Off Duty

Hazard and Somerset

by Gregory Ashe

Hazard and Somerset: Off Duty is a collection of short stories. It includes the following:

“Tickets to the Gun Show”
Emery Hazard just wants to take his boyfriend to a concert, but some people are assholes. (Takes place before Guilt by Association)

“When the Road Rises Up”
Hazard and Somers go on their first vacation as a couple, but when no one can explain the sound of a crying child at night, Hazard decides to investigate. (Takes place before Reasonable Doubt)

“Little Stoics”
Somers is going to get a book signed by Hazard’s favorite author. He just has to keep Hazard from escaping physical therapy first. (Takes place before Criminal Past)

“Hazard and Somerset: Off Duty”
Six vignettes featuring Hazard and Somerset in daily life. (Takes place after Criminal Past)

Please note that three of these stories were distributed in a preliminary form to mailing list subscribers.
“Hazard and Somerset: Off Duty” is exclusively available in this collection.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Mystery, Contemporary, Short Stories, Crime, LGBT

133 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2019

About the author

I'm a long-time Midwesterner. I've lived in Chicago, Bloomington (IN), and Saint Louis, my current home. Aside from reading and writing (which take up a lot of my time), I'm an educator.

While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!

My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.

Reviews

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread- September 2023

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Reread July 2021
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Worth it. I love Hazard and Somers. 😍😍

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.375

“Tickets to the Gun Show” - ✯✯✯

I RULLY thought that whole Mosbie storyline was going in a different direction. *eyebrows* And I was kinda butthurt that I was wrong.

However, these two knuckleheads continue to worm their way into my heart. Both are sacrificing and altruistic where the other is concerned. And both are completely oblivious to the other's altruism and self-sacrifice.

Knuckleheads.

Adorable knuckleheads but knuckleheads nonetheless.

“When the Road Rises Up” - ✯✯✯✯

So adorable!

I'm guilty of being somewhat frustrated by the extended lead-up to them becoming a "we" but now that they are, all that time developing them as friends first is paying off in the cutest shorthand banter.

The case is kind of heartbreaking right up until Somers zooms up on a pink scooter to save the day. LOLZ for daysssss.

“Little Stoics” - ✯✯✯

One of these two knuckleheads is going to get their ass shot full of holes one of these days with all these zany shenanigans is all I'm saying.

“Hazard and Somerset: Off Duty” - ✯✯✯ 1/2

More a series of vignettes after the conclusion of the series. I chuckled more than once especially the "mice water" one. The way Somers ribs Hazard is truly hilarious 99% of the time because Hazard falls for it. You'd think he'd learn but you would be wrong.

I'm excited to see how the spinoff unfolds.

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, cute, chuckle-worthy.
If that, in relation to Hazard and Somers, sounds like an oxymoron to you, I wouldn’t blame you.
The six main books in the series are gritty and tough, with a huge amount of hurt and angst.

This collection of little moments at different times throughout the series is like balm on an open wound though. They show how much Hazard and Somerset care, and all the crazy/funny/heartwarming things they do for each other for exactly that reason. I can’t even say how much I loved this. To see them happy, understanding and supporting each other.

And the laughs! Somehow so rare before, but here they add so much lightness to Hazard and Somer’s relationship. Even now, after reading, I have to grin broadly at the genuine LOL moment at 81%. Really hilarious!

What I loved most (apart from all the caring and nurturing between these two guys) is how Hazard calls Somers ‘John’. For some reason, to me, that sums up how far they and their relationship have come.

I would highly recommend reading these stories in the order indicated by the author.
They will brighten up the series and make you SMILE and SWOON!

Thanks to the author for this brilliant addition!
This is a must if you have read the series!

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook out now! https://www.audible.com/pd/Off-Duty-A...

[4.5] Is it just me or did this sorta read like a crack fic at times 🤣🤣🤣

Somers riding up on a pink scooter to rescue Hazard like the knight in shining armor he is, absolutely ICONIC.

As always, I'm surprised their bodies still manage to remain in one piece. I wish I were as resilient as them but nooooo instead I got a pair of elderly knees always threatening to give out at any moment 😔

On a different note, I love how:
- they risk life and limb for each other behind the scenes like it’s as natural as breathing
- they tag team troll people by taking opposing approaches to the conversation
- Somers provokes Hazard’s possessive side
- their family dynamics work with Evie in their lives

THESE TWO TOGETHER ARE SICKENING
....sickeningly sweet, that is 😩

Union of Swords, here I come!

[Annery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to rate these individually but ... let's just say I liked them all and I'd definitely recommend reading them. I'm also adding some other shorts that have been available from the author but not listed on GR.

"TICKETS TO THE GUN SHOW"
This is takes place on January 14th, about two weeks after the Christmas/New Year's Eve events in Paternity Case. Hazard & Somers are deluding each other with the fiction that they're work partners, sort of friends, and roommates. Each is diligently working on separate romantic relationships: Emery trying to convince himself that he's happy with Nico, though realistically the don't exist in the same universe, and John-Henry pursuing a reconciliation with Cora. It's evident to the reader, the MCs individually, that these are doomed pursuits, but still they persist.

I love how this story isn't just as side indulgence from the author to the fans, but another window into how much these two care for each other, how they show it in deeds, even when they can't say it with words or face to face. I like the recurring side characters who form the Wahredua universe, and I absolutely love how part of this story neatly sets up the opening of Guilt by Association, which I've started.

Color me HAPPY.

"WHEN THE ROAD RISES UP
This takes place after Guilt by Association. It's John-Henry & Emery's first weekend getaway as a couple, and of course trouble follows. It's fun to see them learning to navigate their new status, how they always have each other's back, as a couple and as professional partners.

"LITTLE STOICS"
My heart. My heart. My heart. After the events of Reasonable Doubt seeing Somers being such a knucklehead out of love, and all the other stuff he's been doing? Heart melting.

The rest of the book is a series of vignettes that come after Criminal Past from August 5th to September 27th, and each cover an hour or a day in their new lives. They deepen and enrich the characters, what they're going through, and my cold heart might have skipped a beat or two.

***The shorts below are not included in this volume, but I don't see them listed in GR***

"PRETTY AND PINK AND PERFECT"
This story falls in the middle of the vignettes and it's super cute. Emery and John-Henry are hosting Evie's birthday party in their new house. Hazard is trying to make it perfect, and largely succeeds, in spite of the usual miscreants, and the fact that Hazard has no experience with children, family, or healthy relationships.

"JOHN-HENRY SOMERSET: SOLD!"
Hazard & Somers go to the Pretty Pretty, there's an auction, Hazard doesn't share. Oh! And a Nico sighting too.

"PICK UP LINE"
The things John-Henry will do for Emery are big and small and mean everything. This is the last short before The Rational Faculty and I suspect Hazard's state of mind, alluded to here, will get full attention in the new arc.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed getting these little glimpses of Emery and JH's lives outside of the main series where there was a whole lot less tension and they just had more space to actually be.

My favourite was actually the last group of scenes though that take place after the final book in the series. I find all of the scenes with Evie really funny and relatable because I'm also a parent and she reminds me of my six year old so, so much 😂😂

I also like how these shorter stories break up a lot of the heaviness and plot heavy books but they still feel really in character and realistic.

[Claudie ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this theory that for GA, writing all these cute little shorts is a means of easing his own conscience after putting his readers through the emotional wringer in the main series, with the additional benefit of lulling us all into a temporary state of comfort and contentment before the next salvo.

I don't care.

The image of Somers coming to the rescue on that noisy pink scooter will be etched in my mind forever. 💘💘💘

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love how, even during their day offs or when they're trying to go on vacation... they still somehow find themselves solving a case (especially hazard). it's literally just engraved in them at this point. 😭😂

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este es un grupo de historias cortas que se desarrollan despues de los libros 3, 4,5,6, todas historias graciosas de como los problemas los encuentran a ellos donde quiera que vayan y lo que sea que esten haciendo. La ultima, tiene mas aire de prologo o tal vez precuela para la proxima serie de la pareja y la primera son los primeros sintomas de que la relacion Hazard-Nico no iba a ninguna parte.
Puedes pasar sin las historias, yo esperaba que agregaran algo a los vacios que dejo la serie, como por ejemplo, como fue la reunion con los padres de Hazard, o como esogieron la casa y el vecindario, o quizas alguno tipo de cena con los padres de Somerset, o algun encuentro fortuito de ellos con Nico, no se, algo un poco mas aclaratorio.
Quizas, hubiera sido mas entretenido si las hubiera leido entre libros y no al final, quizas las hubiera disfrutado mas, pero lo cierto es que si las lees o no, no ganas o pierdes nada de la historia.
Sin embargo, todavia no estoy muy convencida de seguir con la proxima serie de esta pareja, quizas mas adelante.

[Lisazj1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so hard! ❤️ All these little looks into John & Emery's life are all the giddy, sweet fun we don't get much of in the series books. These guys are so damn funny sometimes! And there can never be enough Dee & Evie! 🥰 More please!

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A while back, I remember seeing a review of one book in the Hazard and Somerset series, that called for the guys to be given a bit of a break - to let us see them in some of their off duty moments and in situations that weren't almost certain to get them killed or injured!

Well, here they are - in the aptly titled Off Duty, a set of short stories, all but one of which were previously available as extras with the author's newsletter. The final set of vignettes - Off Duty are new however, and well worth the price of admission on their own, even if you've read the others.

As ever with these two, the banter is excellent, and even in those stories set before they became a couple, the author does a fantastic job of showing how deeply they care for each other, even when John-Henry is snarking and Emery is grumbling and threatening dire retribution. The post-Criminal Past vignettes of Hazard and Somers setting up home together are terrific, sexy and funny... but knowing that evil genius Mr. Ashe, he's got some serious angst coming down the line in The Rational Faculty, so take advantage of happy and settled H&S while you can!

[Sam I AMNreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Stoics made me cry...it was a fun set, I particularly liked LS and Off Duty.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was supposed to read this AFTER the sixth book. Some of the stories came after that one. But I just really wanted some cute little Ree and John stories. So I cheated and read it early. I knew nothing would be a big spoiler anyway, as I had already met the couple in one of the, “Borealis,” books, which started after this one. So sue me, I cheated and read it out of order. 😱🤷🏻‍♀️

This was a delightful little book of short stories that lets you spend time with Ree and John when they aren’t working a huge case. Of course they get themselves pulled into little cases anyhow. Even on vacation.

With the exception of one story, all take place after they get together. So it’s full of tiny, tender moments. Along with a lot of action and snarky banter. 😍

**Just a note for all Hazard and Somerset books. They are more considered gay fiction not romance. So if you are looking for lots of sexy scenes, you might be disappointed. There are some quite steamy moments but they are not overly graphic and do not happen frequently. However, to me, they were still incredibly hot. The UST, pining and feels are through the roof. But I just wanted to put this out there in case it’s not what you are looking for. 😀**

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somers started to laugh. It poured out of him, mixing with his exhaustion until he felt hysterical, giddy with laughter he couldn’t seem to stop.

“You’re so fucking annoying sometimes,” Hazard grumbled, shoving Somers off his lap. “Go get some sleep.”

Somers managed to rein in his laughter long enough to kiss Hazard. “Thank you.”

Hazard shoved Somers away again.

“No, seriously, Ree. Thank you.”

“We’re a team, right?” But the color was high in his pale cheeks, and it was obvious that he was pleased.

“Yep. We’re a team.” Somers held his hand out for a high five.

Hazard rolled his eyes.

But after another moment, he slapped his hand against Somers’s.

I opened this book to see if the first story was set before Paternity Case (which I'm rereading right now) or after and despite the answer being after and me not being done with my reread yet (not even close) I reread all these shorts today. It came with a little bit of shock to me that I never went back to these in the last year because I constantly reread some stories from Off Duty Vol. 2, they're my comfort reads. With this reread, I found myself enjoying the first arc shorts a lot too. There is something so special about this era of Hazard and Somers' relationship that I don't think I will ever find captured with another fictional couple.

[BevS · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars from me. Lovely little set of vignettes featuring John and Ree, most of which made me smile. Really looking forward to the new series of stories, starting with The Rational Faculty, which releases on 28th November.

[h o l l i s · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were all so good. I think I liked the first one the least (I was so unprepared for Nico showing up on page again, talk about some minor whiplash) and LITTLE STOICS was just.. gah, my heart. But the vignettes were perfection, too.

I'm so glad I put this off after finishing the series because this was the best way to reintegrate into the Hazard & Somerset world after a little time away.

[Em Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dummies 😌❤️😂

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

aww loved these Hazard & Somerset gems 🥰

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I love the characters but hadn’t bothered to read the description “a collection of short stories” so, my fault but it wasn’t what I was expecting or in the mood for therefore I’m rounding up.

[Nelly S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

How can these short stories be so damn good??? They are perfect little bite size portions of Hazard and Somers. I have no idea how Gregory Ashe pulls it off. I love their banter and adorable interactions. Hazard is his normal grumpy self and Somers delights in needling him and drives him up the wall. They’re so funny and cute together.

[Carol (bookish_notes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

These shorts and vignettes make me so happy. It’s just so nice to see Hazard and Somers be a sweet adoring couple who would do everything for each other. I hadn’t originally signed up for the author’s newsletter when I was reading this series so I had only read “Tickets to the Gun Show”.

“When the Road Rises Up” and “Little Stoics” are a DELIGHT.

The last six vignettes are a slice of life type of thing where the intent might be to update the reader on what Hazard and Somers’s life has been like between the last story arc and the new one that’s due to start next month.

I highly recommend reading this book for some lighter fare between Hazard and Somers and definitely only read this only after you’re done reading books 1-6.

[Molly]

Hazard and Somerset: Off Duty is a collection of short stories that takes place through The Hazard and Somerset Mysteries and a couple that take place after the final book.

This was such a joy to read. The books are more focused on the mystery and other plot but these are lighter anecdotes that highlight the relationship between Hazard and Somers. I love "slice of life" stories, and especially after reading a lot of drama it was perfect to see the everyday life between them. The stories are highly amusing and I laughed multiple times. It turns out if you take away all the murder and insecurity, they are an insanely adorable couple who love to rile each other up.

I highly recommend reading these, either chronologically throughout the series or all at the end. They bring a fun levity to the series!

Read if you like:
• mystery/suspense
• novella/short stories
• opposites attract

•••••••••••••••••••••

[Joanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.

I definitely needed these stories after a thunderstorm of emotions that was Criminal Past and Angst-gest that The Rational Faculty stars proving to be. I’m even happy I waited with all of them till the end of the first series and not read them in between, where they meant to be, chronologically. I needed all the happiness, all the feels, all the humour and all the love. The stories delivered.

I also love the idea of an author writing little stories like fanfiction to their series. It shows enough love and fun they have with the characters and I can’t not appreciate it. So yes, again, all the hearts.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my goodness.

For all the angst and stress our poor boys endure in the first series, Gregory Ashe rewards them (and his readers) with a quartet of amusing, short stories that lets us just relax and enjoy our boys.

I can't tell you how often I reread these when I need a giggle, and thanks to their skilled creator, I plan to read this again and again.

[C.S. Poe · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Crystal D. Budy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 2024 Reread ***

Words cannot express how much I adore these two.

[Janine Ballard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

The following review contains spoilers for some of the books in Gregory Ashe’s Hazard and Somerset gay mysteries. If you are interested in reading the books and want to avoid spoilers, avoid this page and visit my review of book one, Pretty Pretty Boys.

(https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...)

Hazard and Somerset: Off-Duty is a 131-page collection of three novellas and a handful of vignettes that take place between books in the Hazard and Somerset mystery series. Although the books in the series are of varying quality, I got obsessed with the romantic relationship the series centers around so I wanted to read this anthology.

Tickets to the Gun Show

This short story, about 25 kindle pages in length, takes place between Paternity Case (book #3) and Guilt by Association (book #4).

There are a few threads here. Hazard is at the Pretty Pretty (Wahredua’s only gay bar) when he observes three men spray painting the gay club’s exterior with homophobic slurs. Hazard and his boyfriend, Nico, are on the outs and Somers is trying to help Hazard get Nico back. Somers left concert tickets in his desk for a concert he and his somewhat estranged wife Cora plan to attend, and he asks Hazard to pick them up for him, but it turns out the tickets are missing and Hazard has to figure out who took them and then get them back.

This story was just not bad. There was not much mystery here; it only takes Hazard a few pages to work out the identity of the thief. The rest of it is about the lengths Hazard will go to get the tickets to Somers and there’s some action involved in that and a bit that shows how Somers tries to get Nico and Hazard back in each other’s good graces.

This review is partial. You can read it in its entirety at Dear Author, here:

https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a tad disappointed to find out that many of the short stories featured a mini mystery which wasn't what I was looking for in short stories like these.

I would have preferred if there were interesting events or tidbits of special scenes that we could only glimpse from these stories. The last few stories were just that, which I really liked.

What's really great is that the each short had an indicator of where the story timeline took place during the first series, so you can avoid any spoilers before that.

Four Stars!

[Lori¸¸¸.•*❀Ɍɛɑɗs̱LɪƙɛIʈs̱H̱ɛɍJɔɓ 유❤유 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thinking of skipping this because I have tended not to like shorts in the past but I think I just need to get over that because I am glad I didn't skip this. I really enjoy Ree and Somers and there relationship is actually very sweet but still has issues which has made it more realistic to me.

My favorite part was the vignettes. I really loved the everyday little snippets when there aren't any crimes being investigated. It makes their relationship seem even more rich and dear.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories gave me life and breathed much needed fresh air into the spaces between all of the hard places I found myself in the latter part of the series. They feel like an apology from Gregory Ashe. Something like "Dear Reader, I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. Please enjoy these delicious treats as an apology for the emotional and mental toll the novels have surely enacted on your mind and soul." 😂 I'll take them, Gregory Ashe, I will take them. Any scraps of H&S joy, happiness, and domesticity you have to give me I will gladly welcome with open arms. 🫂