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Hazard and Somerset: Arrows in the Hand #3
Domestic Animals
Sometimes, the most dangerous animals are the ones you let inside.
When a man hires Emery Hazard to track down a teenager who, he claims, robbed him, Hazard isn’t convinced. The story has holes in it, and the client seems eager—too eager—to keep the authorities from getting involved. But Hazard is willing to play along; he suspects something much darker is going on, and he wants to know what it is.
Then his husband, John-Henry Somerset, connects the boy in question to an ongoing suspicious death investigation, and both men realize they’ve stumbled upon something much more complicated. There are too many loose threads: missing money, stolen jewelry, a husband back from the dead, and a string of violent assaults on men paying for sex. And there are too many people with their own agendas.
After Hazard’s client turns up dead, though, the pressure is on. The killer isn’t done yet, and the closer Hazard and Somers come to unearthing the connection between the victims, the greater the danger. They find themselves in a race to uncover the truth before another victim is claimed—and, if Somers is really lucky, in time for him to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day.
When a man hires Emery Hazard to track down a teenager who, he claims, robbed him, Hazard isn’t convinced. The story has holes in it, and the client seems eager—too eager—to keep the authorities from getting involved. But Hazard is willing to play along; he suspects something much darker is going on, and he wants to know what it is.
Then his husband, John-Henry Somerset, connects the boy in question to an ongoing suspicious death investigation, and both men realize they’ve stumbled upon something much more complicated. There are too many loose threads: missing money, stolen jewelry, a husband back from the dead, and a string of violent assaults on men paying for sex. And there are too many people with their own agendas.
After Hazard’s client turns up dead, though, the pressure is on. The killer isn’t done yet, and the closer Hazard and Somers come to unearthing the connection between the victims, the greater the danger. They find themselves in a race to uncover the truth before another victim is claimed—and, if Somers is really lucky, in time for him to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day.
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 11, 2022
69 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Ashe
135 books1,785 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 138 reviews
April 16, 2022
Audiobook - 4 stars
story - 3.35 stars
Going into this one with very low expectations really helped me. This series is really turning into something else, I hope GA will do a 180. We have come so far, Hazard and Somers deserve better.
Characters
Hazard!! Oh lawd! What happened? I know people change but Hazard is just ugh! he is becoming an angry cringe hulk character. The Hazard I used to know, is a sweet grumpy loving kind man. He is constantly angry, can't even hold a descent conversation without turning into a hulk. It really sucks. And he has become so mean.
Somers! Oh boy, he is another one who has changed. Somers has been reduced to a referee, just a person who is there to calm Hazard down and intervene between him and Colt. It feels like he is just there to please the two. Which I think is unfair to him. The smiling, annoying lovable Somers is gone. Another Ugh! His work life is exhausting and instead of finding peace at home he comes back to hulk and an annoying teenager.
Colt - What an annoying, entitled teenager. Why is he even here? I feel like his character is stuck, no growth at all. He is also taking up so much space in these books.
Dulac - Should have been killed off.
Theo and Auggiiieee!! Awww. I hope GA doesn't ruin you guys. You are my only hope.
Evie - she needs more page, I guess Colt is taking up the pages but she deserves more.
Mystery
The mystery kept me glued till the end. It was very interesting and kept me glued until the end. Loved the little twists and turns. I was looking forward to this more than their home lives. Which is not a good sign, I love this series because of the characters.
Overall! I wish I liked it more but I can't ignore all the annoying things.
A copy of the Audiobook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
story - 3.35 stars
Going into this one with very low expectations really helped me. This series is really turning into something else, I hope GA will do a 180. We have come so far, Hazard and Somers deserve better.
Characters
Hazard!! Oh lawd! What happened? I know people change but Hazard is just ugh! he is becoming an angry cringe hulk character. The Hazard I used to know, is a sweet grumpy loving kind man. He is constantly angry, can't even hold a descent conversation without turning into a hulk. It really sucks. And he has become so mean.
Somers! Oh boy, he is another one who has changed. Somers has been reduced to a referee, just a person who is there to calm Hazard down and intervene between him and Colt. It feels like he is just there to please the two. Which I think is unfair to him. The smiling, annoying lovable Somers is gone. Another Ugh! His work life is exhausting and instead of finding peace at home he comes back to hulk and an annoying teenager.
Colt - What an annoying, entitled teenager. Why is he even here? I feel like his character is stuck, no growth at all. He is also taking up so much space in these books.
Dulac - Should have been killed off.
Theo and Auggiiieee!! Awww. I hope GA doesn't ruin you guys. You are my only hope.
Evie - she needs more page, I guess Colt is taking up the pages but she deserves more.
Mystery
The mystery kept me glued till the end. It was very interesting and kept me glued until the end. Loved the little twists and turns. I was looking forward to this more than their home lives. Which is not a good sign, I love this series because of the characters.
Overall! I wish I liked it more but I can't ignore all the annoying things.
A copy of the Audiobook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
No I have not been hacked. And no I’m not sick. I don’t think. (Runs to check temperature.)🤣😭
This is me giving a GA book three stars. 😬 (Actually I have given a few of them but they are rare and I think only one was for H&S.)
I need to do a full review ASAP because this was due last Friday. But it’ll be in the next few days.
But basically while I found the mystery engaging, I found myself disappointed in the continued regression of my boy’s relationship and character development. It troubled me during the last one but really got to me in this one. The last 25% had me feeling beautiful things but that wasn’t enough to erase how I felt the rest of the book.
I still love you John and Ree but you really made me sad. And a little mad.
More to come. It won’t all be bad!!
No I have not been hacked. And no I’m not sick. I don’t think. (Runs to check temperature.)🤣😭
This is me giving a GA book three stars. 😬 (Actually I have given a few of them but they are rare and I think only one was for H&S.)
I need to do a full review ASAP because this was due last Friday. But it’ll be in the next few days.
But basically while I found the mystery engaging, I found myself disappointed in the continued regression of my boy’s relationship and character development. It troubled me during the last one but really got to me in this one. The last 25% had me feeling beautiful things but that wasn’t enough to erase how I felt the rest of the book.
I still love you John and Ree but you really made me sad. And a little mad.
More to come. It won’t all be bad!!
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645500038i%2F37448930._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 19, 2022
"John-Henry," he said—the name he never used, the name that went all the way back between them. "Will you dance with me?"
Somers smiled as a tear slipped free. He wiped it away, nodded, and let Hazard lead him into a dance. Their bodies fit together. Hazard had already known that, but this was different. They fit together here, but here was also a kind of then, and so of course it was different, this having Somers's head on his shoulder, this warmth of body against body, this tremor in his chest.
the ending saved it for me. the whole scene at the formal dance was so beautiful yet heartbreaking (bc of the memories of their past), but the way they finally had their dance, together, was just 🥺
every time there's a flashback of their past, it always makes me wonder of the what ifs. what if they decided to explore their feelings back then? would they still have the happy ending they have now? what if they dated secretly? although, if i look at the picture overall, i don't think it would have worked out in the long run (at least, at the time) bc Somers had repressed how he felt, bullying Hazard as a way to fit in. meanwhile, Hazard would have been a 'secret' if something more happened between them, which would be unfair to him. but there would be these moments when Somers would tell Hazard how he would look at him from afar and he'd feel something, even if he couldn't really realize how strong and deep it would become back then and it's scenes like that, that make me wonder of the what if they explored their feelings...and what if it worked out?
Somers smiled as a tear slipped free. He wiped it away, nodded, and let Hazard lead him into a dance. Their bodies fit together. Hazard had already known that, but this was different. They fit together here, but here was also a kind of then, and so of course it was different, this having Somers's head on his shoulder, this warmth of body against body, this tremor in his chest.
the ending saved it for me. the whole scene at the formal dance was so beautiful yet heartbreaking (bc of the memories of their past), but the way they finally had their dance, together, was just 🥺
every time there's a flashback of their past, it always makes me wonder of the what ifs. what if they decided to explore their feelings back then? would they still have the happy ending they have now? what if they dated secretly? although, if i look at the picture overall, i don't think it would have worked out in the long run (at least, at the time) bc Somers had repressed how he felt, bullying Hazard as a way to fit in. meanwhile, Hazard would have been a 'secret' if something more happened between them, which would be unfair to him. but there would be these moments when Somers would tell Hazard how he would look at him from afar and he'd feel something, even if he couldn't really realize how strong and deep it would become back then and it's scenes like that, that make me wonder of the what if they explored their feelings...and what if it worked out?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2022
3.5 stars ⭐️ No wonder when I did start this book why I said that I was going to get a headache for myself. It was a lot. But I finished it within a reasonable time, and that counts as a win.
I don't like Dulac, and he is everywhere in this book. On the other hand, there is Colt’s shit, and the way he was arguing with Hazard and Somers didn't make me feel any better. He was such a verbally aggressive teen.
On top of everything, I feel like Somers and Hazard have drifted apart. They hardly have time for themselves, and they both are dealing with everyone's mess. It was so frustrating.
Nevertheless, the mystery in here was good. I really enjoyed how it twisted at the end.
About the ending, I really like it, and finally, thank God, Somers and Hazard got a little bit of time for themselves. 😍😍
Hoping the next book will be much better than this one.
I don't like Dulac, and he is everywhere in this book. On the other hand, there is Colt’s shit, and the way he was arguing with Hazard and Somers didn't make me feel any better. He was such a verbally aggressive teen.
On top of everything, I feel like Somers and Hazard have drifted apart. They hardly have time for themselves, and they both are dealing with everyone's mess. It was so frustrating.
Nevertheless, the mystery in here was good. I really enjoyed how it twisted at the end.
About the ending, I really like it, and finally, thank God, Somers and Hazard got a little bit of time for themselves. 😍😍
Hoping the next book will be much better than this one.
April 1, 2022
3,5 stars
After my rather pained reading experience of book 2, I was a bit reluctant to start book 3.
I love Hazard and Somers. Hazard is definitely one of my top favourite characters.
I love that these two ‘made it’ despite so many horrifying hurdles.
And somehow seeing them revert to bad old behaviour patterns hurt. A lot.
It’s not that I’d expect to see them riding into the sunset with a trouble-free future ahead of them, but I was hoping for a bit of peace, a bit of calm, a bit of prolonged happiness and more steadiness in their relationship.
Domestic Animals was a marginally ‘easier’ read for me. The last third really lifted my spirits because I could feel that connection between them again, that bond that was once so fragile and easily ripped but is strong and vibrant now. Well, at least in the last third …
Before that, I was like
I realize that Somers and Hazard are trying to figure out how to parent. Something that went tragically wrong in book 2, for all of them.
Hazard and his ‘zero tolerance’ approach causes a lot of problems here again. He’s like a raging bull when Cole does something wrong. And both react accordingly – totally over the top. It was cringingly painful to watch, tbh.
Hazard is a thoughtful guy, and while rough on the outside, fiercely loyal and caring on the inside. I really think he would have learnt a lesson by now how to approach Cole. Admittedly, he seems to make big steps towards that in the later stages of the book, but I did not enjoy seeing him so extreme before.
Particularly, as he gets a great example ‘how this could be done’ by his own his mother:
she had given him a safe place to let go of his guilt and frustration with himself and, most of all, his pain.
Bottom line is that I feel that Hazard’s characterization has gone a bit over the top in that respect, and I don’t like it one bit.
On the other side of the coin … I tried really hard to be more understanding towards Cole.
I mean, I get it: He is a hot mess on all levels. He is overwhelmed by teenage hormones. He has gone through a hellish upbringing. He is deeply vulnerable. He is craving Hazard’s approval and can’t cope when he doesn’t get it.
Saying that, his behaviour is too outrageous, too extreme at times, imo.
And Somers: being the middle man between Hazard and Cole is exhausting. With that and his increasingly burdening workload, he is near a nervous breakdown or even a total burn-out. It pains me that Hazard can’t see it for so long, that he adds to Somers’s burden. Thank God, that Hazard comes through trumps for him in the end.
And the Valentine's scene at the very end is pure gold, that's for sure!
In case you are wondering … yes, there is a super interesting case happening here, too! It brings Somers and Hazrad’s work together and as always I love seeing them work together. Thoroughly enjoyed the mystery here.
But my main question to Gregory Ashe remains the same as last time … what are you doing to my Hazard?
After my rather pained reading experience of book 2, I was a bit reluctant to start book 3.
I love Hazard and Somers. Hazard is definitely one of my top favourite characters.
I love that these two ‘made it’ despite so many horrifying hurdles.
And somehow seeing them revert to bad old behaviour patterns hurt. A lot.
It’s not that I’d expect to see them riding into the sunset with a trouble-free future ahead of them, but I was hoping for a bit of peace, a bit of calm, a bit of prolonged happiness and more steadiness in their relationship.
Domestic Animals was a marginally ‘easier’ read for me. The last third really lifted my spirits because I could feel that connection between them again, that bond that was once so fragile and easily ripped but is strong and vibrant now. Well, at least in the last third …
Before that, I was like
I realize that Somers and Hazard are trying to figure out how to parent. Something that went tragically wrong in book 2, for all of them.
Hazard and his ‘zero tolerance’ approach causes a lot of problems here again. He’s like a raging bull when Cole does something wrong. And both react accordingly – totally over the top. It was cringingly painful to watch, tbh.
Hazard is a thoughtful guy, and while rough on the outside, fiercely loyal and caring on the inside. I really think he would have learnt a lesson by now how to approach Cole. Admittedly, he seems to make big steps towards that in the later stages of the book, but I did not enjoy seeing him so extreme before.
Particularly, as he gets a great example ‘how this could be done’ by his own his mother:
she had given him a safe place to let go of his guilt and frustration with himself and, most of all, his pain.
Bottom line is that I feel that Hazard’s characterization has gone a bit over the top in that respect, and I don’t like it one bit.
On the other side of the coin … I tried really hard to be more understanding towards Cole.
I mean, I get it: He is a hot mess on all levels. He is overwhelmed by teenage hormones. He has gone through a hellish upbringing. He is deeply vulnerable. He is craving Hazard’s approval and can’t cope when he doesn’t get it.
Saying that, his behaviour is too outrageous, too extreme at times, imo.
And Somers: being the middle man between Hazard and Cole is exhausting. With that and his increasingly burdening workload, he is near a nervous breakdown or even a total burn-out. It pains me that Hazard can’t see it for so long, that he adds to Somers’s burden. Thank God, that Hazard comes through trumps for him in the end.
And the Valentine's scene at the very end is pure gold, that's for sure!
In case you are wondering … yes, there is a super interesting case happening here, too! It brings Somers and Hazrad’s work together and as always I love seeing them work together. Thoroughly enjoyed the mystery here.
But my main question to Gregory Ashe remains the same as last time … what are you doing to my Hazard?
May 17, 2025
I love John-Henry, I really do, but christ on a fucking cracker, that man.....
If I were Emery, I would have left John a long time ago 😂 Why he still thinks that he shouldn't have to do his share of the housework, look after his kids, or have time alone with his husband instead of hanging out with friends, is beyond me. He is so incredibly selfish and self-absorbed sometimes! He still seems to be in the mindset that he's a single guy with no dependents or responsibilities!
I wanted to scream that he can't be best buds with his colleagues anymore because he's their superior now and it really does change the dynamic of their relationships. Mostly I wanted him to wake up and realise that people exist outside of the police station, that weren't part of his past, or pals with his parents, and that there were plenty of people he could be friends with!
Emery was amazing in this book though. He held everything together and when he fucked up, he worked out how to fix things without John holding his hand or coaching him. I like seeing how Emery is getting more confident in judging social situations too, even though he hates them and doesn't understand.
Palomo is annoying the life out of me, Gray is annoying me more and more too.
The crime was really interesting though and I liked how many people were involved.
I still love Colt though and I'm so happy he and Ash will be getting a book!!!
If I were Emery, I would have left John a long time ago 😂 Why he still thinks that he shouldn't have to do his share of the housework, look after his kids, or have time alone with his husband instead of hanging out with friends, is beyond me. He is so incredibly selfish and self-absorbed sometimes! He still seems to be in the mindset that he's a single guy with no dependents or responsibilities!
I wanted to scream that he can't be best buds with his colleagues anymore because he's their superior now and it really does change the dynamic of their relationships. Mostly I wanted him to wake up and realise that people exist outside of the police station, that weren't part of his past, or pals with his parents, and that there were plenty of people he could be friends with!
Emery was amazing in this book though. He held everything together and when he fucked up, he worked out how to fix things without John holding his hand or coaching him. I like seeing how Emery is getting more confident in judging social situations too, even though he hates them and doesn't understand.
Palomo is annoying the life out of me, Gray is annoying me more and more too.
The crime was really interesting though and I liked how many people were involved.
I still love Colt though and I'm so happy he and Ash will be getting a book!!!
February 18, 2023
I'm truly surprised by all the mediocre reviews of this one because this was my favorite of the series so far. oops
I loved the mystery and how the storylines converged. I can't remember the last time I said "WHAT?!?!" aloud while reading a book this many time.
The Colt/Ash kerfuffle had me on pins and needles throughout. What happened? Will they get back together? Was it a bicurious type situation that went awry? Why can't these two knuckleheads work their shit out??? Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh?
True, Somers is struggling mightily and that was tough to read but given the events of Custody Battles I can understand why he's out of sorts.
They both are trying to figure out this parenting a teen thing and I really felt for Emery. He's never been a shrinking violet but being thrown into having to deal with all the teen angst brings up some unresolved pain that he handles in true blue Emery Hazard fashion.
Kinda broke my heart but he's a work in progress and changing his 'strike first ask for forgiveness later' tactics are going to bubble up from time to time. It's been a tried and true strategy in his life just as Somers has been the social butterfly that's been liked by everyone for most of his and that's all become a Herculean challenge now that he's chief which he's not handling that well either.
In this case, the shitshow worked for me.
Perhaps I drank the Kool-Aid? Excuse me, drank too much of the Kool-Aid?
Their imperfections are what makes me coming back for more. Plus, when they're on they are straight 🔥🔥🔥.
Case in point:
Priceless.
Hopefully the remainder of the series keeps getting better and if the interlude between this and Father Complex (which I've no idea why they aren't on GR but I'm too lazy to add them) is any indication then I'm in for a treat! That whole scene with the tube socks and fire alarm caused me to wake up in the middle of the night laughing.
I loved the mystery and how the storylines converged. I can't remember the last time I said "WHAT?!?!" aloud while reading a book this many time.
The Colt/Ash kerfuffle had me on pins and needles throughout. What happened? Will they get back together? Was it a bicurious type situation that went awry? Why can't these two knuckleheads work their shit out??? Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh?
True, Somers is struggling mightily and that was tough to read but given the events of Custody Battles I can understand why he's out of sorts.
They both are trying to figure out this parenting a teen thing and I really felt for Emery. He's never been a shrinking violet but being thrown into having to deal with all the teen angst brings up some unresolved pain that he handles in true blue Emery Hazard fashion.
Kinda broke my heart but he's a work in progress and changing his 'strike first ask for forgiveness later' tactics are going to bubble up from time to time. It's been a tried and true strategy in his life just as Somers has been the social butterfly that's been liked by everyone for most of his and that's all become a Herculean challenge now that he's chief which he's not handling that well either.
In this case, the shitshow worked for me.
Perhaps I drank the Kool-Aid? Excuse me, drank too much of the Kool-Aid?
Their imperfections are what makes me coming back for more. Plus, when they're on they are straight 🔥🔥🔥.
Case in point:
"You obviously like John, and he seems to like you, and ninety percent of the people in this town are swollen fucknuts, so you've officially made it to probationary status as couple friends. Please plan accordingly."
Priceless.
Hopefully the remainder of the series keeps getting better and if the interlude between this and Father Complex (which I've no idea why they aren't on GR but I'm too lazy to add them) is any indication then I'm in for a treat! That whole scene with the tube socks and fire alarm caused me to wake up in the middle of the night laughing.
March 6, 2022
At this point in reading Gregory Ashe, having long since resigned myself to happily reading his grocery list if he were to text it to me, what else can I say other than: we’ve got another killer mystery on our hands, and Domestic Animals is the book I’ve been waiting for in this third arc of Hazard and Somerset.
Ashe’s well-known style is front and center in this third title of Arrows in the Hand. It’s gritty, dark, profoundly intense and intimate in its character development, and wonderfully multi-layered in its murder mystery plot. Hazard and Somers are still married and still employed—private detective and chief of police, respectively. That’s the good news. The bad news is basically everything else: their foster son Colt is living his teenage years 110%, which puts stress on not only their entire family unit, but on the relationship between Hazard and Somers in particular. Not in such a way that they’re at each other’s throats—it’s a much more real, quiet, and terrifying worry that Somers struggles with for most of the book—that their romance is dying. Add to this, Somers’ job is making him miserable, he misses being a detective, and a case Hazard is working that his husband suspects is related to CP is now somehow a part of a murder the police are investigating, Somers is this close to giving up.
Every arc in this series always has that one title that’s a turning point for Somers, whose growth I find particularly interesting, as he struggles much more with the nuances of fitting into society than Hazard tends to. Add to that the conflicting relationship he has with one of his kids, the ever-constant struggle of overcoming an addiction, and there’s just so much realism and relatability in his highs and lows. And luckily for us, this book ends on a high—because while life has been in an upheaval for a time, neither man has forgotten they’re in it together, and that reminder was incredibly touching. Ashe puts his readers through hell, but when he’s sweet, I always forgive him for the heartbreak. Lol!
I cannot wait to read the final two books in this arc and see how Ashe wraps up the lives (for now?) of some incredible LGBT mystery characters that, in my opinion, have earned a solid place in the history of this genre.
Ashe’s well-known style is front and center in this third title of Arrows in the Hand. It’s gritty, dark, profoundly intense and intimate in its character development, and wonderfully multi-layered in its murder mystery plot. Hazard and Somers are still married and still employed—private detective and chief of police, respectively. That’s the good news. The bad news is basically everything else: their foster son Colt is living his teenage years 110%, which puts stress on not only their entire family unit, but on the relationship between Hazard and Somers in particular. Not in such a way that they’re at each other’s throats—it’s a much more real, quiet, and terrifying worry that Somers struggles with for most of the book—that their romance is dying. Add to this, Somers’ job is making him miserable, he misses being a detective, and a case Hazard is working that his husband suspects is related to CP is now somehow a part of a murder the police are investigating, Somers is this close to giving up.
Every arc in this series always has that one title that’s a turning point for Somers, whose growth I find particularly interesting, as he struggles much more with the nuances of fitting into society than Hazard tends to. Add to that the conflicting relationship he has with one of his kids, the ever-constant struggle of overcoming an addiction, and there’s just so much realism and relatability in his highs and lows. And luckily for us, this book ends on a high—because while life has been in an upheaval for a time, neither man has forgotten they’re in it together, and that reminder was incredibly touching. Ashe puts his readers through hell, but when he’s sweet, I always forgive him for the heartbreak. Lol!
I cannot wait to read the final two books in this arc and see how Ashe wraps up the lives (for now?) of some incredible LGBT mystery characters that, in my opinion, have earned a solid place in the history of this genre.
April 5, 2022
Another fascinating crime with two of my favorite men!
STUNNING NARRATION by Tristan James!
I devoured this audiobook!
The mystery was a very tricky one with lots of puzzle pieces that didn’t come together until the end. The relationship focused mostly on Colt, but….Somers is struggling at work and at home while Hazard tries to keep his temper in check.
We finish the book with a bittersweet moment.
**Thanks to the author for proving a copy of the audiobook.**
STUNNING NARRATION by Tristan James!
I devoured this audiobook!
The mystery was a very tricky one with lots of puzzle pieces that didn’t come together until the end. The relationship focused mostly on Colt, but….Somers is struggling at work and at home while Hazard tries to keep his temper in check.
We finish the book with a bittersweet moment.
**Thanks to the author for proving a copy of the audiobook.**
November 12, 2022
When the ending is so beautiful that you can't remember anything else about the book.❤️❤️❤️
October 16, 2022
I get all the meh reviews and I would have to give this one 3.5 stars. For me I still enjoy GA’s writing, he has a way of making me feel so many different emotions, I am always invested in the suspense of the mystery. But reading this one just felt so hard from the start. Let’s begin with Colt, for me he is the crux of the situation, he came out of nowhere and imposed himself here. Where would he be otherwise, he was running away before and so scared and unhappy BUT in this new caring happy place he acts like a spoiled brat. He clearly has no issue being the catalyst to many arguments, the cause of work for his family and he shows no appreciation. He is just too selfish and self absorbed. Next we have the Hazard of this book… he is a FAVORITE character of mine and I am always rooting for him. But in this book who was this Hazard? He was so selfish 70% of the book he was just an overbearing asshole & for no reason. He clearly watched Somers going through a difficult time and he just pushed on. I don’t remember him that way in the other series. I also didn’t like how unyielding he would be, I remember him being much more cooperative when it came to his John. I still don’t understand what’s Dulac’s deal, or the Nico waterworks show
I am hoping to see a turn around because I only have 2 books left and I am going to have withdrawals 😱
I am hoping to see a turn around because I only have 2 books left and I am going to have withdrawals 😱
February 2, 2022
God, this book is amazing! Of course it is, but it's also painful to read.
This time, Hazard's case end being mixed with the maybe accident, maybe murder than John is investigating. But as the investigation advances things get more and more complicated. And suddenly, is not just another case because Colt right is in the middle of it.
But that's not all. John is not having a good time, to say the less: he's getting a hard time at the station with a homophobic official but also with Palomo and Dulac, who don't seem the be able to make their partnership work. If that wasn't enough, Dulac is acting in an irresponsible way at work, Yarmark has chosen him as his mentor and gives him homework. And, of course, his father has requests. Very shady ones, to help the only woman on the city council to get out of a citation.
And he's failing at planning Valentine's Day date. And then, when he gets home he feels just... so overwhelmed. By everything.
John is unravelling and he seems incapable of stoping it or asking for help.
And Hazard is not helping, he is having his own issues about parenting. He tries, but... he can't help to look at Colt's problems through the lens of his own adolescence; he gets scared and then, he lashes out. And Colt does the same.
So things are... hard. For everybody. There are moments in which I want to grab them and shout at them because, argh! But I also want to hug them and protect them from the world *sighs*
And I was SO angry with Dulac in this book. He is NOT my favourite, that's for sure, but here? Here he was this... absolute irresponsible asshole! He really needs to grow up. He keeps putting John in difficult situations, flaunting their friendship at the station and abusing it. He, I didn't want to hug. Punch him in the face, more likely.
And then, there are those moments. Moments in which you can see the love between Hazard and John, between Cody and Hazard, and Cody and John. Cora and Evie, Hazard's mom... all the people who make their little family, all there for them, ready to offer whatever they need.
And the mystery was terribly complex, full of false starts and red herrings, and yet, when the solution comes... it's perfectly logical. I loved it, it was so, so good!
Do you need me to say that this is a recommended read? Because it is, a most recommended one. And if you haven't read yet any book in this series, I envy you. I wish I could read Pretty Pretty Boys for the first time again and get to know Hazard and Somers all over again :D
This time, Hazard's case end being mixed with the maybe accident, maybe murder than John is investigating. But as the investigation advances things get more and more complicated. And suddenly, is not just another case because Colt right is in the middle of it.
But that's not all. John is not having a good time, to say the less: he's getting a hard time at the station with a homophobic official but also with Palomo and Dulac, who don't seem the be able to make their partnership work. If that wasn't enough, Dulac is acting in an irresponsible way at work, Yarmark has chosen him as his mentor and gives him homework. And, of course, his father has requests. Very shady ones, to help the only woman on the city council to get out of a citation.
“I’m not talking about a speeding ticket. I’m talking about an encounter, John-Henry. One of your officers interrupted her in the middle of an…indiscretion.”
Somers had to blink his way through that one. “She’s not married, Father.”
“With a gentleman who is compensated for his companionship.”
And he's failing at planning Valentine's Day date. And then, when he gets home he feels just... so overwhelmed. By everything.
There was laundry to do. Dinner to make. Lunches to pack for tomorrow. He’d need to spend time with Evie. He’d need to put in time with Colt, trying to figure out what had gone wrong and how they could make it right. And then Hazard would want to talk. About the kids, of course. And about the case. And then sleep; if they were still up after ten, it would be a miracle.
John is unravelling and he seems incapable of stoping it or asking for help.
And Hazard is not helping, he is having his own issues about parenting. He tries, but... he can't help to look at Colt's problems through the lens of his own adolescence; he gets scared and then, he lashes out. And Colt does the same.
So things are... hard. For everybody. There are moments in which I want to grab them and shout at them because, argh! But I also want to hug them and protect them from the world *sighs*
And I was SO angry with Dulac in this book. He is NOT my favourite, that's for sure, but here? Here he was this... absolute irresponsible asshole! He really needs to grow up. He keeps putting John in difficult situations, flaunting their friendship at the station and abusing it. He, I didn't want to hug. Punch him in the face, more likely.
And then, there are those moments. Moments in which you can see the love between Hazard and John, between Cody and Hazard, and Cody and John. Cora and Evie, Hazard's mom... all the people who make their little family, all there for them, ready to offer whatever they need.
And the mystery was terribly complex, full of false starts and red herrings, and yet, when the solution comes... it's perfectly logical. I loved it, it was so, so good!
Do you need me to say that this is a recommended read? Because it is, a most recommended one. And if you haven't read yet any book in this series, I envy you. I wish I could read Pretty Pretty Boys for the first time again and get to know Hazard and Somers all over again :D
February 12, 2022
Gregory Ashe does love to put his characters – and his readers – through the emotional wringer in his books, and while Custody Battles, the previous instalment in the
Hazard and Somerset: Arrows in the Hand
series, really twisted the knife, this latest episode in the messy – and often dangerous – lives of our favourite crime-fighting husbands, is a close second when it comes to the “ouch” factor. In Domestic Animals, Hazard and Somers are struggling – both individually and as a couple. and professionally and personally. Hazard’s PI business is doing quite well, but Somers is finding it hard to make the leap from being a friend and colleague, from being one of the guys to being the boss, and suddenly becoming parents to an at-risk teen has rocked the boat of their personal lives so that neither of them is really able to give as much attention to their relationship as they should – something I think ANY parent can identify with; kids are wonderful but they can be exhausting and demanding as hell, too.
The mystery plot kicks off when someone arrives at Hazard’s office wanting to employ him to find a teenager he says stole from him. Hazard is immediately suspicious (when isn’t he?!); it’s pretty clear to him that he’s being fed a load of bull and his suspicions are confirmed by the man’s obvious reluctance to involve the authorities. He’s sure there’s something iffy going on and determines to get to the bottom of it, so he takes the case, prepared to bide his time and do a little more digging on the side.
Meanwhile, Somers becomes involved in the investigation into the suspicious death of a woman found at the bottom of the stairs in her house. Dulac and his new partner Palomo caught the case, but something doesn’t feel right to Dulac, and he calls Somers for help. Even though Somers knows that, as Chief of Police, it’s not his job to take cases any more, he decides to swing by and see what the problem is. It quickly becomes clear that Dulac had good reason for his suspicion; something doesn’t add up, but Somers isn’t sure what – and, missing the sort of hands-on investigating he used to do (part of the job he liked and was actually good at) - and as a method of avoidance, he decides to stick with the case.
As always, the mystery is satisfyingly complex with lots of twists and turns, red herrings and suspects, as the author skilfully pulls together the two seemingly disparate plot threads after Somers connects the teen Hazard’s client is looking for with the murdered woman – and they suddenly find Colt right in the middle of it all. I can almost never see exactly how he’s going to connect cases that start out seeming completely independent of each other or work out quite how things are going to go – reason #5648739 why I love Gregory Ashe books!
Hazard and Somerset go through a lot – they always do – but somehow Mr. Ashe always finds a different angle each time so that we never feel as though we’re re-treading a path we’ve been down before. He sets out certain themes and threads that will run throughout the series and then proceeds to follow and develop them in each book, but it never gets repetitive. In Domestic Animals, he takes a look at burnout and how it can so easily creep up on someone like Somers, a man who, on the surface, has everything – good-looks, charm, a good (though stressful) job, and a husband and family he loves. But he’s in a bad place right now, the pressures of his job - of having his father demanding special treatment for his mates, of some of his officers being openly disrespectful (and homophobic), the consequences of still not taking that final step from friend to boss, trying to get Hazard to step back from police investigations - and the pressures at home of trying to keep World War Three from breaking out between Hazard and Colt … it’s all weighing him down and has become more than he can handle pretty much without his realising it. The quiet, aching misery Somers tries to bury while trying to pretend everything's fine and just going through the motions is utterly excruciating to watch - it's frighteningly easy to relate to and so well written - and I was on the edge of my seat as he comes dangerously close to resorting to his old coping mechanisms. And because Hazard’s in a constant lather over Colt – and almost always on the verge of meltdown – he fails to see just how much his husband is struggling. Or rather, he sees some of it, but doesn’t realise the full extent of it, and doesn’t usually react in a helpful way. Mr. Ashe’s insight into what makes these two guys tick is, as ever, unfailing, and watching Somers slowly unravelling and unable to ask for help packed quite the emotional punch and was really hard to read.
Hazard is dealing with a lot, too; his relationship with Colt is a veritable rollercoaster at times, and he’s struggling not to view what’s going on with his foster son through the lens of his own adolescence and father/son relationship (or lack thereof), and they’re constantly at each others’ throats. The storyline about the breakdown of Colt’s friendship with his bestie, Ash, adds an interesting extra layer and deepens Colt’s characterisation as he’s dealing with the heartache of what might be first love and a first break-up.
Nico and Dulac are both having personal problems, although Nico seems a bit more on top of his than Dulac, who is spiralling downwards after a big fight with his boyfriend. I thought Somers should have benched him sooner than he did, though – but then, that scenario is a perfect example of why it’s not possible to be both friend and boss.
But amid all the fights and all the stress and angst, there’s still room for Mr. Ashe’s trademark humour and quickfire banter; Hazard’s instructions to Theo and Auggie about coming round to help fit some carpet and description of them as “probationary friends” made me giggle (and makes me eager for the rest of the First Quarto books) – for some truly tender moments between Hazard and Somers, where the depth and strength of their love for each other leaps off the page, and for moments of quiet understanding and sympathy between Hazard and Colt, Somers and Colt and the three of them together. The pay-offs for all the angst and anger and rows can be a long time coming, but they’re so very worth the wait,
Domestic Animals is a tough but enthralling read in which Gregory Ashe proves yet again that he's writing some of the most compelling, multi-layered characters and stories in the genre. Hazard and Somerset are their own worst enemies at times, but after fourteen books (and several shorts), I'm as captivated by them as ever and don't think I'll ever get tired of reading about them. Highly recommended.
The mystery plot kicks off when someone arrives at Hazard’s office wanting to employ him to find a teenager he says stole from him. Hazard is immediately suspicious (when isn’t he?!); it’s pretty clear to him that he’s being fed a load of bull and his suspicions are confirmed by the man’s obvious reluctance to involve the authorities. He’s sure there’s something iffy going on and determines to get to the bottom of it, so he takes the case, prepared to bide his time and do a little more digging on the side.
Meanwhile, Somers becomes involved in the investigation into the suspicious death of a woman found at the bottom of the stairs in her house. Dulac and his new partner Palomo caught the case, but something doesn’t feel right to Dulac, and he calls Somers for help. Even though Somers knows that, as Chief of Police, it’s not his job to take cases any more, he decides to swing by and see what the problem is. It quickly becomes clear that Dulac had good reason for his suspicion; something doesn’t add up, but Somers isn’t sure what – and, missing the sort of hands-on investigating he used to do (part of the job he liked and was actually good at) - and as a method of avoidance, he decides to stick with the case.
As always, the mystery is satisfyingly complex with lots of twists and turns, red herrings and suspects, as the author skilfully pulls together the two seemingly disparate plot threads after Somers connects the teen Hazard’s client is looking for with the murdered woman – and they suddenly find Colt right in the middle of it all. I can almost never see exactly how he’s going to connect cases that start out seeming completely independent of each other or work out quite how things are going to go – reason #5648739 why I love Gregory Ashe books!
Hazard and Somerset go through a lot – they always do – but somehow Mr. Ashe always finds a different angle each time so that we never feel as though we’re re-treading a path we’ve been down before. He sets out certain themes and threads that will run throughout the series and then proceeds to follow and develop them in each book, but it never gets repetitive. In Domestic Animals, he takes a look at burnout and how it can so easily creep up on someone like Somers, a man who, on the surface, has everything – good-looks, charm, a good (though stressful) job, and a husband and family he loves. But he’s in a bad place right now, the pressures of his job - of having his father demanding special treatment for his mates, of some of his officers being openly disrespectful (and homophobic), the consequences of still not taking that final step from friend to boss, trying to get Hazard to step back from police investigations - and the pressures at home of trying to keep World War Three from breaking out between Hazard and Colt … it’s all weighing him down and has become more than he can handle pretty much without his realising it. The quiet, aching misery Somers tries to bury while trying to pretend everything's fine and just going through the motions is utterly excruciating to watch - it's frighteningly easy to relate to and so well written - and I was on the edge of my seat as he comes dangerously close to resorting to his old coping mechanisms. And because Hazard’s in a constant lather over Colt – and almost always on the verge of meltdown – he fails to see just how much his husband is struggling. Or rather, he sees some of it, but doesn’t realise the full extent of it, and doesn’t usually react in a helpful way. Mr. Ashe’s insight into what makes these two guys tick is, as ever, unfailing, and watching Somers slowly unravelling and unable to ask for help packed quite the emotional punch and was really hard to read.
Hazard is dealing with a lot, too; his relationship with Colt is a veritable rollercoaster at times, and he’s struggling not to view what’s going on with his foster son through the lens of his own adolescence and father/son relationship (or lack thereof), and they’re constantly at each others’ throats. The storyline about the breakdown of Colt’s friendship with his bestie, Ash, adds an interesting extra layer and deepens Colt’s characterisation as he’s dealing with the heartache of what might be first love and a first break-up.
Nico and Dulac are both having personal problems, although Nico seems a bit more on top of his than Dulac, who is spiralling downwards after a big fight with his boyfriend. I thought Somers should have benched him sooner than he did, though – but then, that scenario is a perfect example of why it’s not possible to be both friend and boss.
But amid all the fights and all the stress and angst, there’s still room for Mr. Ashe’s trademark humour and quickfire banter; Hazard’s instructions to Theo and Auggie about coming round to help fit some carpet and description of them as “probationary friends” made me giggle (and makes me eager for the rest of the First Quarto books) – for some truly tender moments between Hazard and Somers, where the depth and strength of their love for each other leaps off the page, and for moments of quiet understanding and sympathy between Hazard and Colt, Somers and Colt and the three of them together. The pay-offs for all the angst and anger and rows can be a long time coming, but they’re so very worth the wait,
Domestic Animals is a tough but enthralling read in which Gregory Ashe proves yet again that he's writing some of the most compelling, multi-layered characters and stories in the genre. Hazard and Somerset are their own worst enemies at times, but after fourteen books (and several shorts), I'm as captivated by them as ever and don't think I'll ever get tired of reading about them. Highly recommended.
January 28, 2023
Good story. Enjoyable mystery. Hazard is starting to become much too angry rather than gruff and lovable. Colt is still very irritating. I hope there is better character development in the next installment.
March 6, 2022
Few authors managed to pull off a long series that just gets better with each one - Ashe is one of those rarities. Whilst he puts H&S through the mill, the character growth never falters.
Deep breaths Bev .... Somers, I f'ing LOVE you! How's that for a turnabout!
ALL the stars for all the feels, all the character growth and all the love between H&S.
Deep breaths Bev .... Somers, I f'ing LOVE you! How's that for a turnabout!
ALL the stars for all the feels, all the character growth and all the love between H&S.
July 18, 2022
If you've gotten this far along in this series it's safe to assume that you know this isn't romance. Not solely. Not in the genre sense and yet ...
Continuing with the theme of this final arc in the H&S series we get the mind numbing banalities of family life, the sand in your shoe, the sheet that's just a bit short, the balancing of the grocery budget, the thousand little cuts of day to day life. Parallel to that is the warm blanket, the hot cup of cocoa, the feathered nest to land on.
This outing is Somers centric. He's dealing with Emery (which as much as I love him is a full time job), becoming a dad to a teenage boy (don't get me started), his mom & dad (the less said the better), and being the boss to friends & former colleagues. He's not coping well, who would?
I won't lie. The first two thirds had me thinking that maybe the spell was broken. That perhaps Greg had gone too far with the 'kitchen sink' drama. Hazard and Somers go at each other in ways that only people who know each other intimately can, those who know each other's soft white underbellies. It's brutal. Somers is having difficulty recalibrating his role at work and as an added wrinkle Colt has inexplicably decided that he hates Somers, who thrives on being the guy everyone likes. It's a lot. The salt on the wounds is a case that hits Hazard & Somers in their back yard, literally and figuratively. But I'm relieved to say that it was all worth it. My faith in Greg as an author continues unabated. The cumulative narratives led to Somers going through a dark night of the soul but he also gets loving arms to pull him through. True love ❤️👬🏼
I'll add but two things:
*I appreciated that the author doesn't sweep the characters problems under the rug , erased by 'true love', magic D, or a fairytale HEA.
* I haven't been around teenagers in a good long while (not consistently) and it doesn't seem like something I'll be adding to my to-do list anytime soon.
Continuing with the theme of this final arc in the H&S series we get the mind numbing banalities of family life, the sand in your shoe, the sheet that's just a bit short, the balancing of the grocery budget, the thousand little cuts of day to day life. Parallel to that is the warm blanket, the hot cup of cocoa, the feathered nest to land on.
This outing is Somers centric. He's dealing with Emery (which as much as I love him is a full time job), becoming a dad to a teenage boy (don't get me started), his mom & dad (the less said the better), and being the boss to friends & former colleagues. He's not coping well, who would?
I won't lie. The first two thirds had me thinking that maybe the spell was broken. That perhaps Greg had gone too far with the 'kitchen sink' drama. Hazard and Somers go at each other in ways that only people who know each other intimately can, those who know each other's soft white underbellies. It's brutal. Somers is having difficulty recalibrating his role at work and as an added wrinkle Colt has inexplicably decided that he hates Somers, who thrives on being the guy everyone likes. It's a lot. The salt on the wounds is a case that hits Hazard & Somers in their back yard, literally and figuratively. But I'm relieved to say that it was all worth it. My faith in Greg as an author continues unabated. The cumulative narratives led to Somers going through a dark night of the soul but he also gets loving arms to pull him through. True love ❤️👬🏼
I'll add but two things:
*I appreciated that the author doesn't sweep the characters problems under the rug , erased by 'true love', magic D, or a fairytale HEA.
* I haven't been around teenagers in a good long while (not consistently) and it doesn't seem like something I'll be adding to my to-do list anytime soon.
July 23, 2022
Welp, Hazard continues this series' trend to be regressive in his behaviour. I don't know if the rationale is that being forced to deal with his mini doppleganger brings all the worst characteristics and reactions out of him -- and no, Colt doesn't help this, he is exhausting -- but the little moments of peace and truce are too few and far between. And, as I speculated in the last review, this pattern is likely to colour the whole series, I guess, as a thematic agony.
Somers, once more, is the more sympathetic character. Not only with his reactions but, once again, the load he is carrying. But we hit that breaking point and I absolutely did love how Hazard supported him through that and how he didn't begrudge or resent it. It's these constant glimmers that keep me picking up the next book; which I'm pretty sure is how I got here all the way back from the first series. Ashe has a formula, that's for sure; or my number. Nothing else explains this need for more.
So many characters in this series/world are what push these characters into frustrating circumstances or caricatures of themselves and it is a lot. Too much sometimes. We could definitely do with a culling of a few key players. Or at least see some damn growth and have them toned down. It's unlikely to happen but one can hope.
I did, however, find myself really drawn into the mystery of the week (though why Colt was once again caught up in it I'll never know.. less of this, please). That helped to make this one far more bearable than book two (and complaints about Cole aside he was less an asshole in this one, though still had his moments.. too many). However, having seen the synopsis for book four, I worry it'll be a version of book two all over again. Guess there's only one way to find out.
Somers, once more, is the more sympathetic character. Not only with his reactions but, once again, the load he is carrying. But we hit that breaking point and I absolutely did love how Hazard supported him through that and how he didn't begrudge or resent it. It's these constant glimmers that keep me picking up the next book; which I'm pretty sure is how I got here all the way back from the first series. Ashe has a formula, that's for sure; or my number. Nothing else explains this need for more.
So many characters in this series/world are what push these characters into frustrating circumstances or caricatures of themselves and it is a lot. Too much sometimes. We could definitely do with a culling of a few key players. Or at least see some damn growth and have them toned down. It's unlikely to happen but one can hope.
I did, however, find myself really drawn into the mystery of the week (though why Colt was once again caught up in it I'll never know.. less of this, please). That helped to make this one far more bearable than book two (and complaints about Cole aside he was less an asshole in this one, though still had his moments.. too many). However, having seen the synopsis for book four, I worry it'll be a version of book two all over again. Guess there's only one way to find out.
February 19, 2023
My boys ❤️❤️
4,5/5
Comme à chaque fois, je ne peux m'empêcher de me ruer sur le tome suivant, je n'arrive pas à sortir de cette série une fois que j'y suis rentrée.
Nouveau tome, nouvelles intrigues pour mes deux chouchous... Deux enquêtes qui vont se retrouver, bien évidemment, entremêlées.
Ce tome est assez dense. L'intrigue générale est comme d'habitude très bien menée et assez prenante, complexe aussi. Intrigue qui soulève à chaque fois certains sujets, et où, comme avec le tome précédent, on retrouve un parallélisme avec Colt, notamment.
Dense aussi car Gregory Ashe fait vivre encore une fois de sacrées épreuves à vos deux personnages. Dans "Domestic animals", John et Ree apprennent encore et toujours dans leurs rôles de parent. On ne peut pas dire que Colt leur facilite la tâche. Mais Colt est un ado, Colt découvre la vie, de nouvelles fréquentations. J'aime la façon dont l'auteur se renouvelle d'ailleurs, même si on a l'impression que John et Emery ont fait un pas en arrière ici, mais non, car c'est là qu'on voit qu'un rien peut nous faire déraper, qu'un rien pour nous déstabiliser, où on se retrouve avec d'anciens démons. Emery en fait les frais ici... Mais John aussi... John, lui, qui en plus, doit se faire à son nouveau post, à se faire respecter par ses anciens collègues et gérer en plus son père, le maire, qui a tendance à profiter un peu trop de la situation.
Mon amour pour ces deux personnages est indescriptible en fait... Pour moi, c'est comme s'ils existaient, je les vois tomber, se relever, se blesser, s'épauler, vivre tout simplement car la vie n'est pas faite que de bisounours. Certes, j'ai été un peu agacée et malmenée ici, mais dans le fond, même après plusieurs tomes, quelques années à peine, les personnages ont évolué, ont avancé, mais le moindre grain de sable peut faire chambouler le tout. Attention, rien de dramatique ne se déroule dans ce tome, mais voilà... Emery et John sont des personnages authentiques, et surtout Emery qui ne mâchent pas ses mots. Malgré tout et son caractère bien trempé, je trouve qu'il gère pas mal les situations, notamment celles dans lesquelles les place Colt. Un Colt qui a des paroles très blessantes, mais pour le coup, on se rend compte de l'impact de ses fréquentations.
Le lien fort qui unit Emery et John est toujours présent, c'est indéniable, mais je me le suis pris encore une fois en pleine face ici.
Dulac et Nico prennent une plus grande place dans mon cœur, étonnamment... Emery me fait mourir de rire avec Nico et puis Dulac... qui peut cette fois compter sur Somers, chef ou pas.
Plus j'avance dans cette série, et plus j'aimerais la recommencer depuis le début, relire "Pretty Pretty Boys", faire la connaissance de Emery et John pour la première fois. J'y pense souvent mais ce besoin s'est plus fait ressentir à la lecture de "Domestic Animals", je ne sais pas pourquoi...
4,5/5
Comme à chaque fois, je ne peux m'empêcher de me ruer sur le tome suivant, je n'arrive pas à sortir de cette série une fois que j'y suis rentrée.
Nouveau tome, nouvelles intrigues pour mes deux chouchous... Deux enquêtes qui vont se retrouver, bien évidemment, entremêlées.
Ce tome est assez dense. L'intrigue générale est comme d'habitude très bien menée et assez prenante, complexe aussi. Intrigue qui soulève à chaque fois certains sujets, et où, comme avec le tome précédent, on retrouve un parallélisme avec Colt, notamment.
Dense aussi car Gregory Ashe fait vivre encore une fois de sacrées épreuves à vos deux personnages. Dans "Domestic animals", John et Ree apprennent encore et toujours dans leurs rôles de parent. On ne peut pas dire que Colt leur facilite la tâche. Mais Colt est un ado, Colt découvre la vie, de nouvelles fréquentations. J'aime la façon dont l'auteur se renouvelle d'ailleurs, même si on a l'impression que John et Emery ont fait un pas en arrière ici, mais non, car c'est là qu'on voit qu'un rien peut nous faire déraper, qu'un rien pour nous déstabiliser, où on se retrouve avec d'anciens démons. Emery en fait les frais ici... Mais John aussi... John, lui, qui en plus, doit se faire à son nouveau post, à se faire respecter par ses anciens collègues et gérer en plus son père, le maire, qui a tendance à profiter un peu trop de la situation.
Mon amour pour ces deux personnages est indescriptible en fait... Pour moi, c'est comme s'ils existaient, je les vois tomber, se relever, se blesser, s'épauler, vivre tout simplement car la vie n'est pas faite que de bisounours. Certes, j'ai été un peu agacée et malmenée ici, mais dans le fond, même après plusieurs tomes, quelques années à peine, les personnages ont évolué, ont avancé, mais le moindre grain de sable peut faire chambouler le tout. Attention, rien de dramatique ne se déroule dans ce tome, mais voilà... Emery et John sont des personnages authentiques, et surtout Emery qui ne mâchent pas ses mots. Malgré tout et son caractère bien trempé, je trouve qu'il gère pas mal les situations, notamment celles dans lesquelles les place Colt. Un Colt qui a des paroles très blessantes, mais pour le coup, on se rend compte de l'impact de ses fréquentations.
Le lien fort qui unit Emery et John est toujours présent, c'est indéniable, mais je me le suis pris encore une fois en pleine face ici.
Dulac et Nico prennent une plus grande place dans mon cœur, étonnamment... Emery me fait mourir de rire avec Nico et puis Dulac... qui peut cette fois compter sur Somers, chef ou pas.
Plus j'avance dans cette série, et plus j'aimerais la recommencer depuis le début, relire "Pretty Pretty Boys", faire la connaissance de Emery et John pour la première fois. J'y pense souvent mais ce besoin s'est plus fait ressentir à la lecture de "Domestic Animals", je ne sais pas pourquoi...
January 26, 2025
4.5⭐️ The great thing about this series is that each book is so fast-paced, with so many interwoven elements of the mystery plot, romance, and character developments that even if one thing doesn’t really work for you, the rest of it will carry the weight.
I’ve had a difficult relationship with John-Henry Somerset throughout this journey. I’ve loved him at times and hated him at times.
Whereas Hazard has a very consistent personality, JH is one of those people that masks his pain and struggles behind a wall of smiles and jokes. His kindness and patience will seem impenetrable… until they’re not. Until the other shoe drops. And JH really unraveled these past two books and we got to see behind his persona.
This all just speaks to Gregory Ashe’s brilliance in his development of these characters. They feel like real people, flaws and all.
I’ve had a difficult relationship with John-Henry Somerset throughout this journey. I’ve loved him at times and hated him at times.
Whereas Hazard has a very consistent personality, JH is one of those people that masks his pain and struggles behind a wall of smiles and jokes. His kindness and patience will seem impenetrable… until they’re not. Until the other shoe drops. And JH really unraveled these past two books and we got to see behind his persona.
This all just speaks to Gregory Ashe’s brilliance in his development of these characters. They feel like real people, flaws and all.
February 14, 2022
Do you wonder. Do you wonder. Do you wonder. He pulled down the visor, checked himself in the weak, yellow glow. Do you wonder why sometimes I want to disappear?
Somers burnout couldn't have been more painful if someone had doused me with a bucket of scalding tea. It was like there wasn't much of Somers left to fill up the pages. Heartbreaking, yet beautifully written.
The 3.5/5 rating is because am resentful of Colt, Dulac and now Yarmark eating into H&S's pagetime. 'Father' Hazard and 'Chief' Somers are all well and good, but I was starved for moments where it was just them.
Might just go back and re-read the previous books cause I miss the old H&S.
Somers burnout couldn't have been more painful if someone had doused me with a bucket of scalding tea. It was like there wasn't much of Somers left to fill up the pages. Heartbreaking, yet beautifully written.
The 3.5/5 rating is because am resentful of Colt, Dulac and now Yarmark eating into H&S's pagetime. 'Father' Hazard and 'Chief' Somers are all well and good, but I was starved for moments where it was just them.
Might just go back and re-read the previous books cause I miss the old H&S.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2024
5 stars as always.
February 19, 2022
Amazing! The course of true love never runs smooth in this series, and we have the ups and downs associated with a perfectly normal relationship...cos I don't care what anyone says, no-one has a perfect, argument-free partnership...it's just not possible.
Hazard must be so frustrating for John-Henry to deal with, he thinks he has everything figured out but he certainly isn't blameless [I still 💜 him to bits though]. John-Henry is under quite a bit of pressure as far as several work situations are concerned 🤯, but still has to try and get Ree to be fair and even handed towards Colt...the problem is that Ree sees too much of himself in Colt I think, and it's therefore very difficult for him to be completely objective BUT things will come around I'm sure. The humour in this story was wonderful, Nico is definitely moving up in my estimation [but I still think he has some sort of PTSD] and Dulac? Well, the less said the better 😕.
The mystery in this one was really good...well, you had some ideas as far as what you thought was going on 🤔🤔 but then Gregory Ashe switches things up, and all of a sudden things start to make sense. The Valentine 💝💝💝 dance and Chapter 26 were just...sighs, swoony 😍😍😍.
Unfortunately I think Colt's sperm donor turns up again in the next story Father Complex, and I absolutely detest him 🤬🤬🤬...
Hazard must be so frustrating for John-Henry to deal with, he thinks he has everything figured out but he certainly isn't blameless [I still 💜 him to bits though]. John-Henry is under quite a bit of pressure as far as several work situations are concerned 🤯, but still has to try and get Ree to be fair and even handed towards Colt...the problem is that Ree sees too much of himself in Colt I think, and it's therefore very difficult for him to be completely objective BUT things will come around I'm sure. The humour in this story was wonderful, Nico is definitely moving up in my estimation [but I still think he has some sort of PTSD] and Dulac? Well, the less said the better 😕.
The mystery in this one was really good...well, you had some ideas as far as what you thought was going on 🤔🤔 but then Gregory Ashe switches things up, and all of a sudden things start to make sense. The Valentine 💝💝💝 dance and Chapter 26 were just...sighs, swoony 😍😍😍.
Unfortunately I think Colt's sperm donor turns up again in the next story Father Complex, and I absolutely detest him 🤬🤬🤬...
February 13, 2022
These books are a bit odd. Their oddness lies in the depiction of the characters and the characters themselves.
It feels like a parallel universe where peoples' boundaries, professional standards, interpersonal interactions, what is acceptable and unacceptable are askew from this universe.
My reads of these books aren't hate-reads, but more bemused/contempt/what are these idiots up to next reads. And yet, I persist, and quite enjoy them.
At least the tally violent one with the glowing amber eyes wasn't as man-painy bashy bashy bash bash the ground/the wall/the anything because of the FEELS which, I suppose, is character progression.
The other one still has little concept of parenting/authority/management. Sigh.
There is some character progress though. It looks like Ashe has some better editors/beta readers he's working with.
Oh yeah - there's a mystery too. It's pretty good.
It feels like a parallel universe where peoples' boundaries, professional standards, interpersonal interactions, what is acceptable and unacceptable are askew from this universe.
My reads of these books aren't hate-reads, but more bemused/contempt/what are these idiots up to next reads. And yet, I persist, and quite enjoy them.
At least the tally violent one with the glowing amber eyes wasn't as man-painy bashy bashy bash bash the ground/the wall/the anything because of the FEELS which, I suppose, is character progression.
The other one still has little concept of parenting/authority/management. Sigh.
There is some character progress though. It looks like Ashe has some better editors/beta readers he's working with.
Oh yeah - there's a mystery too. It's pretty good.
July 20, 2022
Love in its many forms
When you are reading a book about an existing couple, sometimes your heart hurts when you see a train wreck coming.
Ever since the honeymoon was over, they have been fraying slowly. Somerset and Hazard work at their relationship because sometimes love just isn’t enough. AND I know these books are NOT romantic per say but there are certain things you just take for granted with a couple like Somerset and Hazard.
The mystery/murder in this one were very twisty. Colt played a major roll again. I’m ngl I’m not a big fan of Colt. He’s one of the major causes of friction between H&S. Ugh. The fighting, the bickering gets to be a bit much. Colt is a mess AND he seems very ungrateful which is SUPER annoying since Somerset almost died because of him in the last book. I digress…
This one ends on a hopeful note which is better than the last book. Sometimes you can’t just look out for number one. An important lesson and parable of this book.
When you are reading a book about an existing couple, sometimes your heart hurts when you see a train wreck coming.
Ever since the honeymoon was over, they have been fraying slowly. Somerset and Hazard work at their relationship because sometimes love just isn’t enough. AND I know these books are NOT romantic per say but there are certain things you just take for granted with a couple like Somerset and Hazard.
The mystery/murder in this one were very twisty. Colt played a major roll again. I’m ngl I’m not a big fan of Colt. He’s one of the major causes of friction between H&S. Ugh. The fighting, the bickering gets to be a bit much. Colt is a mess AND he seems very ungrateful which is SUPER annoying since Somerset almost died because of him in the last book. I digress…
This one ends on a hopeful note which is better than the last book. Sometimes you can’t just look out for number one. An important lesson and parable of this book.
April 2, 2025
Why is this series so good?
Why do I never want this to end?
Because Hazard and Somers are so real! They are flawed and imperfect and clueless and sometimes cruel to each other. But that deep abiding love is always there.
More than 10 books in, the 🔥 facto is lower but that ever-present yearning and need still tugs at my heart and makes me FEEL all the things.
The mystery is good as always with that inevitable intertwining of two cases and just like irl, some ends are not tied neatly in a bow. Colt is Colt; we alternately want to coddle him away or rip out our hair in frustration.
The narration is fine though Tristan does lose the train of accents here a little more than in recent books. Nonetheless, I couldn't hear these two in any other voice.
Why do I never want this to end?
Because Hazard and Somers are so real! They are flawed and imperfect and clueless and sometimes cruel to each other. But that deep abiding love is always there.
More than 10 books in, the 🔥 facto is lower but that ever-present yearning and need still tugs at my heart and makes me FEEL all the things.
The mystery is good as always with that inevitable intertwining of two cases and just like irl, some ends are not tied neatly in a bow. Colt is Colt; we alternately want to coddle him away or rip out our hair in frustration.
The narration is fine though Tristan does lose the train of accents here a little more than in recent books. Nonetheless, I couldn't hear these two in any other voice.
March 16, 2024
Top-notch mystery,
but I am exhausted by
Cole. Bring me romance!
but I am exhausted by
Cole. Bring me romance!
September 3, 2022
4.5 Readers complained about Hazards moods and anger issues but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated, maybe I'm just getting use to his crazy bursts 😤, Somers just needs to buy a ball gag for him! LOL
Somers had a hard time adjusting to being chief in this book and not being out there with his detectives, I think there at the end he was trying to trust his officers to do their job so he could have more peace at home and some time to socialize.
Dulak now was a huge pain 😡 in the ass and very annoying!!
Colt was disappointing 😠 as well because he meet some new friends who persuaded him into making some serious stupid decisions and he made some horrible 😩 comments to Hazard and Somers.
Over all I enjoyed the continuation of the series.
Somers had a hard time adjusting to being chief in this book and not being out there with his detectives, I think there at the end he was trying to trust his officers to do their job so he could have more peace at home and some time to socialize.
Dulak now was a huge pain 😡 in the ass and very annoying!!
Colt was disappointing 😠 as well because he meet some new friends who persuaded him into making some serious stupid decisions and he made some horrible 😩 comments to Hazard and Somers.
Over all I enjoyed the continuation of the series.
March 22, 2024
Poor Somers!
Great minivan scene, great final chapter. Finally Somers gets an arc that seems grounded and real, not more rehashed "daddy issues made me do it"/ "I'm gonna make baffling decisions for inexplicable reasons" that we saw most recently in book 2. Huzzah! A good Somers arc!
More Nico, please. Not enough Nico!
Great minivan scene, great final chapter. Finally Somers gets an arc that seems grounded and real, not more rehashed "daddy issues made me do it"/ "I'm gonna make baffling decisions for inexplicable reasons" that we saw most recently in book 2. Huzzah! A good Somers arc!
More Nico, please. Not enough Nico!
April 20, 2022
Story 3.9 Stars
Audio 4 Stars
In the last book (Custody Battles) I got annoyed with Hazard and Somers falling back into the same old patterns that they supposedly had already resolved in their first 5-book-series, so I was going into the story of "Domestic Animals" in with a wary mind and steeling myself. And maybe that was good because the beginning was quite that and painful to read. Both MCs seemed to be close to breaking point from childcare, financial strains, Somers' shitty parents, stressful jobs and just generally life being life. Matters got somewhat better and cheerier in the second half though.
I can't really explain why I love Hazard that much because in real life I don't think I could be around someone like him. He's a pompous arse who always has to be right. Yeah well, but I do love him the most in this story (and all their stories) - mostly for his weird über-analytical way of thinking I guess. And just like Somers I let him get away with too much.
I did like the criminal plot in this installment even though it's starting to seem like there must be a gay virus going around Wahredua, virtually everyone seems to be catching it. Well, I guess actually that would probably be a good thing though it does make everything seem that much more fictional.
Overall I liked this book more than the last, but I would love to see Hazard and Somers get a bit a break from all the day to day-stress and or at least the financial problems. There seems to be too much riding on their shoulders. It makes me feel like they are going to collapse under the burden.
Audio 4 Stars
In the last book (Custody Battles) I got annoyed with Hazard and Somers falling back into the same old patterns that they supposedly had already resolved in their first 5-book-series, so I was going into the story of "Domestic Animals" in with a wary mind and steeling myself. And maybe that was good because the beginning was quite that and painful to read. Both MCs seemed to be close to breaking point from childcare, financial strains, Somers' shitty parents, stressful jobs and just generally life being life. Matters got somewhat better and cheerier in the second half though.
I can't really explain why I love Hazard that much because in real life I don't think I could be around someone like him. He's a pompous arse who always has to be right. Yeah well, but I do love him the most in this story (and all their stories) - mostly for his weird über-analytical way of thinking I guess. And just like Somers I let him get away with too much.
I did like the criminal plot in this installment even though it's starting to seem like there must be a gay virus going around Wahredua, virtually everyone seems to be catching it. Well, I guess actually that would probably be a good thing though it does make everything seem that much more fictional.
Overall I liked this book more than the last, but I would love to see Hazard and Somers get a bit a break from all the day to day-stress and or at least the financial problems. There seems to be too much riding on their shoulders. It makes me feel like they are going to collapse under the burden.
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