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A review by cspoe
Off Duty by Gregory Ashe
5.0
I. Love. Codas.
Okay—most of these are longer than a coda, the slice of life moments written in between books which can sometimes double as character studies, most are actually fully thought-out short stories with a beginning, middle, and end. And I love short stories nearly as much as I love codas. This collection keeps the vibe, atmosphere, and quality of the first six Hazard and Somerset books, but the content is lighter—dare I say—sweeter. Or at least as sweet as Ashe delivers when it comes to these two precious dumb boys.
I really loved each of the stories. They all offered little nuggets of additional insight into future plot and character growth, but not to such a point that you must read this collection or that you'll be lost in future books having not read it. And that's the fine line all authors must walk when writing these insightful vignettes. The relationship between Hazard and Somers is front and center here, showcasing their wit, humor, love, and that occasional bang-your-head-against-the-wall frustration you have for a partner, even when you adore them.
If I had to pick a favorite, I think it was the moment when Somers was trying to feed Evie dinner and that toddler was having none of it until Hazard stepped in. It really showed both men in opposite settings. Somers is usually so calm and cool, able to get anyone to bend to his will, and yet here, he finally loses it with his daughter. And Hazard, a man of limited patience and perpetual grump, is able to sit down with her and convince the girl that yeah, broccoli is yummy. It was a tender moment and a highlight of the sort of very human vulnerabilities everyone experiences.
I've got my fingers crossed that Ashe will publish the next collection of shorts in one book after he wraps Union of Swords!
Okay—most of these are longer than a coda, the slice of life moments written in between books which can sometimes double as character studies, most are actually fully thought-out short stories with a beginning, middle, and end. And I love short stories nearly as much as I love codas. This collection keeps the vibe, atmosphere, and quality of the first six Hazard and Somerset books, but the content is lighter—dare I say—sweeter. Or at least as sweet as Ashe delivers when it comes to these two precious dumb boys.
I really loved each of the stories. They all offered little nuggets of additional insight into future plot and character growth, but not to such a point that you must read this collection or that you'll be lost in future books having not read it. And that's the fine line all authors must walk when writing these insightful vignettes. The relationship between Hazard and Somers is front and center here, showcasing their wit, humor, love, and that occasional bang-your-head-against-the-wall frustration you have for a partner, even when you adore them.
If I had to pick a favorite, I think it was the moment when Somers was trying to feed Evie dinner and that toddler was having none of it until Hazard stepped in. It really showed both men in opposite settings. Somers is usually so calm and cool, able to get anyone to bend to his will, and yet here, he finally loses it with his daughter. And Hazard, a man of limited patience and perpetual grump, is able to sit down with her and convince the girl that yeah, broccoli is yummy. It was a tender moment and a highlight of the sort of very human vulnerabilities everyone experiences.
I've got my fingers crossed that Ashe will publish the next collection of shorts in one book after he wraps Union of Swords!