Love the character growth and interesting mystery

There was a lot of action at the end of the last book, Redirection. It had me on the edge of my seat and I could almost feel my own adrenaline pumping along with the characters. There was also a reunion for North and Shaw. Sure they still saw each other at work and were acting like friends with benefits, but their romance, their emotional relationship was repaired and I thought, “Well at least they have each other, now.” I knew they were going to need each other after the threats that came from “Uncle” Ronnie and the damage Tucker did to them.

Snarking at each other and exaggerating/making up faults that the other has is the usual for North and Shaw. Even though their relationship is back on track, this doesn’t change, but I felt a solidness between them that was new. Maybe I was imagining it after what they had been through, but I don’t see them breaking up again. They don’t seem to be hurting each other as much, knowing what is an appropriate joke or not. The title of the book Codirection, direction by two or more people working together, is so fitting for the two of them, since they seem to be more in sync than ever.

On to the mystery… When a teen boy asks North and Shaw to find a friend of his that went missing, Shaw wants to help him, and North reluctantly gets pulled along. Nik and his friend, Malorie, are teenagers living on the street, who often see each other at the same shelter. Malorie left to go to a doctors appointment and never came back. What unfolds is a very sad picture of teenage homelessness. There are several people who seem capable of having something to do with Malorie’s absence. Even the ones not involved are guilty of having taken advantage of the teens in need. It is disgusting and sad, and slightly confusing. I wasn’t completely lost, but there was so much uncertainty I couldn’t guess who the real culprit was, and I don’t know if North and Shaw did until own lives were in danger.

Not to fear, the people responsible for her disappearance and murder are exposed and North and Shaw make it through unscathed. There are also a many number of problems they are dealing with in the aftermath of the last book, so it doesn’t seem like they really have time to relax. North’s ex, Tucker is still causing trouble, even from his jail cell. North’s fatally ill dad is arrested and attacked in jail, and the person behind it seems to be his dad’s old friend Ronnie. Ronnie has been a problem throughout this spin-off series and North can no longer let him keep threatening his and Shaw’s safety as well as the safety of his dad. A threatening meeting ends in a way that no one will suspect.

I can’t reveal anything else, but this story is definitely worth reading, or listening to. Charlie David does a great job voicing these characters. I feel like he embodies them so well, especially Shaw. If you haven’t checked out this series yet, I do recommend starting from the beginning, the mysteries are individual to the book, but the relationship drama needs to be experienced in order. Bonus: If you are a fan of the author’s other series featuring Hazard and Somerset, there is an exciting cameo as well.

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Complex storyline-excellent North & Shaw!

Gregory Ashe takes all the twists and turns in this wonderfully complex mystery. North and Shaw are well...North and Shaw! North is trying to figure himself out, and Shaw is giving him space to do that(NOT). The dialogue is amazing as to be expected from Greg-how he comes up with some of the stuff that Shaw spouts...*shakes head. All in all another fabulous book in this series. Charlie David brings them to life. Gregory Ashe takes all the twists and turns in this wonderfully complex mystery.

It's North and Shaw..

Audiobook - 4 stars

Story - 3.5 stars

Highlight of the book... Squeee Hazard.

I am torn about this one, the writing is still typical Greg, in your face, gritty and engaging.

Buuutt.. Buuuttt... this whole book felt like a filler. First of all we just ignored the previous book events. This kept me waiting for the other shoe to drop but it never did.

I still like Shaw and North and at the same time I don't. Their actions tends to be infuriating most of the time. Their chemistry is off the charts so at least that helps. Their relationship? hmmm! I don't know about that. They deserve each other but then again they suck together. Lol! Shaw needs to learn boundaries and North needs to learn to open up.

The mystery was... omg! brutal, sucks that this happens in RL an dreading about it was heartbreaking. I liked how it was all handled.

The Ronnie bit??? I am still on the fence. It was unbelievable.

Overall, it was an okay read. I am sure Greg is holding on to some angst, book 3 is still one of my faves.

A copy of the Audiobook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Most frustrating couple ever!

I can’t think of two characters in the Ashe-verse (possibly the actual universe), besides Emery Hazard at times, who frustrate me more than North and/or Shaw. Every book it’s like stumbling from cute, playful arguments to endless amounts of irrational behaviors and actions. And increasingly, I find myself not at all following how they survived each day, let alone solved the case! Why do they never learn and change even a little??

Another great installment

This is book 4 of the Borealis: Without a Compass Series. We pick up, after the last traumatic experience in Book 3, with a backyard BBQ. Shaw and North have purchased a house together and are having neighbors and friends over to celebrate. However, the picture of domestic bliss is soon disrupted and ultimately, we see, a façade. The couple is STILL struggling to understand each other’s wants and needs. Add to that, an annoying young man that barges into their life, and home, to ask for help finding a missing friend. We met Nik in a previous book and I don’t think we have seen the last of him as he still has some wrongs that no doubt Shaw will want to right.

I’ll be honest, this book kind of annoyed me. I always get annoyed when the guys do stupid things; and IMHO they do a lot of them in this book. I think the guys are heading for very rough waters. Also I was annoyed that Tucker didn’t get his comeuppance in this one. I’m sure (hope!) it’s coming, but he is not really present in this story. We also get a cameo from Hazard, Shaw’s best, best friend. I love seeing Hazard but couldn’t get use to Charlie David’s voice for him when I’m use to Tristan James. It was just weird.

The murder/mystery is another disturbing one involving homeless teens. I actually did figure out one of the bad guys early on. But as usual, not the “big picture” which was way more involved. Shaw really flexes in this story. We see a side of Shaw that we have only seen glimpses of in previous books. I think the trauma of his attack in college has left a mark on him that he has compartmentalize and brings out when necessary. It could also be some Master Hermes mojo. I was really shocked when it came out at the end and suspect the blowback will be fierce. Also, we see that North is really the “softie” of the pair, despite appearances.

Charlie David put in another masterful performance. And three cheers for the extra effort he put in the pronunciation of Wahredua!! Bravo!

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

Always Want More!

Gregory badge is one of my favorite authors. He writes complex plots and nuanced characters and this book is no exception. The mystery, with its many threads, is intriguing and kept me listening. Watching, well listening to, Shaw and North on the case is compelling and I love the thought tangents they sometimes go on. I am invested in Shaw and North and so it was hard to see the family dynamic that's developing for North in particular. I keep having to remind myself Nick is a kid still and needs to be given a little slack but gah! he did frustrate me. Still, as with any great story, I was thoroughly engaged. Charlie David does a great job narrating this series and I've enjoyed each audio in this series.

Definitely need more!

This one left me wanting more North and Shaw. I loved the mystery as always!! The narrator was also great!

Without a Compass indeed

This is the perfect example of another great story by Gregory Ashe. Some of those qualities include - a great mystery, a convoluted relationship, and a story that keeps you on your toes. These are all true here. Although I enjoyed the mystery in this story, I especially enjoyed the relationship part. Shaw is just a mess, and his craziness continues in this story. Him and North continue to have a wealth of head banging issues, but this is a nice wrap up in this storyline. I should also call out that there is a wealth of side characters that add to the story. Some new and some old friends that help the flow of the story along.
Charlie David did an amazing job on the narration. His narration of the neurotic Shaw is just amazing. I've really enjoyed listening to this series and can see myself coming back to it again.

Shaw ftw

Shaw and North are my couple goals. I love their dysfunctional relationship. I love their arguing. I don't think there is better banter between characters than North and Shaw. I laughed so hard. Great great sexy times. Oh man. I think I'm going to need to relisten to this sooner than later.

Definitely worth a listen

I continue to struggle with North and Shaw. Especially Shaw. It's hard for me to tell what parts of his OTT-ness are put on and what parts are real. Nevertheless, after all the trauma North and Shaw inflicted on each other throughout this series, it was nice to read a book where they're... not happy, but largely functional together? Still broken, but trying to heal (and making progress). The mystery aspects of the story were, as usual, less important to me than the relationship ones. I felt that the big bad (Ronnie, et al.) ended up being resolved a bit too easily—though I did like the resolution. A LOT. Overall, I give this a solid 4 to 4.5 stars. Greg Ashe is always worth reading (and I thank him for a complimentary copy of this audiobook).