Scan barcode
toshi21's review against another edition
5.0
This book. It was amazing. I have been following this series since the beginning and I adore it.
Hazard and Somers are to die for.
Their story is heart wrenching. You thought that Rational Faculty was emotionally fraught?
Well this one has its very highs. (Oh my god, I was thrilled!) and its very lows. I was worried because I even though I know Gregory would never break my heart, he might stomp on it through the course of the book.
The mystery was intriguing and I had hints about the bad guy but I kept dismissing them.
I do wish there was a bit more about the Keeper of Bees. he was mentioned but just enough to make me want more.
Now I have to wait until March? I’m gonna die.
Hazard and Somers are to die for.
Their story is heart wrenching. You thought that Rational Faculty was emotionally fraught?
Well this one has its very highs. (Oh my god, I was thrilled!) and its very lows. I was worried because I even though I know Gregory would never break my heart, he might stomp on it through the course of the book.
The mystery was intriguing and I had hints about the bad guy but I kept dismissing them.
I do wish there was a bit more about the Keeper of Bees. he was mentioned but just enough to make me want more.
Now I have to wait until March? I’m gonna die.
wildowlery's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
claudiereads's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Just leave me here in my puddle of feels. 💘
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Do I need to say that I simply loved it? The case was fantastic, very complex but not unnecessarily convoluted. It begins quite simple: a cop, Walter Hoffmeister asks for Emory's help. He is being harassed, and he's afraid for his life. Quickly, things get way more complicated.
A shooting at Emory and John's place, a death that may or may not be a suicide, suspects with alibies who are keeping lots of secrets, and people who get beat up.
But do you know what's one of the things that I really enjoyed reading this book? Noah and Rebeca. Having Emory and John enjoying dinner at friends' at the beginning of the story, friends who both of them really like, and who like them back is wonderful.
Now, Gray? He, I don't like. At all. Remember how I said he was a Labrador puppy? Well, I changed my mind: he's a mean, vicious, two-faces Dachsuhound. Not really dangerous, but annoying to no end. Power couple? Really? And then (view spoiler) didn't make it better. And it's not only that I don't like him, but it's also that I don't trust him. C'mon! the whole dude routine, his all butter-wouldn't-melt-in-my-mouth attitude doesn't mix with (view spoiler). And no personal stuff at his place? Not even one photography? Nope, I don't buy it!
And, of course, things between Emory and John aren't unicorns and roses. Emory isn't coping well with the aftermaths of Haverford and the Keeper of Bees. He's always on edge, and John's insistence on marriage doesn't help, either. And Gary is a permanent irritation that he can't shake. Neither of them is good at talking about feelings or things they perceive as weaknesses, so they keep snipping at each other and letting the pressure build.
Until, of course, things blew up. They both are hurtful and hurt, but as Emory puts it so beautifully, they are like quarks. 'Two particles that are linked so that no matter how far apart they are, they have the same direction of spin. They could be on opposite sides of the universe and if one flips its direction of spin, the other does too. At the exact same time. (...) Even when we’re apart, we’re still together' So they eventually get it. They talk, and Emory explains his fears, his reasons to avoid getting married, his love. It's a heartbreaking scene, but so beautifully written. It's not mushy, they are still them, still taking the piss, but they are raw and honest and so in love that it hurts.
So, what we have here is the whole thing: a great case, an investigation that, as always, it's tangled with Emory and John's relationship, and hints about the major arc about the Keeper of the Bees.
Another favourite, but, by now, saying this has become a redundancy :P
~º~~º~~º~~º~~º~~º~~º~
EDIT: What I liked the most in this book is the hurt. No, hear me out, I'm not a masochist, I swear it! It's the reality of these characters, the way in which, sometimes, they are stupid and hurtful; the way in which love is not a magic wand that makes everything perfect. They fight, they have rows but, in the end, they talk, they explain, they understand.
And, shees! Having read all the stories, the bits about The Keeper of Bees are even more dreadful *shudders*
A shooting at Emory and John's place, a death that may or may not be a suicide, suspects with alibies who are keeping lots of secrets, and people who get beat up.
But do you know what's one of the things that I really enjoyed reading this book? Noah and Rebeca. Having Emory and John enjoying dinner at friends' at the beginning of the story, friends who both of them really like, and who like them back is wonderful.
Now, Gray? He, I don't like. At all. Remember how I said he was a Labrador puppy? Well, I changed my mind: he's a mean, vicious, two-faces Dachsuhound. Not really dangerous, but annoying to no end. Power couple? Really? And then (view spoiler) didn't make it better. And it's not only that I don't like him, but it's also that I don't trust him. C'mon! the whole dude routine, his all butter-wouldn't-melt-in-my-mouth attitude doesn't mix with (view spoiler). And no personal stuff at his place? Not even one photography? Nope, I don't buy it!
And, of course, things between Emory and John aren't unicorns and roses. Emory isn't coping well with the aftermaths of Haverford and the Keeper of Bees. He's always on edge, and John's insistence on marriage doesn't help, either. And Gary is a permanent irritation that he can't shake. Neither of them is good at talking about feelings or things they perceive as weaknesses, so they keep snipping at each other and letting the pressure build.
Until, of course, things blew up. They both are hurtful and hurt, but as Emory puts it so beautifully, they are like quarks. 'Two particles that are linked so that no matter how far apart they are, they have the same direction of spin. They could be on opposite sides of the universe and if one flips its direction of spin, the other does too. At the exact same time. (...) Even when we’re apart, we’re still together' So they eventually get it. They talk, and Emory explains his fears, his reasons to avoid getting married, his love. It's a heartbreaking scene, but so beautifully written. It's not mushy, they are still them, still taking the piss, but they are raw and honest and so in love that it hurts.
So, what we have here is the whole thing: a great case, an investigation that, as always, it's tangled with Emory and John's relationship, and hints about the major arc about the Keeper of the Bees.
Another favourite, but, by now, saying this has become a redundancy :P
~º~~º~~º~~º~~º~~º~~º~
EDIT: What I liked the most in this book is the hurt. No, hear me out, I'm not a masochist, I swear it! It's the reality of these characters, the way in which, sometimes, they are stupid and hurtful; the way in which love is not a magic wand that makes everything perfect. They fight, they have rows but, in the end, they talk, they explain, they understand.
And, shees! Having read all the stories, the bits about The Keeper of Bees are even more dreadful *shudders*
josy's review
5.0
35% into the book I'm going on the record: I don't trust Gray Dulac! He is a funny guy, but I can't shake the feeling that there's a dark side to him as well. Not sure yet what his deal is, but I'm extremely wary of him. I have to restrain myself to not read reviews of the following books to see if he's mentioned.
parasolcrafter's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
this was gonna get a lower rating at first but then hazard proposed to somers so that bumped it up.....im a sucker for gay marriage alright
gray is an interesting character...a funny guy but he makes me wanna wring his neck with how often he says dude </3
also im glad hazard and somers are like...kinda talking more abt everything but they still need to go to therapy. like. you guys. you guys cmon.......
gray is an interesting character...a funny guy but he makes me wanna wring his neck with how often he says dude </3
also im glad hazard and somers are like...kinda talking more abt everything but they still need to go to therapy. like. you guys. you guys cmon.......
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Transphobia, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism
alyssadokusho's review
4.0
“He needs to understand that people are like quarks.” He shook his head. “That we are like quarks.” “Like quarks. Right.” “Quantum entanglement. Two particles that are linked so that no matter how far apart they are, they have the same direction of spin. They could be on opposite sides of the universe and if one flips its direction of spin, the other does too. At the exact same time.” She was staring at him like he was crazy, and he fumbled for a way to explain. “Quarks. Spin. Even when we’re apart, we’re still together.”
For a good portion of the book, Gregory Ashe had me walking in circles thinking I was getting closer to my destination when it turns out I hadn’t even stepped more than two feet from my front door. But right when I was starting to get restless three quarters of the way in BAM the emotional floodgates broke and truths came spewing out and my heart was in pain!!
Hazard is his usual prickly porcupine self but I’m at the point where I basically don’t flinch at the words that come out of his mouth or when he hulk smashes miscellaneous objects, etc. Hazard’s growls and grunts are now a jolly good time in my book!!
I have to say, when the connection between H&S and the body posing from the last crime scene courtesy of the Keeper of the Bees clicked into place, I got LITERAL CHILLS. The OH moment fit so well with the whys behind Hazard’s attitude toward marriage and I can't help but gush over their conversation about it.
As for Gray, well, bro needs a chill pill and I’m hoping his new teddy bear of a man can provide that anchor for him because fkboi needs it 😅
I do occasionally think Somers’s tendency to joke and rile Hazard up can go too far, and it bugs me to an extreme because it reminds me too much of my brother figuratively poking me with a stick when we were kids until I burst, so needless to say, I ain't liking it here as much 🤣
BUT what is this?? Do I finally see another female character with a level head on her shoulders, a voice of reason in this town of lunatics besides Cora??? ABOUT TIME. Relationship talks with Rebeca are now one of the main highlights of my reading experience, and it's great seeing Hazard's vulnerable side slip out in front of some of new group of buddies once in a blue moon (even though he'd never admit that lol). Love it when she's spitting out facts and gold nuggets of advice while also representing us readers to a T:
Hazard is his usual prickly porcupine self but I’m at the point where I basically don’t flinch at the words that come out of his mouth or when he hulk smashes miscellaneous objects, etc. Hazard’s growls and grunts are now a jolly good time in my book!!
I have to say, when the connection between H&S and the body posing from the last crime scene courtesy of the Keeper of the Bees clicked into place, I got LITERAL CHILLS. The OH moment fit so well with the whys behind Hazard’s attitude toward marriage and I can't help but gush over their conversation about it.
As for Gray, well, bro needs a chill pill and I’m hoping his new teddy bear of a man can provide that anchor for him because fkboi needs it 😅
I do occasionally think Somers’s tendency to joke and rile Hazard up can go too far, and it bugs me to an extreme because it reminds me too much of my brother figuratively poking me with a stick when we were kids until I burst, so needless to say, I ain't liking it here as much 🤣
BUT what is this?? Do I finally see another female character with a level head on her shoulders, a voice of reason in this town of lunatics besides Cora??? ABOUT TIME. Relationship talks with Rebeca are now one of the main highlights of my reading experience, and it's great seeing Hazard's vulnerable side slip out in front of some of new group of buddies once in a blue moon (even though he'd never admit that lol). Love it when she's spitting out facts and gold nuggets of advice while also representing us readers to a T:
“Sometimes, I think you two are perfect for each other. Other times I imagine strapping you both into car seats and driving that minivan into a brick wall.”
☝️ My exact thoughts in a nutshell.
Mystery-wise, this installment felt more like a stepping stone to something larger in the future, like a semi-filler episode feel in terms of plot, but it was equally important in its revelations and steps toward mutual understanding between H&S. Progress is progress, and that’s all I’m looking for!
Next book, here I come 👀 (Can’t stop won’t stop~)
wendylynnm's review
4.0
I seriously love these guys and finally what I have been waiting for has happened. There are so many serious events happening throughout the book but with humor mixed in, only dry Hazard humor. Haha a logo with a penis and magnifying glass!!
I adore how Hazard makes lists for everything, even when most are in his head. Plus the way he talks about random stuff that he has learned from all of the documentaries.
These two are perfect for each other
Audible code given by the author for an honest review
I adore how Hazard makes lists for everything, even when most are in his head. Plus the way he talks about random stuff that he has learned from all of the documentaries.
These two are perfect for each other
Audible code given by the author for an honest review