The Kiss Principle

Hazardverse: Sidetracks

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Liam Lambert

Keep it simple, stupid.

After spending his whole life taking care of his family, Fernando Lopez is ready for simple. His younger brothers have grown up and moved out of the house. His mom is stable—or as close to stable as she’s ever going to get. He’s even got a shot at his dream job if he can just play his cards right.

Everything is going great until one morning, Fer finds a baby in his kitchen. And not just any baby—his brother Chuy’s infant daughter. With Chuy nowhere to be found, Fer finds himself back in the role of caregiver.

Determined not to let the new arrival disrupt his plans, Fer hires a manny to help him, and he gets more than he bargained for. Zé is sweet, patient, and…hot. Which is definitely not something Fer was prepared to deal with. Worse, Zé seems determined to show Fer that simpler isn’t necessarily better, and that there are some things in life worth fighting for. But for Fer, saying yes to Zé might mean saying no to his family—and Fer has never said no to his family.

©2024 Gregory Ashe (P)2025 Gregory Ashe

All the emotions!!

Loved reading this book and was so happy we got an audio! Before reading I wasn’t really a huge Fer fan. I might have actually found him a little annoying however now I finally understand him I just love him! This book hurt but so glad Fer has someone! It’s great to see someone care for him and so glad he got help. Hopefully he continues to heal and stops being such an enabler. This new to me narrator did a great job! I highly recommend listening if you read Auggies books which were also excellent!!

I relate to Fer

We can sometimes put others before ourselves and that hurts us. I liked the story of what's happening with Fer. I'm glad he found love. It's hard to live with those who have chemical dependency and mental illness. Gregory captured them well is this book. The performance was excellent.

Great Stand Alone

This is a stand alone novel from The First Quarto series with Theo and Auggie. Although this is a stand alone and you don’t have to have read the series, you will get more out of it if you have. Particularly it will give you an idea of Fernando’s (Auggie’s big brother/father) journey to get to the point where he is willing to accept the love of another man. This is sort of a “gay for you” romance as Fer has mostly been with women.

Fer’s has had a very difficult life. He had to grow up fast and has sacrificed so much to take care of his ungrateful “mother” and his brothers. He has not been entirely successful (except with Auggie) and as a result is not used to wanting anything for himself. I put “mother” in quotes as this woman is an anathema to me as a mother. She is narcissistic and I just want to beat her because of her selfishness. Equally selfish is Fer’s other brother Chewy (a drug addict), who drops his baby on Fer and takes off. Fer hasn’t raised a baby since Auggie and when he asks his “mother” for help, she can’t be bother as she needs a vacation with her 19-year-old boyfriend.

Into this s**t show walks Jose (Ze). Fer mistakenly thinks he the nanny he requested and leaves the baby with him. When he realizes his mistake, he races home to find that Ze is a natural caretaker and is available to give Fer the help he needs. Ze helps to give Fer the stability and support he desperately needs and feelings evolve. But the “mother” can’t have that and chaos ensues. I loved the cameo from Auggie, but this is Fer’s book. Fer is hilarious with his name calling and it is wonderful to see his paternal side as he takes care of the baby.

Liam Lambert is a new narrator for me, and he did a good job. At first it wasn’t the voice I had envisioned for Fer when I read the book, but it grew on me. I give him 4.5 out of 5 stars for his performance as some of the voices where a little monotone. But Fer and Ze’s voices were good, and he did great with the emotions of the book.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review

Extremely difficult emotionally.

Gregory Ashe is one of my favorite authors, even though I'm not usually a fan of extreme angst. This story, however, has been very difficult for me. It is emotionally devastating and, had I known before, I would not have read it. It's just too much.

Fer is so much better than I thought.

Fer is such a good brother! We first met Fernando, Fer, in the First Quarto series by this author. Auggie, his brother, was constantly putting his life in danger and we could see the repercussions it had on Fer, the brother that drove Auggie to college, and who kept coming to town when Auggie found himself in a hospital. I remember thinking “Poor, Fer” back then. But other than knowing that the poor guy had to be in constant fear and worry about his brother, I never thought about him away from his minor appearances. I am so glad that Gregory Ashe created a story about him, though. He is such a great character.

Unlike most of this author’s stories, this book remains completely mystery free. Fer wakes up one morning to find a baby in his kitchen, and his other brother Chuy missing. Like all the other times in his life, Fer steps up and does what needs to be done to keep this child, a member of his family, safe and comfortable until his brother returns. I knew that Fer’s mother was an emotional mess who had affected Auggie and Fer’s life with her constant dramatics. I didn’t know how terrible she was though, until this book. I have to say again, how great Fer is. I don’t know how he can put up with her, or his brothers, if I’m being honest.

However, Fer does have a life of his own. He must go to work and when a mix up has him leaving his niece with a door-to-door masseuse. Though it’s always been implied Fer is straight, I liked that Fer didn’t make a big deal when he found himself falling for the accidental manny. He gets such a helpmate in Zé. The Kiss Principle is a sweet romance with one really put-upon character who must start to weigh his own happiness with that of his family’s. It does cause some friction with his budding relationship with Zé. I really enjoyed this mostly uncomplicated romantic story and learning more about the amazing Fer. The narration by Liam Lambert was pretty great, and I would definitely pick up a book narrated by him again.

Screaming, crying, and immediately adding it to my comfort reads

Wow wow WOWOWOW!!!! I don’t have words. This book was everything I love about Gregory Ashe’s books with 0 murder, kidnapping or maiming! Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good thriller/crime procedural just as much as the next person, but this was so TENDER and SWEET and watching the true character growth that took place was enchanting and heart warming and heart breaking and then heart warming again!!

Fer & Ze

I love that Fer, Augustus’ brother from The First Quarto series got his story. Fer finds a baby on his kitchen table and his brother Chuy gone. He gets a Nanny called Ze. As they get to know each other the start falling in love. There’s drama from Fer’s mother and brother, but all ends well.

I really enjoyed this story, hopefully I’ll see them again.

Fernando!!!

After countless appearances in other books, this was a nice little diversion into Fer’s life. No spoilers, but it’s great to see him get some happiness. Easily a nice little ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ listen.

Great story with great narration.

I adore Fer. He is a foul-mouthed, overprotective, older brother who is dedicated to keeping his family healthy and together. I can relate. It’s not easy. My first introduction to Fer was in The First Quatro series, where most of his page time was spent trying to keep his youngest brother, Auggie, out of trouble. I wanted Fer to get his own story, and this book is precisely the type of story I was hoping for: some tumultuous life events, a few emotional near misses, and a chance at happiness.

The Kiss Principle starts with Fer thinking he finally has everything under control, until he finds an unattended baby in the kitchen. Realizing he needs help but not trusting anyone in the family to be responsible enough, he hires a manny. Typical of Gregory Ashe’s writing style, the story has some intense emotional ups and downs. The main characters deal with serious personal issues, but this time, there are no murder mysteries to solve. This is an honest-to-goodness romance without the kittens, poems, or roses. Although… A poem written by Fer would be interesting. He has such a way with words. Too bad having a baby around is going to restrict his creative use of the English language. With Zé’s help, maybe Fer can get the language under control and find a dash of peace and happiness.

Gregory Ashe writes an engaging romance, and the narration by Liam Lambert suited Ashe’s writing. Lambert’s character voices added depth to their personalities, and his performance was emotional. I couldn’t keep the laughter or the tears on the inside. I adored this audiobook. Listening to Fer try to clean up his language while dealing with an impossible situation was a joy. This audiobook is officially on my list of stories to listen to when I need an emotional boost.

AWESOME!! A MUST Listen! You won’t regret!!

The Kiss Principle is a great introduction to Gregory Ashe’s world of fiction, as well as an easy jump into the Hazardverse. While it fits within the broader Hazardverse, this story stands on its own, introducing fresh characters and relationships. For longtime fans, there are plenty of familiar touches, but new readers will feel right at home too.

You’ll find characters you’ll instantly root for as Ashe excels at creating complex, relatable characters, and Fernando "Fer" Lopez is no exception. After years of putting others first, he’s finally focusing on his own future. Enter Zé, whose patience, kindness, and unexpected charm shake up Fer’s carefully laid plans. Their dynamic is filled with tension, humor, and moments of vulnerability that make their journey deeply compelling.

Ashe provides a multi-faceted look at LGBTQ+ romance that explores both gay and bi identities with depth and authenticity. Fer has always prioritized responsibility over personal desires, while Zé challenges him to see love as something worth fighting for. Their relationship is built on mutual understanding, trust, and undeniable chemistry. And yes, things do heat up accordingly.

Just when things seems challenging and at times dire, Ashe offers plenty of humor to keep things light as he balances emotional depth with sharp humor. Fer’s stubbornness and Zé’s good-natured persistence create plenty of witty exchanges and lighthearted moments, making their interactions feel natural and engaging.

With genuine self-discovery and growth throughout, this isn’t just a love story—it’s about learning to make space for happiness. Fer has spent so long taking care of others that the idea of putting himself first feels impossible. As his relationship with Zé deepens, he’s forced to reconsider what he truly wants for his future.

Ashe keeps a steady, satisfying pace as the story moves at just the right speed, letting the romance develop organically while giving the characters time to grow. Each scene adds meaning, leading to a resolution that feels earned and emotionally fulfilling.

Fan service is provided for longtime readers so that those familiar with the Hazardverse will enjoy subtle nods and connections, but the focus remains squarely on Fer and Zé. Whether you’re a returning reader or new to Ashe’s work, the story offers a rich, immersive experience.

At the same time, this one is perfect for fans of heartfelt LGBTQ+ stories
!! With its compelling characters, thoughtful exploration of identity, and balance of humor and emotion, The Kiss Principle is a standout read. It’s a story about love, growth, and finding the courage to embrace something unexpected—one that will resonate long after the final page.

Highly recommend this book!! Highly recommended the recorded book as the Liam the narrator did a wonderful job!!

A quick note - this one touched me personally. I saw myself in Fer - the questioning, the heartache, the deconstruction of self, the new experiences, the surprises, the personal growth, etc. What an emotionally charged experience!! In the end, I find that I am better person for having experienced this book. It confirmed for me, that like Fer, I will be ok too.

My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this audiobook.