A review by mollyreadsandcrafts
Final Orders by Gregory Ashe

4.25

Hazard is hired to protect a visiting controversial author. When his client ends up dead, he and Somers have to wade through "concerned" parents, death threats, and entitled kids to figure out who would want her gone enough to actually go through with it. 

Another one done for Hazard and Somers. The main plot arc through this series focused on Hazard and Somers creating a family together and how it brought up different issues and unresolved emotions from their own childhoods. After struggling the last few books Hazard is finally learning, thank goodness. At least 50% less yelling and outrage and a lot of deep breaths and counting, and it paid off. I'm always getting emotional during Hazard's and Colt bonding moments, but it's just so endearing when they're vulnerable with one another. Hazard is such a softie with a huge heart, underneath all that scowling.

And just when we thought Somers had worked through his trauma, even more of his past issues rise to the surface. Somers and Hazard have come to terms with their shared past, but Somers hasn't really focused as much individually on what he went through hiding and being terrified for so long. He's forced to face those feelings right when he thought he was better and moving forward. Unlike in the past, and even though it takes a while, he does open up to Hazard. Nothing is perfect but he is able to recognize that old hurt and pain, grieving for his past self even if it's decades later. Hazard gives him a safe space to finally accept and start to work through it, and I have a feeling it's going to be a process we'll see more of. 

Honestly this case was really hard to read about with the current political climate. All of Hazard and Somers stories take place in small town Missouri, and this one is set right in the middle of 2020/2021. They have to deal with homophobia, book bans, religious zealots, neo-Nazis, and how all of it affects their children. Outside of the depressing parallels to reality, the case was pretty interesting and fast paced. There's not one big case that's been building up over the series, but there are rising tensions that have been left like little breadcrumbs - especially with Somers and the police force. Even if it wasn't a very complicated case there were plenty of action scenes and dramatic moments to keep me intrigued. 

I know Colt is a teen with his own many unresolved issues but man, is he pushing everyone's buttons, including mine. I do think he's a good kid under it all but it hurts to see how some of his choices unintentionally hurt those he loves. But I do think he and Ash are just adorable teenage idiots, so it kinda makes up for it. The ending was so sweet, and I'm really looking forward to more of him. 

Oh Dulac..I won't lie, I was looking on Ashe's patron and saw a SFW picture of him and was like "Oh hey! This will be fine", and saw he had scars and was like, "Oh, woops". But of course I didn't know the specifics. It hurts that it was such a simple yet horrific thing. We know he and Darnell are going through a big rough patch, and then this on top of it all? I never thought I'd miss when he was an annoying frat boy. It makes me even more intrigued to read his book though.

Nico, just you wait. His man is coming and it's one of my most anticipated reads of the series. And last but not least, Theo and Auggie! It's so weird to see them from this other POV, but I love that we are getting more of them. Auggie and Nico could easily be bffs and I'm hoping that friendship happens. (Now we are just missing Jem and Tean to join the gang). 

I can't believe I've finished all the main couple series and the crossover!! is next!! I'm catching up on all of the short stories, patron flash fictions, The Last Picks, and finally Fer's book before I dive into the crossover. I'm so excited but also don't want it to end. 

Read if you like: 

• romantic suspense     

• private investigator/police      

• family drama     

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