spoiler tagged for those who haven't read the first H&S arc). I also desperately need a story for Fer.
Finally the audio by JF Harding is everything good and more.
June 4, 2021
Auggie and Theo are EVERYTHING! 4.5 Stars!
Although in this 2nd book they are with other people.
The men they are dating are idiots at best & abusive gas lighters at worst.
This is not a stand-alone.
This is not a love story, although the two fools love each other.
This is another murder mystery & amateur sleuthing gig.
Low steam.
Crazy plot.
Triggers: dub-con, drug use/abuse, mind-fucking, internalized homophobia.
The audiobook by JF HARDING was SINFULLY GOOD!
Thanks to the author for a copy of this audiobook!
Although in this 2nd book they are with other people.
The men they are dating are idiots at best & abusive gas lighters at worst.
This is not a stand-alone.
This is not a love story, although the two fools love each other.
This is another murder mystery & amateur sleuthing gig.
Low steam.
Crazy plot.
Triggers: dub-con, drug use/abuse, mind-fucking, internalized homophobia.
The audiobook by JF HARDING was SINFULLY GOOD!
Thanks to the author for a copy of this audiobook!
August 11, 2022
[4.4~4.5] Gregory Ashe's writing is the milkshake that brings all the masochistic boys/girls/nonbinary folks to the yard 💃🏻
a summer away cools Auggie and Theo's feelings enough for other potential partners to slide into the picture, but when they're caught up in another amateur sleuthing gig once they return to campus, it turns out those feelings were only in hibernation.
the usual balance between wishing to strangle the characters and lavish them with love teetered more on the strangulation side, but no matter, i was inevitably hooked by the clever prose and messy, self-destructive nature of the mcs.
GA knows how to make his characters hurt each other with such savagery and pinpoint accuracy that there is no curbing the flood of emotions that surge forth. SO MUCH PAIN. but i live for it. can you hear the angst-loving part of me singing from the rooftops? 😌
the main draws of this couple are their foundational friendship paving the way for more; their marvelous banter; Theo's protectiveness; and the way Auggie drops everything to go to Theo, rain or shine 🥺 Theo is ALL OVER THE PLACE, the weight of his emotional baggage just as heavy as before, while Auggie continues to be unapologetically young and naïve with intermittent sulky moments but is slowly taking steps towards coming into himself as an individual. they still have so much chaos to wade through before reaching their HEA, but i know the payoff is going to be remarkable.
i partially regret not waiting for the rest of the books to come out first before diving in, but from what i've read so far, this series has legs, and i am buzzing with anticipation to find out what happens next later this year.
(JF Harding's narration was on-point 👌🏼)
a summer away cools Auggie and Theo's feelings enough for other potential partners to slide into the picture, but when they're caught up in another amateur sleuthing gig once they return to campus, it turns out those feelings were only in hibernation.
the usual balance between wishing to strangle the characters and lavish them with love teetered more on the strangulation side, but no matter, i was inevitably hooked by the clever prose and messy, self-destructive nature of the mcs.
GA knows how to make his characters hurt each other with such savagery and pinpoint accuracy that there is no curbing the flood of emotions that surge forth. SO MUCH PAIN. but i live for it. can you hear the angst-loving part of me singing from the rooftops? 😌
the main draws of this couple are their foundational friendship paving the way for more; their marvelous banter; Theo's protectiveness; and the way Auggie drops everything to go to Theo, rain or shine 🥺 Theo is ALL OVER THE PLACE, the weight of his emotional baggage just as heavy as before, while Auggie continues to be unapologetically young and naïve with intermittent sulky moments but is slowly taking steps towards coming into himself as an individual. they still have so much chaos to wade through before reaching their HEA, but i know the payoff is going to be remarkable.
i partially regret not waiting for the rest of the books to come out first before diving in, but from what i've read so far, this series has legs, and i am buzzing with anticipation to find out what happens next later this year.
(JF Harding's narration was on-point 👌🏼)
April 29, 2025
Wow....
I don't even know where to start!
First off, the absolute irony that Theo keeps telling Auggie he's a kid/toddler throwing a tantrum etc. when he's the one shacked up with an absolute loser because he's not emotionally mature enough to feel his big boy feelings....
Second, Auggie needs to come listen to the speech I regularly give my teenage nieces about self-worth! I felt so incredibly bad for him and the way he was literally scraping the bottom of the douchebag barrel with Dylan. He's so desperate for people to like him that he puts up with so much shit. In the wise words of The Pussycat Dolls, Auggie you don't need a man!!! Also can we please stop leaving car keys in his vicinity...
Next, Cart. What a fucking cunt. How Theo, with his intelligence, isn't able to deduce that Cart just wants orgasms on tap was baffling. That was not a relationship, it was an arrangement between friends to have sex. Also, what the fuck kind of friend is Cart? Making the moves on his dead best friend's husband after a few months?? Bro code dude...
The mystery was interesting, but I'm really unsure as to why Theo and Auggie are even trying to solve these crimes? They're both students, neither are studying criminology or have any desire to be police so I don't really get it!
I am enjoying seeing John-Henry pre-Emery but it just doesn't feel right that Emery isn't by his side.
I'd also like to say I'm officially in the Fer fanclub. He speaks my language and I think I'd like to be friends with him 😂
I don't even know where to start!
First off, the absolute irony that Theo keeps telling Auggie he's a kid/toddler throwing a tantrum etc. when he's the one shacked up with an absolute loser because he's not emotionally mature enough to feel his big boy feelings....
Second, Auggie needs to come listen to the speech I regularly give my teenage nieces about self-worth! I felt so incredibly bad for him and the way he was literally scraping the bottom of the douchebag barrel with Dylan. He's so desperate for people to like him that he puts up with so much shit. In the wise words of The Pussycat Dolls, Auggie you don't need a man!!! Also can we please stop leaving car keys in his vicinity...
Next, Cart. What a fucking cunt. How Theo, with his intelligence, isn't able to deduce that Cart just wants orgasms on tap was baffling. That was not a relationship, it was an arrangement between friends to have sex. Also, what the fuck kind of friend is Cart? Making the moves on his dead best friend's husband after a few months?? Bro code dude...
The mystery was interesting, but I'm really unsure as to why Theo and Auggie are even trying to solve these crimes? They're both students, neither are studying criminology or have any desire to be police so I don't really get it!
I am enjoying seeing John-Henry pre-Emery but it just doesn't feel right that Emery isn't by his side.
I'd also like to say I'm officially in the Fer fanclub. He speaks my language and I think I'd like to be friends with him 😂
December 14, 2020
This second book in Gregory Ashe’s
The First Quarto
series first saw the light of day as a daily serial for members of the author’s newsletter, and I have to say, the day-to-day wait was frequently torturous! Told in alternating PoVs, the story catches up with Wroxall College student Auggie Lopez and graduate student/TA Theo Stratford, who, in They Told Me I Was Everything (which should be read first) found themselves theorising over King Lear while working together to solve a murder and forming a complicated and superbly written relationship that is shot through with affection, humour, attraction, longing and off-the-charts chemistry. Regular Ashe readers know what this means – we’re in for a gut-wrenching slow-burn before these two are ready to ride off into the sunset together, and boy – does Yet a Stranger deliver on the gut-wrenching part!
There are spoilers for They Told Me I Was Everything ahead.
Auggie - hoping for a quieter time of it than he experienced in his freshman year - is moving into the Sigma Sigma frat house before the start of the semester, having spent a not-great summer at home in California. As he’s moving his stuff in, he meets an attractive older student named Dylan who strikes up a conversation and flirts with him a little bit, and on the next day Auggie bumps into Orlando Reese, his former roommate and the guy who was borderline obsessed with him the previous year. Fortunately, Orlando has turned a corner (he’s getting help) and hopes that he and Auggie can be friends, and Auggie is quite ready to let bygones be bygones.
When, a few days later, a tearful Orlando tells Auggie that one of his brothers is missing and asks for Auggie’s help finding him, Auggie insists on asking Theo to help, too. Theo - who, like Auggie, had hoped to avoid further dangerous entanglements, and just wants to finish his thesis and put his life back together - is reluctant to get involved, but Auggie – being Auggie – persuades him. They accompany Orlando on a visit to his family to see what they can find out – and wow, once we meet the Reeses, it’s easy to understand why Orlando was such a fucked-up creep in the last book! - they’re horrible and treat Orlando like shit. Anyway. Theo and Auggie start looking for Cal, and quickly discover that he was an addict, and was most likely stealing money from the sports/training business he ran with his brother Wayne to pay for his habit. Not long after this, Theo and Auggie find Cal’s body at an out of town truck stop, at which point his death becomes a police investigation. But something isn’t right; the cops are putting it down to a drug deal gone wrong, but too much about that just doesn’t add up, and Auggie wants to continue investigating. Unfortunately, this puts him and Theo firmly in the sights of Wahredua’s (not) favourite dirty cop Al Lender, who will do whatever it takes to protect his “investments” in the local drug trade.
The mystery in Yet a Stranger is as cleverly-constructed and intriguing as ever, as the author skilfully weaves together a tapestry of lies and misdirection, pulling together seemingly unrelated threads whose significance is later revealed to have been hiding in plain sight. But the real meat of this book is found in the stellar character development and in the progress of the various personal relationships, which are frustrating, messy, complicated - and, at times, heart-breaking.
Auggie was, by his own admission, jealous and hurt when Theo told him he’d begun seeing (I can't call it dating - they're fuckbuddies) someone over the summer break. He stopped responding to Theo’s texts, which he knows was childish, so even though it’s still painful, when he meets Theo again, he apologises, determined to put it behind him and move on. But Theo’s relationship with his late husband’s former work-partner, Howie Cartwright (Cart) has upset the balance of their friendship - and they both know it, even though they both try to pretend it hasn’t. And although things start off well and they seem to be as in-tune as ever, it’s not long before cracks in their relationship start to appear, and over the course of the book they begin to drift apart. Knowing each other as well as they do means they know which buttons to press to wound, and their estrangement is exacerbated by their involvement with people who are completely wrong for them. Auggie becomes infatuated with Dylan who, it’s quickly clear, likes to play games – he blows hot and cold, drawing Auggie in, then pushing him away and subjecting him to all sorts of emotional manipulation. Still cut up about Theo (and somewhat ground down by events and his own insecurities) and so desperately wanting someone to see him, Auggie persists in trying to build something with Dylan, talking himself into believing there’s a connection where there isn’t one and failing to see the danger he’s in.
We’ve known since TTMIWE that Theo is seriously fucked-up. When he and Auggie first meet, Theo’s been on a bender; having recently lost his husband in the accident that has left their young daughter disabled, Theo has been using pills and alcohol to numb the pain for months, although as that book progresses and he starts to let Auggie into his life, he seems to become less dependent on them. When Yet a Stranger opens, he appears to be much more ‘together’ – he’s hoping to build a relationship with Cart (even though Cart is deeply closeted and clearly has no intention of coming out) but ends up allowing himself to be manipulated just as badly as Auggie is. He’s a mess of guilt and self-loathing, and as the story continues, it’s obvious that he’s not doing well at all, and a pivotal event at the mid-point sends him on a terrifying downward spiral.
Auggie has demons of his own to fight, too. His home life isn’t great; his mother is completely self-centred and doesn’t give a shit about her three sons (who all have different fathers) and it’s his oldest brother Fer who’s holding the family together. Fer obviously loves Auggie fiercely and wants him to be happy (even though his way of showing it is to yell at him using an extremely inventive and colourful range of swears!) Auggie longs for a connection with someone who will see the real him, but fears that he’s shallow and has nothing to offer.
Emotional and physical abuse are things Gregory Ashe has written about before – Emery Hazard, North McKinney and Tean Leon have all had partners who abused them physically, emotionally or both. Here, we see how Dylan screws with Auggie’s head, and how Cart manipulates Theo, and while it’s written incredibly well and feels totally plausible, it’s like watching a train-wreck; completely horrible, and impossible to look away from.
Lest you get the impression Yet a Stranger is all doom and gloom – it isn’t. Those moments when Theo and Auggie are together on the same page (figuratively and literally) and are able to be relaxed and happy with each other are perfectly cut gems, shining through the darkness that at times threatens to overwhelm them. Their scenes together sparkle with wit and hum with chemistry and genuine affection; they so clearly enjoy each other’s company and have a real and deep connection with each other, and moments like these, when they’re just Theo and Auggie goofing around are among the book’s highlights. There are some truly wonderful moments of insight, laughter, and almost unbearable sweetness between the pair that are a very welcome relief from all the shit they’re dealing with - and that they’re crazy about each other and perfect for one another is never in doubt. But in his misguided attempt to do what he thinks is the right thing by Auggie – to protect him by pushing him away – Theo makes some seriously crappy decisions, some of which had me ready to throttle him.
By the end, with the mystery solved and both men at last being honest with each other, it finally seems that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel – although I imagine that it’s going to be a far from smooth journey to reach it. Theo has a lot of work to do in dealing with what I suspect is PTSD from his brother Luke’s death, guilt over what happened to Ian and Lana, and whatever other terrible things he holds himself responsible for. And Auggie, while he acknowledges the truth of what Dylan did to him, still has to come to terms with it all, while continuing to work out who he is and who he wants to be. He grows a lot in this book and proves time and time again that maturity sometimes has little to do with age, and he shows over and over what a compassionate, loving, generous person he is. Theo is going to have to work hard to deserve him ;)
Yet a Stranger is one of those books that, while brilliantly done is, at times, really tough to read. The writing is superb and Mr. Ashe’s insight into what makes people tick never ceases to amaze me, but he puts Theo and Auggie (and us) through the wringer here, and this story goes to some pretty dark places. It was hard to grade, because I loved it and hated it at the same time. Or rather, I hated what Theo and Auggie were going through. I also hated Dylan and Cart with a passion – and I’m not usually someone who gets such strong feelings about fictional characters, so it’s testament to Mr. Ashe’s skill as a writer that I felt as strongly as I did. I get invested in characters, and in their stories, but hatred is such a strong emotion that I don’t use the term lightly. Here, however? Douchebag Dylan and Officer Scumbag are horrible and I couldn’t wait to see the back of them. But with that said, they’re nuanced and very cleverly written; they both start out seeming like decent guys, they’re plausible and appear genuinely interested in Auggie and Theo – until it becomes clear they’re not, and we begin to see how insidious – and dangerous - they really are.
In the end though, a book that evokes such strong feelings – even negative ones – deserves high praise for its writing and storytelling, and I can’t do anything other than recommend Yet a Stranger, challenging as it can be. The mystery is clever and compelling, there’s a nicely rounded-out secondary cast (plus more appearances from a pre-Hazard Somers!), a well described setting - and Theo and Auggie are supremely well-drawn, complex and intensely loveable characters who are meant for each other and impossible not to root for. I can’t wait to see what Mr. Ashe has in store for them in book three.
Warning: This book contains scenes of drug use, dubious consent in sexual situations and an attempted rape.
There are spoilers for They Told Me I Was Everything ahead.
Auggie - hoping for a quieter time of it than he experienced in his freshman year - is moving into the Sigma Sigma frat house before the start of the semester, having spent a not-great summer at home in California. As he’s moving his stuff in, he meets an attractive older student named Dylan who strikes up a conversation and flirts with him a little bit, and on the next day Auggie bumps into Orlando Reese, his former roommate and the guy who was borderline obsessed with him the previous year. Fortunately, Orlando has turned a corner (he’s getting help) and hopes that he and Auggie can be friends, and Auggie is quite ready to let bygones be bygones.
When, a few days later, a tearful Orlando tells Auggie that one of his brothers is missing and asks for Auggie’s help finding him, Auggie insists on asking Theo to help, too. Theo - who, like Auggie, had hoped to avoid further dangerous entanglements, and just wants to finish his thesis and put his life back together - is reluctant to get involved, but Auggie – being Auggie – persuades him. They accompany Orlando on a visit to his family to see what they can find out – and wow, once we meet the Reeses, it’s easy to understand why Orlando was such a fucked-up creep in the last book! - they’re horrible and treat Orlando like shit. Anyway. Theo and Auggie start looking for Cal, and quickly discover that he was an addict, and was most likely stealing money from the sports/training business he ran with his brother Wayne to pay for his habit. Not long after this, Theo and Auggie find Cal’s body at an out of town truck stop, at which point his death becomes a police investigation. But something isn’t right; the cops are putting it down to a drug deal gone wrong, but too much about that just doesn’t add up, and Auggie wants to continue investigating. Unfortunately, this puts him and Theo firmly in the sights of Wahredua’s (not) favourite dirty cop Al Lender, who will do whatever it takes to protect his “investments” in the local drug trade.
The mystery in Yet a Stranger is as cleverly-constructed and intriguing as ever, as the author skilfully weaves together a tapestry of lies and misdirection, pulling together seemingly unrelated threads whose significance is later revealed to have been hiding in plain sight. But the real meat of this book is found in the stellar character development and in the progress of the various personal relationships, which are frustrating, messy, complicated - and, at times, heart-breaking.
Auggie was, by his own admission, jealous and hurt when Theo told him he’d begun seeing (I can't call it dating - they're fuckbuddies) someone over the summer break. He stopped responding to Theo’s texts, which he knows was childish, so even though it’s still painful, when he meets Theo again, he apologises, determined to put it behind him and move on. But Theo’s relationship with his late husband’s former work-partner, Howie Cartwright (Cart) has upset the balance of their friendship - and they both know it, even though they both try to pretend it hasn’t. And although things start off well and they seem to be as in-tune as ever, it’s not long before cracks in their relationship start to appear, and over the course of the book they begin to drift apart. Knowing each other as well as they do means they know which buttons to press to wound, and their estrangement is exacerbated by their involvement with people who are completely wrong for them. Auggie becomes infatuated with Dylan who, it’s quickly clear, likes to play games – he blows hot and cold, drawing Auggie in, then pushing him away and subjecting him to all sorts of emotional manipulation. Still cut up about Theo (and somewhat ground down by events and his own insecurities) and so desperately wanting someone to see him, Auggie persists in trying to build something with Dylan, talking himself into believing there’s a connection where there isn’t one and failing to see the danger he’s in.
We’ve known since TTMIWE that Theo is seriously fucked-up. When he and Auggie first meet, Theo’s been on a bender; having recently lost his husband in the accident that has left their young daughter disabled, Theo has been using pills and alcohol to numb the pain for months, although as that book progresses and he starts to let Auggie into his life, he seems to become less dependent on them. When Yet a Stranger opens, he appears to be much more ‘together’ – he’s hoping to build a relationship with Cart (even though Cart is deeply closeted and clearly has no intention of coming out) but ends up allowing himself to be manipulated just as badly as Auggie is. He’s a mess of guilt and self-loathing, and as the story continues, it’s obvious that he’s not doing well at all, and a pivotal event at the mid-point sends him on a terrifying downward spiral.
Auggie has demons of his own to fight, too. His home life isn’t great; his mother is completely self-centred and doesn’t give a shit about her three sons (who all have different fathers) and it’s his oldest brother Fer who’s holding the family together. Fer obviously loves Auggie fiercely and wants him to be happy (even though his way of showing it is to yell at him using an extremely inventive and colourful range of swears!) Auggie longs for a connection with someone who will see the real him, but fears that he’s shallow and has nothing to offer.
Emotional and physical abuse are things Gregory Ashe has written about before – Emery Hazard, North McKinney and Tean Leon have all had partners who abused them physically, emotionally or both. Here, we see how Dylan screws with Auggie’s head, and how Cart manipulates Theo, and while it’s written incredibly well and feels totally plausible, it’s like watching a train-wreck; completely horrible, and impossible to look away from.
Lest you get the impression Yet a Stranger is all doom and gloom – it isn’t. Those moments when Theo and Auggie are together on the same page (figuratively and literally) and are able to be relaxed and happy with each other are perfectly cut gems, shining through the darkness that at times threatens to overwhelm them. Their scenes together sparkle with wit and hum with chemistry and genuine affection; they so clearly enjoy each other’s company and have a real and deep connection with each other, and moments like these, when they’re just Theo and Auggie goofing around are among the book’s highlights. There are some truly wonderful moments of insight, laughter, and almost unbearable sweetness between the pair that are a very welcome relief from all the shit they’re dealing with - and that they’re crazy about each other and perfect for one another is never in doubt. But in his misguided attempt to do what he thinks is the right thing by Auggie – to protect him by pushing him away – Theo makes some seriously crappy decisions, some of which had me ready to throttle him.
By the end, with the mystery solved and both men at last being honest with each other, it finally seems that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel – although I imagine that it’s going to be a far from smooth journey to reach it. Theo has a lot of work to do in dealing with what I suspect is PTSD from his brother Luke’s death, guilt over what happened to Ian and Lana, and whatever other terrible things he holds himself responsible for. And Auggie, while he acknowledges the truth of what Dylan did to him, still has to come to terms with it all, while continuing to work out who he is and who he wants to be. He grows a lot in this book and proves time and time again that maturity sometimes has little to do with age, and he shows over and over what a compassionate, loving, generous person he is. Theo is going to have to work hard to deserve him ;)
Yet a Stranger is one of those books that, while brilliantly done is, at times, really tough to read. The writing is superb and Mr. Ashe’s insight into what makes people tick never ceases to amaze me, but he puts Theo and Auggie (and us) through the wringer here, and this story goes to some pretty dark places. It was hard to grade, because I loved it and hated it at the same time. Or rather, I hated what Theo and Auggie were going through. I also hated Dylan and Cart with a passion – and I’m not usually someone who gets such strong feelings about fictional characters, so it’s testament to Mr. Ashe’s skill as a writer that I felt as strongly as I did. I get invested in characters, and in their stories, but hatred is such a strong emotion that I don’t use the term lightly. Here, however? Douchebag Dylan and Officer Scumbag are horrible and I couldn’t wait to see the back of them. But with that said, they’re nuanced and very cleverly written; they both start out seeming like decent guys, they’re plausible and appear genuinely interested in Auggie and Theo – until it becomes clear they’re not, and we begin to see how insidious – and dangerous - they really are.
In the end though, a book that evokes such strong feelings – even negative ones – deserves high praise for its writing and storytelling, and I can’t do anything other than recommend Yet a Stranger, challenging as it can be. The mystery is clever and compelling, there’s a nicely rounded-out secondary cast (plus more appearances from a pre-Hazard Somers!), a well described setting - and Theo and Auggie are supremely well-drawn, complex and intensely loveable characters who are meant for each other and impossible not to root for. I can’t wait to see what Mr. Ashe has in store for them in book three.
Warning: This book contains scenes of drug use, dubious consent in sexual situations and an attempted rape.
Read
April 11, 2025I avoided reading this for a reason. No idea why I thought it’s a good idea to pick it up nevertheless 😒
I liked book one, the slow SLOW burn between Auggie the student and Theo his almost-professor. And I want to see them together eventually. I loved the writing, and the narration by J. F. Harding.
And I knew. I KNEW from the reviews that both Theo and Auggie are hooking up/ are in relationships with others in this book. That’s something I hate for my characters, but it’s probably realistic. What I didn’t expect was the intensity with which I disliked said “other” partners and the way they behaved with our main characters.
The book picks up after few months after the events of book, but there’s no recap whatsoever, so - even though I read the blurb and my review from a year ago - I really struggled to put 2 and 2 together. Would have been so difficult to insert a tiny bit of throwback? I felt lost, but maybe I didn’t give it enough time.
After the first sex scene between Theo and Cart, his late husband’s former partner, I just couldn’t continue. It felt… wrong. I didn’t like how Theo was with Cart, and I loathed Cart. On top of that, the guy who’s probably going to be Auggie’s “love interest” is a douche.
Dnf. I don’t think this series is for me 😕
I liked book one, the slow SLOW burn between Auggie the student and Theo his almost-professor. And I want to see them together eventually. I loved the writing, and the narration by J. F. Harding.
And I knew. I KNEW from the reviews that both Theo and Auggie are hooking up/ are in relationships with others in this book. That’s something I hate for my characters, but it’s probably realistic. What I didn’t expect was the intensity with which I disliked said “other” partners and the way they behaved with our main characters.
The book picks up after few months after the events of book, but there’s no recap whatsoever, so - even though I read the blurb and my review from a year ago - I really struggled to put 2 and 2 together. Would have been so difficult to insert a tiny bit of throwback? I felt lost, but maybe I didn’t give it enough time.
After the first sex scene between Theo and Cart, his late husband’s former partner, I just couldn’t continue. It felt… wrong. I didn’t like how Theo was with Cart, and I loathed Cart. On top of that, the guy who’s probably going to be Auggie’s “love interest” is a douche.
Dnf. I don’t think this series is for me 😕
October 19, 2022
This was extremely frustrating.
January 9, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Cart and Dylan, they both can die in pain, these fuckers.🤬
I’m so frustrated right know. I need Theo and Auggie to be happy and together. 😩
Gregory Ashe, you’re torturing me!
Oh, and I forgot: Fer deserves his own HEA! 🫶
Cart and Dylan, they both can die in pain, these fuckers.🤬
I’m so frustrated right know. I need Theo and Auggie to be happy and together. 😩
Gregory Ashe, you’re torturing me!
Oh, and I forgot: Fer deserves his own HEA! 🫶
December 22, 2024
All this book is gratuitous angst, pain, frustration, miscommunication, violence, and disgusting, oblivious, stupid, self-destructive characters... I was mad for 95% of the book… thinking wtf Theo? Wtf Auggie? W.T.F. you all????? The other 5% was Gregory Ashe feeding old mouldy crumbs...
I hate Cart. I can't even think of enough words to make this hate evident. He breathes, and I explode in disgust and hate. Is it rational and mature of me? No. Will I stop? HELL NO! My hatred for Dylan is different... It scares me more... Both such selfish, manipulative characters...
The end… This kind of angst and frustration is new to me, and I'm still adjusting... and now look, I'm all frustrated again writing this…grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know where to start.”
Auggie stood and squared his shoulders. “Then we’ll figure it out together.”
I fucking hope so!!!!!!
PS: The book titles are passages from Shakespeare books🫠
I hate Cart. I can't even think of enough words to make this hate evident. He breathes, and I explode in disgust and hate. Is it rational and mature of me? No. Will I stop? HELL NO! My hatred for Dylan is different... It scares me more... Both such selfish, manipulative characters...
The end… This kind of angst and frustration is new to me, and I'm still adjusting... and now look, I'm all frustrated again writing this…grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know where to start.”
Auggie stood and squared his shoulders. “Then we’ll figure it out together.”
I fucking hope so!!!!!!
PS: The book titles are passages from Shakespeare books🫠
June 11, 2024
The thought of Theo with Cart makes me want to hit something. But, as the book continued there were more Theo-Auggie scenes so it was bearable.
February 9, 2025
4.5⭐️ GA brings the maximum damage. This book was pure angst, pain, and frustration. Theo and Auggie are both in terrible places emotionally, mentally, and physically.
I hate Cart and Dylan so damn much. But I can see all of this struggle and trauma as a catalyst for Theo and Auggie… for growth and development. I’m rooting so hard for them.
The mystery dragged a little for me in this one. But I think GA is so smart with his Shakespeare tie-ins. Theo’s thesis directly correlating to not only the relationship drama but also the mysteries in this series is pretty brilliant.
I hate Cart and Dylan so damn much. But I can see all of this struggle and trauma as a catalyst for Theo and Auggie… for growth and development. I’m rooting so hard for them.
The mystery dragged a little for me in this one. But I think GA is so smart with his Shakespeare tie-ins. Theo’s thesis directly correlating to not only the relationship drama but also the mysteries in this series is pretty brilliant.
January 5, 2021
Whew.
Okay.
So the thing that I like best about these two characters is that they are each doing the best they can, in their individual ways.
But Auggie is... well. Auggie. And Theo, whose life has been less than easy, is caught up because it's Auggie and he can't help it. And, there is all this other stuff going on, see Content Warning below for part of that. And, as with the first book, I like where this one ended (though I made a sound that startled the cat). I wish the third one was out already.
Content Warning: violence, typical of Ashe's work. An emotionally abusive relationship that *I* found disconcerting, when I've never even been in one. If you have, this one might be too much, though it ends satisfyingly.
Okay.
So the thing that I like best about these two characters is that they are each doing the best they can, in their individual ways.
But Auggie is... well. Auggie. And Theo, whose life has been less than easy, is caught up because it's Auggie and he can't help it. And, there is all this other stuff going on, see Content Warning below for part of that. And, as with the first book, I like where this one ended (though I made a sound that startled the cat). I wish the third one was out already.
Content Warning: violence, typical of Ashe's work. An emotionally abusive relationship that *I* found disconcerting, when I've never even been in one. If you have, this one might be too much, though it ends satisfyingly.
December 9, 2020
Don't let the juvenile-ish looking cover fool you. This is not a light hearted story about two college guys. This is angsty and heart breaking in places. These two love each other but are both messes and need to get themselves together. There is also a murder mystery running throughout. This book can not be read as a standalone. You need to read book one first.
September 1, 2022
After two nights of waking up at 3am with my thoughts all in a whir, I am finally okay. The crazy thing is, it wasn't even the question of whodunnit that had my mind churning, it was the two selfish douche nozzles the MC's partnered up with that needed to take a long walk off a short pier and never surface from the bottom. What were Theo and Auggie thinking?!?!?!
Poor Theo. If I thought his grief was heartbreaking in the first book, his fears and complete inability to cope with them in this one were even worse. In the first book we learned that Theo grew up kind of rough and, as a result, wasn't one to back down from a bar fight. But the things he did in this book were next level. I mean, the man was flipping through the pages of Romeo and Juliet with busted knuckles and zero shits to give about how he got them. He was popping Percs like candy and swallowing them down with beer. He was spinning out in spectacular fashion and truly believed no one had noticed. I hated every single one of his "coping mechanisms", especially the one who came in human form. The only thing that got me through that toxic relationship was the fact that his reasons for staying in it were so obvious. Painfully so. And it hurt so much to watch it happen, all the way down to the final few pages.
Auggie had both progressed and regressed over the summer, which I found to be such a realistic portrayal of a person trying so hard to be perceived as an adult that it actually made them look more immature. His biggest mistake also came in the form of another human being and I could not for the life of me figure out where this supposed "connection" stemmed from. It was like seeing a completely different version of Auggie. It was worse than the cardboard social media version because it was real and he didn't seem to even notice it.
The mercurial nature of Auggie and Theo's relationship made me want to scream and shake somebody. Their arguments were epic. I could have turned the words "I'm sorry" into a drinking game and would have been drunk after the first few chapters. Both of their faces became punchable in my brain so many times I began to wonder why I liked them so much. But then they would turn around and take such beautiful care of each other and do ridiculous things to protect each other and my traitorous heart would melt for them all over again.
The mystery in this one wasn't quite as gripping and didn't feel like the primary focus of the story compared to the first book. That didn't make it any less intriguing or well thought out. I was definitely pointing my finger at the wrong person near the end and have never been happier that I was wrong. I love that these books cover an entire school year. It gives so much room for the mystery, the characters and the relationships to breathe. Speaking of characters, I truly hope that Fer finds happiness in this series. His monologue about all of the things he worried about had me laughing and crying at the same time. No one can say he doesn't have a way with words. Someone needs to love that man the way he deserves.
On to book 3 now! I hope I get some sleep tonight. I know I complained about sleep taking too much time away from reading, but I really am tired. Thanks for that, Mr. Ashe.
Poor Theo. If I thought his grief was heartbreaking in the first book, his fears and complete inability to cope with them in this one were even worse. In the first book we learned that Theo grew up kind of rough and, as a result, wasn't one to back down from a bar fight. But the things he did in this book were next level. I mean, the man was flipping through the pages of Romeo and Juliet with busted knuckles and zero shits to give about how he got them. He was popping Percs like candy and swallowing them down with beer. He was spinning out in spectacular fashion and truly believed no one had noticed. I hated every single one of his "coping mechanisms", especially the one who came in human form. The only thing that got me through that toxic relationship was the fact that his reasons for staying in it were so obvious. Painfully so. And it hurt so much to watch it happen, all the way down to the final few pages.
Auggie had both progressed and regressed over the summer, which I found to be such a realistic portrayal of a person trying so hard to be perceived as an adult that it actually made them look more immature. His biggest mistake also came in the form of another human being and I could not for the life of me figure out where this supposed "connection" stemmed from. It was like seeing a completely different version of Auggie. It was worse than the cardboard social media version because it was real and he didn't seem to even notice it.
The mercurial nature of Auggie and Theo's relationship made me want to scream and shake somebody. Their arguments were epic. I could have turned the words "I'm sorry" into a drinking game and would have been drunk after the first few chapters. Both of their faces became punchable in my brain so many times I began to wonder why I liked them so much. But then they would turn around and take such beautiful care of each other and do ridiculous things to protect each other and my traitorous heart would melt for them all over again.
The mystery in this one wasn't quite as gripping and didn't feel like the primary focus of the story compared to the first book. That didn't make it any less intriguing or well thought out. I was definitely pointing my finger at the wrong person near the end and have never been happier that I was wrong. I love that these books cover an entire school year. It gives so much room for the mystery, the characters and the relationships to breathe. Speaking of characters, I truly hope that Fer finds happiness in this series. His monologue about all of the things he worried about had me laughing and crying at the same time. No one can say he doesn't have a way with words. Someone needs to love that man the way he deserves.
On to book 3 now! I hope I get some sleep tonight. I know I complained about sleep taking too much time away from reading, but I really am tired. Thanks for that, Mr. Ashe.
July 3, 2021
I definitely didn't love this in the same way I loved the first one because this hurt in a lot of ways -- the angst is, somehow, dialed up even more than the first (and considering where one character was in book one, that's saying something) -- not to mention some dynamics were uncomfortable, but I can't deny I was totally enthralled and devoured it in one sitting, so. Here we are.
April 2, 2025
Ok so this was a rollercoaster of wtf is happening xD i didn't understand much of the plot, what happened with Nia deja wayne and cal is still a mystery to me 🤓
But again, like the first book, i'm just here for the drama between thuggie and between their assh0le boyfriends who thank fk are finally out of the fking picture 🥰
But again, like the first book, i'm just here for the drama between thuggie and between their assh0le boyfriends who thank fk are finally out of the fking picture 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2022
4,25/5
C'est vraiment difficile de suivre une histoire pour moi dévoilée au compte-gouttes, chapitre après chapitre. D'autant plus lorsque c'est Gregory Ashe aux commandes ! J'ai attendu d'avoir suffisamment de chapitres sous le coude pour me lancer ^^
On reprend l'histoire là où on l'a laissée, enfin oui et non. Nouvelle rentrée pour Auggie et qui dit nouvelle rentrée dit, nouveau mystère et qui dit nouveau mystère, dit réunion du duo de choc formé par Auggie et Theo !
Mon cœur a fait un bond lorsque j'ai vu que Theo était en couple avec Cart. Non sérieusement, Gregory Ashe va avoir ma peau un jour avec ces sauts dans le temps où on loupe une certaine évolution des personnages.
Ceci dit, je comprends parfaitement le slow burn ici et pourquoi les deux personnages ne peuvent pas être en couple.
J'adore Auggie, j'adore Theo et j'adore les deux ensemble. Leur duo fonctionne à merveille, j'aime chacune de leurs interactions. L'alchimie est toujours aussi présente, ils sont si complémentaires.
J'ai une préférence pour la première moitié du roman ici. Je ne sais pas si c'est du au fait que les chapitres étaient plus courts dans la deuxième ou je ne sais pas... L'intrigue de fond était vraiment chouette, on avançait doucement mais sûrement avec les personnages.
J'ai halluciné à ma lecture du dernier chapitre, comment l'auteur peut-il nous faire ça ?
Ce dernier chapitre était superbe, et ce que j'ai été fier d'Auggie ! Il prouve encore une fois qu'à côté de son jeune âge, de son humour et pitreries, il gagne en maturité et a la force de réagir correctement face à l'annonce de Theo.
Theo et Auggie avancent doucement dans leur relation, ils ne sont pas prêts à former un couple à part entière. Pour le moment, ce sont deux amis qui s'aiment vraiment et c'est le plus important !
Vivement la suite !!!
C'est vraiment difficile de suivre une histoire pour moi dévoilée au compte-gouttes, chapitre après chapitre. D'autant plus lorsque c'est Gregory Ashe aux commandes ! J'ai attendu d'avoir suffisamment de chapitres sous le coude pour me lancer ^^
On reprend l'histoire là où on l'a laissée, enfin oui et non. Nouvelle rentrée pour Auggie et qui dit nouvelle rentrée dit, nouveau mystère et qui dit nouveau mystère, dit réunion du duo de choc formé par Auggie et Theo !
Mon cœur a fait un bond lorsque j'ai vu que Theo était en couple avec Cart. Non sérieusement, Gregory Ashe va avoir ma peau un jour avec ces sauts dans le temps où on loupe une certaine évolution des personnages.
Ceci dit, je comprends parfaitement le slow burn ici et pourquoi les deux personnages ne peuvent pas être en couple.
J'adore Auggie, j'adore Theo et j'adore les deux ensemble. Leur duo fonctionne à merveille, j'aime chacune de leurs interactions. L'alchimie est toujours aussi présente, ils sont si complémentaires.
J'ai une préférence pour la première moitié du roman ici. Je ne sais pas si c'est du au fait que les chapitres étaient plus courts dans la deuxième ou je ne sais pas... L'intrigue de fond était vraiment chouette, on avançait doucement mais sûrement avec les personnages.
J'ai halluciné à ma lecture du dernier chapitre, comment l'auteur peut-il nous faire ça ?
Ce dernier chapitre était superbe, et ce que j'ai été fier d'Auggie ! Il prouve encore une fois qu'à côté de son jeune âge, de son humour et pitreries, il gagne en maturité et a la force de réagir correctement face à l'annonce de Theo.
Theo et Auggie avancent doucement dans leur relation, ils ne sont pas prêts à former un couple à part entière. Pour le moment, ce sont deux amis qui s'aiment vraiment et c'est le plus important !
Vivement la suite !!!
September 29, 2023
This is as great a read as any Gregory Ashe book.
Thought provoking plot with characters who have substance. I can’t wait to see where things go next with these 2.
Only negative for me was that we didn’t get to read on page how Dylan got a beat down :)
Thought provoking plot with characters who have substance. I can’t wait to see where things go next with these 2.
Only negative for me was that we didn’t get to read on page how Dylan got a beat down :)
July 2, 2022
Wow! And here we go …heading into typical Gregory Ashe ‘suffering’ territory!
(And if you have read any of his books you know he’s a top expert at cutting our hearts out!)
It’s a year on after book 1.
And despite how Auggie and Theo ended things (not that anything in particular had really started, to Auggie’s regret), they do team up, reluctantly, again to solve another mystery.
In typical Gregory Ashe style, Auggie and Theo’s relationship is very much on the slooooooooow burner. But, to be honest, it has to be, because ....
a.) Auggie is still very young (but doing a lot of growing up in this instalment) and while he seems to be sure how he feels, he does have a chip on his shoulder about being treated 'like a child', trying to 'prove' himself non-stop. Which is the cause of quite a few problems ....
b) Theo takes a turn for the worse with his mental health, hardly coping with his trauma. But he does have a habit of patronising Auggie, not because he doesn't trust him, but because Thepo's protectiveness takes over. Which causes quite a few issues....
But let's face it, in my books, he's often totally right!
c) Both men try to have something like a relationship with guys that are total a******s, and they both suffer for it. Cart and Dylan raised my hackles big time – or to put it to the point … what a couple of douchebags! I hated how both take advantage and manipulate our guys! And it juxtaposes so much, how much more genuine Auggie and Theo are together.
BUT …these are not ready to tango together YET. Certainly not for a serious, lasting relationship. Surprisingly, there are major admissions of feelings at the end. Interesting and unexpected! I can hardly wait where things go from here!
Things I need to mention …
.) Fer’s (Auggie’s brother) swearing: Never have I read such flowery, highly original, outrageous cussing. It’s hilarious and had me chuckle again and again.
.) I love how GA is using lines from Shakespeare’s plays for his titles … very clever!
.) Orlando’s family is the pits, and, like in many books before, the author shines at describing some truly despicable people.
.) I liked how the mystery spread over many months, very realistic and interesting.
What can I say … I was overwhelmed with a whole range of feelings, anything from hilarity to hatred, and can’t wait for the third instalment in the series.
(And if you have read any of his books you know he’s a top expert at cutting our hearts out!)
It’s a year on after book 1.
And despite how Auggie and Theo ended things (not that anything in particular had really started, to Auggie’s regret), they do team up, reluctantly, again to solve another mystery.
In typical Gregory Ashe style, Auggie and Theo’s relationship is very much on the slooooooooow burner. But, to be honest, it has to be, because ....
a.) Auggie is still very young (but doing a lot of growing up in this instalment) and while he seems to be sure how he feels, he does have a chip on his shoulder about being treated 'like a child', trying to 'prove' himself non-stop. Which is the cause of quite a few problems ....
b) Theo takes a turn for the worse with his mental health, hardly coping with his trauma. But he does have a habit of patronising Auggie, not because he doesn't trust him, but because Thepo's protectiveness takes over. Which causes quite a few issues....
But let's face it, in my books, he's often totally right!
c) Both men try to have something like a relationship with guys that are total a******s, and they both suffer for it. Cart and Dylan raised my hackles big time – or to put it to the point … what a couple of douchebags! I hated how both take advantage and manipulate our guys! And it juxtaposes so much, how much more genuine Auggie and Theo are together.
BUT …these are not ready to tango together YET. Certainly not for a serious, lasting relationship. Surprisingly, there are major admissions of feelings at the end. Interesting and unexpected! I can hardly wait where things go from here!
Things I need to mention …
.) Fer’s (Auggie’s brother) swearing: Never have I read such flowery, highly original, outrageous cussing. It’s hilarious and had me chuckle again and again.
.) I love how GA is using lines from Shakespeare’s plays for his titles … very clever!
.) Orlando’s family is the pits, and, like in many books before, the author shines at describing some truly despicable people.
.) I liked how the mystery spread over many months, very realistic and interesting.
What can I say … I was overwhelmed with a whole range of feelings, anything from hilarity to hatred, and can’t wait for the third instalment in the series.
September 16, 2022
Angst dialed to 11
Writing this review as I read the book…
Auggie comes back to school and is living in his frat house. Theo is now a TA to a lecherous professor and not running his own classes as before.
Over the summer break, Auggie stopped talking to Theo for good reasons. BUT..Theo took a knife meant for Auggie and somehow they can’t work out their feelings for one another. Ugh. At least I know how it turns out,but I think the getting there is going to be frustrating. Side note. I’m NOT a fan of Cart OR Dylan. Gregory Ashe is the master of inserting super unlikeable characters into the story that we are somehow supposed to tolerate. Cart isn’t as bad as North’s ex at least but Dylan might be!
These characters are put through the wringer! Alá North and Shaw torture.
This mystery takes months and months to get answers too. Auggie and Theo’s relationship disintegrates and then it’s renewed several times. Angst level to 11.
The end left me a bit dizzy. I know what happens to these characters eventually because of the H&S series. I feel like I may need to reread that series because of Auggie and Theo’s part in it. Theo and Auggie are in a real bad place but eventually they need to find their way to each other AND stop being in constant peril! They are getting frequent flyer point at that hospital. Off to read book 3… I’m ready for some bright spots hopefully..
Writing this review as I read the book…
Auggie comes back to school and is living in his frat house. Theo is now a TA to a lecherous professor and not running his own classes as before.
Over the summer break, Auggie stopped talking to Theo for good reasons. BUT..Theo took a knife meant for Auggie and somehow they can’t work out their feelings for one another. Ugh. At least I know how it turns out,but I think the getting there is going to be frustrating. Side note. I’m NOT a fan of Cart OR Dylan. Gregory Ashe is the master of inserting super unlikeable characters into the story that we are somehow supposed to tolerate. Cart isn’t as bad as North’s ex at least but Dylan might be!
These characters are put through the wringer! Alá North and Shaw torture.
This mystery takes months and months to get answers too. Auggie and Theo’s relationship disintegrates and then it’s renewed several times. Angst level to 11.
The end left me a bit dizzy. I know what happens to these characters eventually because of the H&S series. I feel like I may need to reread that series because of Auggie and Theo’s part in it. Theo and Auggie are in a real bad place but eventually they need to find their way to each other AND stop being in constant peril! They are getting frequent flyer point at that hospital. Off to read book 3… I’m ready for some bright spots hopefully..
December 6, 2020
Reading this one chapter per day, as it's being serialized, was a bit like self-inflicted torture. Not being able to read ahead when it's at a really good spot. Not being able to read ahead when it's at a really bad spot.
Dylan was something, wasn't he? Some of those scenes were hard to read, and having to deal with the alternating POV switch, so having to wait 2 days to find out if the other shoe was going to drop was almost nauseating.
I can't wait for the next one in this series, and of course if Gregory Ashe serializes it like with the first two, I'll go for the sweet torture of reading it one chapter a day, because the thought of waiting for the novel to be released is an even more torturous thought.
Dylan was something, wasn't he? Some of those scenes were hard to read, and having to deal with the alternating POV switch, so having to wait 2 days to find out if the other shoe was going to drop was almost nauseating.
I can't wait for the next one in this series, and of course if Gregory Ashe serializes it like with the first two, I'll go for the sweet torture of reading it one chapter a day, because the thought of waiting for the novel to be released is an even more torturous thought.
June 30, 2022
Gregory Ashe I would like to request the next one please. I am obsessed with Auggie and Theo and even went back and re-read parts of Hazard and Somerset to get more of them now that I know them better.
January 1, 2021
Really enjoyed these two books ... I love Gregory Ashes work - witty, clever and consuming. This is all about the connections here, throw in some mystery, vulnerability and snark. Loved it ❤️
August 8, 2021
Although I love Mr. Ashe's books, I haven't really fallen in love with this series yet but as I have said previously about his books, I never really get into them until around the third book, and then I start loving them. So this is book 2 and it was problematic for me. I understand he is huge on slow-burns and I have a love/hate with that but I definitely seek them out and love and simultaneously hate the delicious yearning I feel while reading these books. I feel that aspect fills a weird need in me to have that feeling (is there a word or term for that, maybe in a different language than English?)
My main problem with this series is that neither of the MCs is qualified to investigate crimes/mysteries and with Theo dealing with his grief, I don't know if it's the fact that he wants to spend time with and keep Auggie safe that he keeps going along with it. The line between bravery and stupidity is SUPER thin here, especially after both have been severely injured.
I still like both characters and I understand how Auggie feels like no one takes him seriously because of his age. He is on the cusp of adulthood and I think he feels the need to prove himself. He is sweet and funny and smart. It would be hard not to love him even if he is still an annoying little shit.
And there's fucking Dillon and Cart. Sigh, Dillon is a straight-up POS and his type is everywhere. His emotional manipulation is entirely too common and he preys on people who are too kind, too naive, and/or too insecure to have the mental fortitude to fight back. They are the worst with gaslighting and that is a trigger in my life that will make me furious even though I am relatively mild-mannered.
Cart on the other hand is just sooo screwed up about his sexuality and his internalized homophobia was very damaging to Theo while he was so vulnerable. Cart also manipulated Theo but he was less intentional but still rough on Theo.
I hope that Auggie and Theo can take things slow with their relationship and try to come at it in a healthier way. If Theo does want to be with Auggie though, he has to stop with the push/pull thing he does because it's so painful for both of them. If he is too conflicted then he needs to move on and not dangle Auggie by a string.
This series is so different from Hazard and Somerset and even Shaw and North and although that's a good thing, it's in the last place of my favorites from Gregory Ashe, but who knows how that will change in the next books.
I wanted to edit that I wanted to wrap poor Orlando up in a warm blankie and never let anyone hurt him again. He is a poor, messed up cinnamon roll and he deserves some happiness.
My main problem with this series is that neither of the MCs is qualified to investigate crimes/mysteries and with Theo dealing with his grief, I don't know if it's the fact that he wants to spend time with and keep Auggie safe that he keeps going along with it. The line between bravery and stupidity is SUPER thin here, especially after both have been severely injured.
I still like both characters and I understand how Auggie feels like no one takes him seriously because of his age. He is on the cusp of adulthood and I think he feels the need to prove himself. He is sweet and funny and smart. It would be hard not to love him even if he is still an annoying little shit.
And there's fucking Dillon and Cart. Sigh, Dillon is a straight-up POS and his type is everywhere. His emotional manipulation is entirely too common and he preys on people who are too kind, too naive, and/or too insecure to have the mental fortitude to fight back. They are the worst with gaslighting and that is a trigger in my life that will make me furious even though I am relatively mild-mannered.
Cart on the other hand is just sooo screwed up about his sexuality and his internalized homophobia was very damaging to Theo while he was so vulnerable. Cart also manipulated Theo but he was less intentional but still rough on Theo.
I hope that Auggie and Theo can take things slow with their relationship and try to come at it in a healthier way. If Theo does want to be with Auggie though, he has to stop with the push/pull thing he does because it's so painful for both of them. If he is too conflicted then he needs to move on and not dangle Auggie by a string.
This series is so different from Hazard and Somerset and even Shaw and North and although that's a good thing, it's in the last place of my favorites from Gregory Ashe, but who knows how that will change in the next books.
I wanted to edit that I wanted to wrap poor Orlando up in a warm blankie and never let anyone hurt him again. He is a poor, messed up cinnamon roll and he deserves some happiness.
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