Wayward

Hazard and Somerset: A Union of Swords, Book 4

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Tristan James

Emery Hazard is trying to plan his wedding, even though his fiancé, John-Henry Somerset, isn’t exactly making things easy for him. To be fair, Somers has been distracted lately; his father is running for mayor in a hotly contested election, and their hometown is splintering under the weight of divisive politics.

In a matter of hours, those poisonous politics invade Hazard’s life in a way he couldn’t have imagined. Glenn Somerset, Somers’s father, shows up on their doorstep, and he wants two things: first, for Hazard to neutralize a blackmail threat; and second, for Somers temporarily to move out of the house he shares with Hazard, part of public relations stunt to win the election. To Hazard’s shock, Somers agrees.

Determined to lose himself in his work, Hazard takes on a missing person’s case, but his investigation only leads him deeper into the tangled web of small-town politics. To find the truth, he must face off with the viciously rich who rule Wahredua — and with the poor, desperate, and marginalized, who fight just as viciously in their own way.

When Hazard’s investigation uncovers a murder, he is forced to work with Somers to bring the killer to justice, despite their fractured relationship. But the sudden news that Hazard’s father is failing fast threatens to put an untimely end to the case — and, in doing so, jeopardize Somers’s last-ditch effort to repair his relationship with his own father.

The killer, though, has an accelerating timeline, and in a world of wayward children, every relationship is fraught with hidden dangers.

©2020 Gregory Ashe (P)2020 Gregory Ashe

Great Series

This is one of my very favourite series. I absolutely love Emery and John Henry.
However I have to admit that this book was not my favourite, I struggled Too like Emery in this one, for far too much of the book he was really a complete jerk. The last few chapters were very redeeming, But I am hoping that maybe in the last few books I will see a nicer Emery. Anyone who has read the majority of the series and this couple knows that Emery is a marshmallow in the centreAnyone who has read the majority of the series and this couple knows that Emery is a marshmallow in the center. It would just be nice to see a tiny bit more of it with the adults in his life.
And really can Nico just go away.
And don't get me started on Gray Duloc. He is turning out to be just a big creep. I thought it was amusing before but this book- yeah -no.
Anyway I look forward to the next book in the series because the last chapter in this one was fabulous.
And of course Tristan James is amazing as the narrator really brings these stories to life.

LOVE

I love Emery and John.. 2 of my favorite men. I can listen to their stories over and over. Will be sad to see it come to an end but so excited to see what happens next. This book did not disappoint it takes you on a ride like all their stories. But always happy in the end.. Can't wait for the next one...

Heartbreakingly, beautiful. 😍 😍

I loved the story and the audiobook. ❤️ It was just what i needed. 😍😍

Loved this one!!!!

I first stumbled across this series when some of my friends started reading it and the reviews were to say the least glowing and then I discovered that not only was it on audio but the narrator was one of my top five favs when it comes to audio books...so, needless to say I needed to check this out and now it's without a doubt I am seriously addicted to Hazard and Somerset.

Once again Tristan James has given voice to John Henry Somerset and Emery Hazard along with all the other characters we've met in the town of Wahredua creating a rich and vivid audio experience that checks all the boxes for me when it comes to what I look for in an audio book.

Here in the fourth book in the 'Hazard and Somerset: A Union of Swords' series the journey once again puts Emery and John Henry's relationship top the test. I spent most of the previous book frustrated beyond belief with John Henry Somerset and to be honest I'd hoped to see him get off of the hot seat this time around...well, what can I say hope springs eternal and while my frustration (interspersed with occasional bouts of rage) didn't last quite as long this time around I have to admit my loving and patient hubby was subjected to more than one suppertime diatribe about how John Henry screwed up this time.

The test begins when John Henry's father knocks on their door demanding that Emery deal with blackmail threats to his political aspirations and that John Henry move out of his and Emery's home to help further his political career. Much to Emery and my surprise and disappointment...John Henry does as his father request. Leaving things a bit strained between the two men. Add in that Emery's father is terminally ill and his health is failing fast, John Henry and Emery find themselves once again working together to solve a murder case and the fact that John Henry's partner on the force and one of Emery's Ex's is are both still trying to stir things up between these two men and it's not hard to imagine their relationship going up in flames.

For me it comes down to the fact that these are two strong willed people and it's inevitable that their wills are going to clash add in things that are beyond their control...things like family and friends whose intentions are questionable at best and you've created a relationship minefield.

I've told myself after and before each book that I'm not going to got so emotionally invested and I cannot lie I've decided that I need to pick my battles and this is one that I'm not going to win. I'm invested in these stories...in this couple in spite of the fact that at times things feel toxic between these two men, I can't help but continue to believe that ultimately these two men will find a way to make things work for them and that ultimately they'll get the happiness that they deserve.

I think the hardest stories to read are those that truly invoke the readers emotions making them feel what characters in the story are feeling, especially when those emotions aren't the kind that inspire sunshine and rainbows. I don't think any of us are immune to feelings that inspire sunshine and rainbows, but for me it's those other emotions that can truly test an author's writing skills. Not that it's impossible but it's definitely harder to make me cry or feel anger and rage when I'm reading a story because I know that at the end of it all chances are things will work out and those characters that I've come to care about so much ultimately will be ok, but sometimes even if we know the destination, it's the journey that leaves us wrecked and Gregory Ashe has once again delivered one heartbreaking and gut wrenching journey with this addition to the series.

*************************
An audio book for "Wayward" was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I want to scream!!

I was literally crying actual tears of frustration by the end of this one. I want to give it 5 stars and also 1 star. It's so well written and the characters are so complex and wonderful. But after seeing how frustrated reviewers always seem to be with Somers, my heart breaks for him and I start to hate everything Hazard does more and more. John has done 100% of the emotional leg work and given 100% of the support throughout both series. Hazard carries all the trauma and Somers has this unreal amount of patience and confidence. He somehow never allows Nico to rattle him for too long, just like he was able to move past his own torture and help Hazard through his PTSD last summer. This is not a criticism of Hazard at all... I'm just explaining what I see in Somers.

Sometimes Somers reminds me of an enthusiastic dog, constantly following Hazard, living off of the rare and reluctant pats on the head, and bouncing back from constant whacks on the snout with astonishing speed and no decline in enthusiasm. He and Hazard both do these amazing things to help each other behind the scenes using things like blackmail and it shows the reader that they both care. But Somers is the one making every big gesture, providing all the emotional growth AND support, and doing all the apologizing (Hazard does this sometimes, but only in a self hating way that martyrs himself). The reader definitely sees how much Hazard loves Somers, and somehow we also just accept that John is so secure that he knows it all on his own, even after catching exes with Hazard and getting verbally demolished all day by the guy he loves. How is he so incredible?! Hazard is an amazing character and he's gone through a lot. But when someone finds it hard to communicate emotion, it does not give them a free pass to not grow or concede, and then make them heroes for sometimes saying "I love you John." Even if it's with all the conviction in the world...

Dulac was the only person fighting for John's feelings in all these books (as weird as it may have been), and John shut that down with such a ruthless efficiency that it actually hurt because I just want someone for John... anyone. Hazards exes are never shut down this way... unless they do it to themselves, that is. I just need Hazard to show John that he is growing and that he loves him, and not in some way John won't ever know about!

Fantastic!

another fantastic read/listen! Love the series, love Tristan, its a bit quirky so be prepared!

Loved it!

I loved this story, I love how Hazard is still helping with the investigations. He is now dealing with his father’s death on top of everything else. His father was a real ass toward Hazard on there last conversation so there’s no love lost. I also love how Somers finally was nice to Hazard and showed him and the world who he loves.

love this series

OMG I want this series to go on and on. I have all is books in the series and I don't want it to end. just one of your biggest fan for life please keep them coming. I love and respect what you do as a brilliant writer, I will all ways
be a fan so thank you😘😘🔥🔥 fire in Jamaica means very very good work so 🔥🔥🔥🔥😘😘😘

I might not survive this series

4.5 stars. Every time I read a Hazard & Somers book, I always think that there's no possible way this new one could be worse than the last. And every, single bloomin' time, Gregory Ashe proves to me that yes, yes he can hurt me more. And that shows more than anything how very much he can make you care, genuinely care about his characters. Jerk. *side-eyes author*

John and Emery have barely had a chance to relax from the last storm when Glenn Somerset shows up, calling due his 'favors" that our guys owe him. He needs John to help him win his election for mayor against Naomi Malsho and he needs Emery to help him find who's blackmailing him to keep him from winning. And to do so, John is asked to move out of the house for 2 weeks and pretend to be broken up with Emery and he agrees. To his credit, he does ask Emery's permission, and Emery can do nothing but give it. Though I *kind of* *grudgingly* understood the why of both John agreeing and Emery giving his consent, it lit me up like somebody had poured gasoline on me and threw a match. 🤯 And I literally burned the whole book. I'm not even kidding, this series is bad for my blood pressure.

There's a lot going on in this book. While John is moved out of the house helping his father with his election, Emery's dad is dying, the cancer finally putting him in the hospital for possibly the last time. So while trying to deal with all the horrible rumors flying around Wahredua *thanks to Somers' dad 🤬*, Emery is trying to deal with all the contradictory emotions his father's decline is causing. Then there's the missing person case Emery is working that seems to intersect with a custody issue John has been assigned, that ends up tying to a murder no one expected. On top of all that, Nico is determinded to be Hazard's friend now and Dulac finally *unintentionally* shows himself to Somers, beneath all the bro-attitude he's always bringing.

These guys have the worst problems when they don't talk to each other, not telling each other how they really feel and then letting their fears and insecurities run them. But even when coming from a place where each has hurt the other, the one thing that remains constant is that they love each other, no matter what else, and neither wants to be without the other. At the point where I was really afraid that they might actually break this time and I had almost given up on John, he really comes through for Emery at the time he needs John most, though he'd never admit it or ask for it. ❤️

Despite the hurt feelings and miscommunication, these two are getting better at talking things out. When they remember to sit and talk first. It's hard to keep in mind that they haven't been together all that long. Also keeping in mind the life they lead, a lot their stresses aren't exactly normal ones. But they are making progress and growing together and I'm so, so hopeful that they'll get to a place that everything won't have to be the hard way, LOL.

One of my favorite things for each book? Give me all the Dee and Evie moments, there can never be enough of them. 🥰

But best of all, after all the painful things, are the things that are blissfully sweet. *swoon* And funny, lmao, because "items" and lists! 😂 That ending was one of the things that will keep me reading Hazard and Somers for as long as Gregory Ashe will write them.

The audiobook was a great listen. Tristan James has really found Hazard and Somers' rhythm, learned their personalities, because I tend to forget that I'm not actually listening to Emery Hazard and John-Henry Somerset. When's the next one out????

Disclaimer: A copy of the Audio book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I really am beginning to hate Sommerset.

When this series started (well the first series) I really liked both characters. As this second set of books progresses I am beginning to really think Sommerset is a jackass. Completely selfish.

The story is good, not as exciting as some of the other books, and Dulak is worth fastforwarding through, but still an enjoyable story. I really hope they fix selfish Sommerset in the next book.