“Powder and Pavlova is charming, sexy and poignant; funny at one moment, heart-breaking the next, and I loved every minute of it.” —All About Romance
ETHAN SHARPE’s life is a hot mess. His mother has died, his fifteen-year-old brother is going off the rails and the café he’s inherited is failing. The last thing he needs is another complication—like the man who just walked into his café.
A … the man who just walked into his café.
A much older…
sinfully hot…
EPIC complication.
But Ethan can’t get Tanner out of his head, and maybe some no strings attached stress relief might actually help him get through the day. A little fun, a little time for himself away from the chaos of his life. It couldn’t hurt, right? Then they’d go their separate ways and Ethan’s world might look a little brighter, for a while.
It was a good plan, until it wasn’t.
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Powder and Pavlova was an absolute delight to read. What I loved most about the book was the wormth and affection emanating from its pages. And I’m not referring only to the romance between Ethan and Tanner,but also to the close group of friends they have around them. To me they felt more like a family,their interactions full of banter and jokes,but also offering support or blunt truths when needed. It was prove,once again, of Jay Hogan’s skill in writing connections.
The story has an easy flow of contrasting emotion. From despair and heartbreak to hope and joy,from sorrow to happiness. I’ve been a witness to overwhelming pain and grief, to then turn the page and laugh outloud. The dialogues would take me from witty comebacks to serious talks…and it all made it so I was always captivated and charmed by the storyline.
A must read.
I absolutely enjoyed this book. Jay Hogan is a new author to me so I didn’t know what to expect. Now I’m a huge fan. I loved the author’s writing: The characters were well-developed and the story had great dialogue. It is so witty and had great pace. I look forward to reading more of her books.
Really enjoyed Ethan and Tanner’s story and looking forward to more from the series. First time reading this author and will be reading more from her.
This author is one of my favourites for contemporary romance, and I’m already hooked on this new series from her. An added bonus is the New Zealand setting, as I love reading stories set here. Queenstown is beautiful, and wonderfully described in this story.
I was invested in Ethan and Tanner’s story as soon as I started reading. I love Ethan who talks and talks to the point of embarrassment. He and Tanner complement each other well. I liked how they slowly built a friendship alongside their romance. I loved how Tanner looks after Ethan when he’s throwing up and cooks a week’s worth of meals for him—that’s definitely a sign of true love. Love the description especially of their first time together. The banter between them is fun, and feels very real, as does the emotional angst when their relationship takes a step forward, then back, and neither of them can see a way for it to continue long term.
The supporting cast is great. I’m very happy that Adrian is getting his own book. Lucy and Elle rock too, and I thought they both added to the storyline, and the extended family vibe. Elle is a wonderful voice of reason with the added bonus of having a foul mouth. Loved Sylvia, Tanner’s PA too. I’d love to see more of Tanner’s friend Stefan. Bryn also deserves a mention—he’s definitely a character in his own right.
I thought the sibling relationship between Ethan and Kurt was handled well. It felt very real as did their different ways of dealing, or rather not dealing, with their mother’s death.
The ending was very satisfying. Loved it.
Another fabulous read from this author, and looking forward to more in this series.
This is my second book from Jay. I was sucked in just by the cover. Age gap, hurt/comfort, laughter and all the feels. Ethan and Tanner were relatable characters, facing real life issues and how to get through obstacles life throws at you. I can definitely relate. Highly recommended read.
Super enjoyed this read! Loved the characters ..Tanner and Ethan, love age gap and I had giggled and tears! A great new series beginning.
Jay Hogan’s Powder and Pavlova, the first book in the Southern Lights series, is wonderful.
Tanner and Ethan, two men who belong together, have bad timing and conflicting circumstances. Hooked immediately, I love and adore these two men who must choose between love and responsibilities. The emotions left me gutted at times. Both men have realistic and dynamic.
What starts as a temporary arrangement, soon turns into more for these two men who are great together. What follows is a riveting tale full of heat, humor, conflict, and romance. I absolutely love these men as a couple. Their connection is undeniable and their chemistry is sizzling.
Tanner oozes success as he’s trying to move forward with his life. His future is elsewhere, yet he can’t resist spending as much time as possible with the gorgeous Ethan. Ethan, a café owner, is much younger than the handsome Tanner, but he looks even younger than he is. His responsibilities are his main focus, as he is raising his younger brother.
And then we have the secondary characters. Ethan and his group of friends are fantastic, adding a whole lot of warmth to this story.
The writing is amazing, with compelling and intriguing characters who are well developed and fully come alive. There’s superb dialogue, and the storyline is impressive and thoughtful.
Powder & Pavlova is a long and wonderful romance. Jay Hogan impresses in this emotions and steamy romance between two men trying to find their place in this world after some life changing set-backs.
Powder and Pavlova is one of the sweetest, romantic books I’ve read in a while. Jay Hogan did a tremendous job with this one. There’s forgiveness, acceptance, coming of age, drug abuse, some funny moments, misunderstanding and a lot of angst. Ethan and Tanner are perfect together. The way the author wrote their story you just can’t but get this feeling that you are right there with them. Its a slow-burn romance and I’ve loved it from start to finish.
This was an emotional story of a young man that lost his mom and now has to manage everything back home. The stress is taking a toll on Ethan at his mom coffee shop that he inherits. But will the struggle with his 16 years old brother and not knowing how to connect again with him. Tanner he pulls to Ethan if though there is a major age difference. We see Tanner and Ethan come together and heal each other from there pains and guilt. The banter and flirting with this two would make you fan yourself from reading. Can’t wait to see what happens next and maybe something with the recluse author/barista highly recommend this book today
Powder & Pavlova is book one in the Southern Lights series by Jay Hogan. This story had a little of everything captivating, mesmirising, frustrating and enlightening. All boxes were ticked. I could not have asked for a better kick off to 2020. There were hard times. There were easy times. And there were the beautiful moments. Energetically sublime is what Jay Hogan has delivered and I cannot wait for more.
Somehow, love makes things possible!
A really really sweet age gap story that’ll make you love Jay Hogan more! I love the books I have read so far from Ms. Hogan, she has her own distinct style of writing that is amazing! In this book, you will fall insanely in love with Ethan and Tanner!
Ethan inherited his mother’s cafe at a very young age, and he has to take care of his younger brother as well. Never mind that said brother is slowly going off the rails.
Here comes Tanner Carpenter, older and truly delicious, I mean just yummy, yummy! He sees Ethan struggling and in over his head. He wants to help, what harm can it do right? A love story evolves that will make you swoon and just fall in love again! But also a story of losing a parent and left trying to pick the pieces up. The pain of losing a parent unexpectedly and coping with what’s left after, and trying to live again!