A review by mollyreadsandcrafts
Custody Battles by Gregory Ashe

4.0

•spoilers• 

Hazard and Somers are settling into their new family dynamic when Somers's dad asks them for a favor. Caught up in a toxic family feud, they also have to face a fight for their own family while hunting down a killer, or killers. 

I was so happy and proud of Hazard and Somers growth in the last book, but all good things must end. It's not that dramatic but I do feel like they took a few steps back, especially Somers. He's struggling with his new responsibilities and his relationship with Colt, thinking he can handle things as his usual charming self and not having it work out. He internalizes a lot and tries to put on a happy face for the world, but you would think by now he knows he can trust Hazard with his troubles. Hazard is his usual grumpy self but he's there to call Somers out on his bullshit and make him talk. That's one big difference with them as a couple now - they do get to the place where they can sit down and have an honest conversation before the damage is done. They've come so far, but there's still a ways to go. 

This installment was very focused on Somers and Colt's relationship. Colt had a lot of unresolved issues from his dad's abuse and he transfers those onto Somers, making his life immensely difficult. Somers is trying to get through to him but, as I've come to learn in this series, teenagers can be impossible and Somers is at a loss of what to do. It took a lot to get there, but Somers protecting  Colt when he needed it the most really helped their relationship - even if I wish it wasn't necessary. 

I honestly didn't care much about the case. They all seemed like horrible people and it was hard to have any sympathy for them. Once again it was used more as a tool to support the issues going on with Hazard and Somers and their own family. I'm all for a big action scene and it did give me that at least. 

Most of Ashe's series have a big overall case tying them all together. I'm not sure if that's really what's happening here or if the theme is more about Hazard and Somers relationship and growing family, but I'm looking forward to more of all of it. 

Read if you like: 

• romantic suspense     

• private investigator/police      

• family drama     

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