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readaholicliv 's review for:

Guilt by Association by Gregory Ashe
3.5
adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-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: Yes

 Reading Journal Details
Book: Guilt by Association by Gregory Ashe
Format Read: Audiobook (~11 hours, 37 minutes long)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

Quick Take Review
Guilt by Association delivers the signature humor, chemistry, and engaging character arcs that make Gregory Ashe's books so enjoyable, even if the mystery itself is somewhat predictable in this installment. While the ending was unexpected yet underwhelming, the continued growth of core characters keeps the series compelling despite some repetitive elements.

Full Review
The chemistry between Somers and Hazard continues to be a major highlight in Guilt by Association, with their top-notch banter injecting humor and depth into the story. As always, Gregory Ashe delivers a solid blend of character-driven storytelling and mystery, making his books a reliable go-to when you're in a reading slump—offering consistency in writing quality, intriguing (if sometimes predictable) mysteries, and lovable characters.

That said, not all elements in the mark in this story. Nico remains an entitled brat in my eyes—andt his book did nothing to change that—while Cora's surprising growth was a refreshing contrast. Unfortunately, several plot points felt like recycled moments from books two and three, respectively, leading to a sense of déjà vu that made parts of the story feel stale.

Essentially, Hazard remains his lovable, broken self in need of a hug, while Somer's "alcoholism" seems to be conveniently forgotten until the narrative requires a dramatic moment—an inconsistency that grates more with each installment.

The mystery itself was fairly predictable, but the character dynamics and subplots kept the narrative overall engaging. However, the ending—while completely unexpected—felt disappointingly underwhelming. Without giving away spoilers, I can say it felt me surprised but not entirely satisifed.