First Impressions
by Jay Hogan
Publisher: Blackout Books
Publication Date: January 26, 2018
Amazon
(Free on Kindle Unlimited)
Blurb
Michael:
Two years ago I made a mistake, a big one and then I threw in a couple more just for good measure. I screwed up my life big time but I made it through. I was lucky.
Then I was given the opportunity for a fresh start. Two years in Auckland, NZ, ‘The City of Sails’. Away from the LA gossip, a chance to breathe, to get my life back together.
I grabbed it and packed my new set of golden rules with me.
I don’t do relationships.
I don’t do commitment.
I don’t do white picket fences.
And I especially don’t do arrogant, holier-than-thou, smoking hot K9 officers who walk into my ER and rock my world.
Josh:
The only thing I know for certain about Dr. Michael Oliver is the guy is an arrogant, untrustworthy player, and I’d barely survived the last one of those in my life. Once was more than enough.
The man might be gorgeous but my eleven-year-old daughter takes number one priority and I won’t risk her being hurt, again. I’m a solo dad, a K9 cop and a son to pain in the ass, bigoted parents.
I don’t have time for games.
I don’t have time for taking chances.
I don’t have time for more complications in my life.
And I sure as hell don’t have time for the infuriating Dr. Michael Oliver, however damn sexy he is.
4.5 of 5 Stars
I’m impressed with this first-time author. The story moved at a good pace…the romance and the suspense. I liked all of the characters (except Josh’ parents), flaws and all.
Michael is a bit of a mess after a trauma in his hospital in the States and after reading the opening scene he doesn’t appear to have much under control still. He’s a good guy but he’s buried that and gives the world his devil may care attitude. He’s immediately attracted to Josh but Josh wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately for Josh, they’re forced to be around each other…and they cannot deny the sexual attraction and chemistry. When they finally give into their attraction they’re fantastic together. I didn’t like their lack of communication about their true feelings (I never like that in any book) and I thought Michael was a huge coward near the end of the book. Thankfully Josh took over and fixed everything. 🙂
The suspense plot line was good and not over the top…there was even a late twist which surprised me (and that’s not easily done). I really, really nope Mark and Cam get books…they are both REALLY outstanding. The ending is pretty perfect!
My one complaint surrounds Michael and him being an American (and I’ll admit it’s a bit nitpicky). I suppose it’s possible Michael picked up the dialog and slang in the time he’d been in NZ, but he definitely didn’t sound like he is from the States. There was also reference to the Cowboys-Celtics game which is a mix of 2 different sports. Made up team names would have been better. These are both minor issues but as an American reader were glaring issues that were hard to overlook.
This is definitely a must read by an author that should be on your radar!
About the Author
Jay is a New Zealand author writing in the LGBTQIA genre in MM Romance and Fantasy.
She has traveled extensively and lived in many places including the US, Canada, France, Australia and South Korea, and loves to add experiences from these adventures into her writing.
She is a cat aficionado especially of Maine Coons, and an avid dog lover (but don’t tell the cat). She loves to cook- pretty damn good, loves to sing – pretty damn average, and as for parenting a gorgeous daughter-well that depends on the day.
She has lovely complex boys telling sweet sexy stories in her head that demand attention and a considerable number of words to go with them. Their journeys are never straightforward and can even surprise Jay, but the end is always satisfying.
You can find her at:
https://www.facebook.com/JayHoganAuthor