Squeee!

FINALLY. FINALLY. FINALLY. That's really all I have to say.

Although, I still have such a bad feeling about. Ammon. I love Tean and Jem. They are one of my all-time favorite couples. Their banter makes me actually laugh out loud. I cannot wait for the next series!

JF Harding is my favorite narrator. His voice is sooooooooooo good. If you haven't listened to JF before, get on that right away.

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What A ride!!

Audiobook and Story - 4.5 stars

"For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other. - Ecclesiastes 3:19"

Book 3 - Adventures of Amateur Sleuths, Tean and Jem and it delivered.

The Character

Like all the other Greg books, we have complex characters. Tean- I love this Vet. He is so loyal, lovable and everythin in between. I love how his mind works and the way he just blurts out thing that can go on and on and ooon! I can never get bored when it comes to Tean. In this book we get to see Tean find himself. Letting go off things that he held dearly that keeps him from experiencing life to the fullest. I loved this soooo much.

Jem- Oh boy! I didn't expect that!! Jem my beautiful, kindhearted, loyal drifter. I really didn't need to read all that. His past broke my tiny peanut heart. I am so happy the way it was handled. It wouldn't be Greg's writing without the grit. Jem has grown so much as a character. I love Tean's influence on him. Together they make the best hilarous combo.

"Sighing, Jem took Tean by the shoulders, turned him back toward the lobby, and gave him a gentle push. “Go home, please. Give Scipio extra treats for me.”
“I’m not going home. I’m going to wait here until I know they’re not trying to do something to you.”
“Like probe me anally,” Jem said.
“Like—no, not like that. What in the world is wrong with you?"

Love these two.

Scipio - Best supporting character ever.

The Mystery
Woooo! This was intense. It had something to do with Jems past. GAAAHH!! I wanted to jump into the book and strangle everyone except Tean and Jem, ooh and Scipio. The rest can go to the depths of purgatory. I enjoyed the way the inestigation was done. So many twists that kept me glued and looking for clues. Kudos Greg. Jem got his revenge. Me lovey so much.

The Relationship
Dear Lawd!! The freaking wait was worth it. Good thing they were already best friends/normal friends according to Tean. Thes two fit together.

Ammon! He doesn't desrve anything. UGGHH!! Go away!

Overall, I had a good time wlistening to this book. JF Harding owns the narration and took me to places I've never been.

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

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Epic conclusion

From my original review: Here it is—the conclusion to the absolutely fabulous, heart-wrenching, fast-paced, both hilarious and solemn, The Lamb and the Lion mystery series by Gregory Ashe.

J.F. Harding continues to deliver on this beautiful mystery trilogy and his interpretation of the main and supporting cast of characters elevates this from a great audiobook to a remarkable production. Well done, Harding!

Great mystery with amazing characters

I really just want to melt over these characters. Tean and Jem are so devastatingly real and relatable, and they make me feel so much. Tean is something special. At first when I started this series, I thought of him as quirky and not necessarily the best decision maker. Tean’s relationship with the married cop was wrong in so many ways, and then he brought a pretty shady Jem into his life. As much as I came to love Jem, he was definitely a risk to the neat and orderly Tean, who worries about the many ways life can end; for him and the whole world. Over the course of the these three books though we came to see how loyal and helpful he was to people, even when they didn’t deserve it. His family didn’t accept his homosexuality and however bad they treated him, he still helped them out financially. His lover made him feel unworthy physically and mentally. I can’t help to see how good he still remained after all he’d been through. He tries so hard in the beginning of this book, to find a love he deserves, but also to have healthy friendships with Jem and his ex, Ammon.

Jem has also made so many changes in his life from the beginning of this book. After revealing that he was dyslexic, he slowly tries to improve himself. He works on reading, and he tries a few legitimate forms of work, but still relies on his ability to con people. Something that really comes in handy when solving crimes as well. He is a fast thinker who can weasel things out of people and himself out of some sticky situations. Learning about his past was the real devastation. The foster mother who taught him in the art of trickery, also used to abuse him. His credit was ruined by someone who should have put him first. And now we learn of the atrocities he suffered while in juvenile detention. His past has affected his life much more significantly than Tean’s did, but the way that he can project confidence in himself and keep a mostly positive attitude is amazing.

Together, I just love them. Though their relationship has been a real slow burn so far, most of it safely locked in the friend zone. Jem would say “best friend zone,” while Tean would insist they’re more like associates. (Their banter had me smiling more often than not.) Friendship intact, Jem starts this book still sleeping wherever is most convenient, empty apartments or with whichever guy who takes him home from the bar or club. Tean worries about Jem and does all he can to help him better his life, and Jem does really want to try. It’s just not that easy, and it only gets worse when someone Jem knew at juvie contacts him to clear his name from murder. At first Jem is fine if the guy goes down for the crime, seeing as how he hurt and humiliated Jem. But if it means that a far worse foe goes free, Jem reluctantly agrees to help.

The mystery in this book was crazy. At first it seemed simple with a couple of former juvenile delinquents who hadn’t quite changed their ways. Then there was a pending drug deal, an entire force of corrupt police officers, and a pair of vigilantes who wanted to see a man named Tanner get his due (just like Jem.) The players in this game of murder and drugs were many, and Tean was forced to do something he never wanted to. It was crazy but they got out, only it wasn’t the happy ending they wanted. Not right away. While Jem got the closure he needed, Tean was not himself. Yet. In this book, Jem really steps up and shows he is the person who is right for Tean. He gives Tean what he needs instead of worrying about his own needs. Jem is the only one to put Tean first. Tean’s family appears in this book again, and they seem like they want to be bettter to Tean, but they have a long way to go. At this point I don’t know if things will be right with them, but finally, finally, Jem and Tean are on the same page and things are looking up for them.

My goodness, I know my review is quite lengthy, but there is only a little bit more. I am not sure if this is the finale of a trilogy or if there will be more to come of this pair. I would gladly read more and I hope there is more, but there was a sense of finality in this book. I really loved the growth of the two characters. Tean grew more of a backbone, and Jem is definitely going to try to stop breaking the law, as much anyway. They aren’t perfect, but they are real and I love them. I definitely recommend the whole series. The audiobooks narrated by J.F. Harding were brought to life with his narrations and I thought he did a great job.

Wow. Just wow. What an ending.

This was the best ending....at first I thought Jem and Tean weren't going to make it and boy was I mad at Gregory Ashe-for a long time through this book. The story gets better and better but when they MC kept having set back after set back I was UUGGHHH. But he makes it all better by the end :) I HIGHLY recommend this author and this series-or literally ANY of Gregory Ashe's other series.

A gripping story, believable characters and perfect ending.

An amazingly beautiful and tender love story woven within societal prejudices and murder and liberally sprinkled with humor. A must read or listen!

LOVED

One of the best character driven mystery series I have read.
The Same End is a great addition to The Lamb and the Lion series.
The mystery alone will keep you turning the pages. The dialogue will delight you. The characters that Gregory Ashe has created will hold your attention and stay with you long after you finish this story.
This is a not to be missed series that I know I will revisit again.
J.F. Harding does a wonderful job of bringing this story to life!

All the Stars!

This book is the third installment in the Lamb and the Lion and it is a page turner! I would give it all the stars I could give. Even though we know the 3 main characters, their development in this story is just superb. The mystery is the best of the series. There is a bit of angst in this story - be still my heart - but I loved the additional humor that was added. I found myself actually laughing out loud with this story. J.F. Harding delivers another excellent performance helping bring these guys to life. I am a huge fan and really hope there will be more to come!

Great end to the trilogy

The beautiful desert descriptions set a backdrop to the final installment of Tean and Jem's story. It was worth the journey.

Fighting the Past

The past is here and it needs facing. Ammon has recovered his freedom and his beauty, he is talking to Tean of love and relationships. The Decker people (those who had tortured Jem during his juvie years, and taught him hopelessness) are also back on the stage. Tean and Jem have to face them and see whether they can find a way for the both of them, through the ghosts and shadows.
I like they way the story is told, the weight of the past, the fact that it doesn’t simply go away, but has to be pushed out through decisions and choice. The friendship between Tean and Gem is a shinny thread, solid enough to keep them together even when they both push in other directions.
There are 11 hours of laughing and figuring things out, the story of a nice friendship and letting go. It’s worth the time.