Michael:Two years ago, I made a mistake, a big one. Then I added a couple more just for good measure. I screwed up my life, but I survived. Now I have the opportunity for a fresh start. Two years in NZ. Away from the LA gossip, a chance to breathe, to rebuild my life. But I’m taking a new set of rules with me.I don’t do relationships.I don’t do commitment.I don’t do white picket fences.And I … 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:
One thing for certain, Dr. Michael Oliver is an arrogant, untrustworthy player, and I barely survived the last one of those. He might be gorgeous, but my daughter takes number one priority. I won’t risk her being hurt, again. I’m a solo dad, a K9 cop and a son to pain-in-the-ass 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.
more
Michael Oliver’s life as an ER doctor, spiraled out of control after a tragic loss. Besides leaving what was left of his life, he also left America. He’s taken a temporary ER position at Aucland Med in New Zealand. He’s now living a life of no attachments, free as a bird and he seems to be a little whore-ish. He can be arrogant, snarky and has a devil-may-care attitude. But there seems to be something Michael is hiding about himself.
K-9 cop, Josh Rawlins is hard nosed and very serious when it comes to his job. After all, he’s had his ups and downs in life but his number one concern is his daughter Sasha. He has a supportive sister, Katie, who’s always ready to help with Sasha. If being a single dad and a cop isn’t hard enough, he also has to deal with homophobic parents. Josh has to stay focused because he can’t afford to make anymore mistakes.
A night out at Downtown G, Michael is about to get busy, with his back to the wall, he finds himself confronted by Josh and his K-9, Paris. When the drug sweep becomes chaotic, Michael finds himself not only assisting a wounded officer but he becomes a vital witness. Being a witness doesn’t turn out so well and leaves Michael and Josh in a very difficult predicament. For two men who really rub each other the wrong way they come to an arrangement that just might change their first impressions.
For me, this is the second time reading a Jay Hogan novel and true to form, she really gives an in-depth look into her MC’s. The title of “First Impression” reflects the basis on how Michael and Josh see each other and it doesn’t look good for either. There’s many moments of self-thought and examining by both MC’s, as they deal with with major issues and demons in their lives. Even with the complex MC’s personality clashes, the author does not loose sight of a suspenseful and dangerous plot against Michael that effects all involved.
As Michael and Josh butt heads, the author brings a lot of interesting, secondary characters into the mix, that add warmth and humor to the storyline: Sasha, Katie, Cameron, Mark and especially Paris.
I’m sure there will be more to come for the “Aucland Med” series, as there’s some interesting characters to build on.
First Impressions – Jay Hogan
Auckland Med Book 1
This book by Jay Hogan is so good (like the last) I’m having a hard time writing a review that’s not just a long gushing, rambling paragraph, but it’s my job so I’m going to try!
There are a lot of my favourite things in this book:
Cops
Dogs
Doctors
Bad guys
Damaged Men
New Zealand
So it’s not a surprise that I loved it so much.
After a less than stellar first meeting at a crime scene, ER doctor Michael and K9 handler Josh find themselves in each other’s hair frequently. Josh doesn’t want to like the playboy American doctor, but he can’t deny that he does, and when it becomes clear that Michael is in danger from something he saw, Josh doesn’t hesitate (ok maybe he does at first but then he doesn’t) to help keep him safe. Michael can’t keep his eyes, or hands off the sexy officer but he definitely doesn’t want anything serious, he knows he isn’t the settling down type, but there is something about Josh that may just change his mind. When the threat against Michael puts Josh’s family in danger, he will do anything to make it right, including removing himself from the situation entirely.
First Impressions is so many things. It’s hot, sweet, heart wrenching (just a little), action filled, funny and full of love. It’s pretty damn close to perfect.
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From the start of this book I wasn’t connecting with the characters. I didn’t warm up to Michael and I didn’t get the attraction between him and Josh. I thought the suspense part of the book was lacking and I found I skimmed a lot of it. I think that the author has a lot of potential and even though I don’t connect with this story I still would try the authors other books. The writing is strong and the book is getting great reviews. This was definitely more of a case of it’s me not the book.
ARC provided by author in exchange for review
I found this book after reading the sequel, “Crossing the Touchline, and I’m so happy the re-release brought it to my attention! This book shows the deveoping relationship between Michael, a trauma doctor, and Josh, a police dog handler. First of all, Paris (the dog) is precious, and I love the relationship between Josh and his daughter, Sasha. It’s great that the book manages to be sweet and hot but also keeps the reader engaged with an absorbing plot and wonderful background characters. Both this book and its sequel have my full recommendation.
When two stubborn men meet in unforgettable circumstances, tempers and much more were meant to fly.
But, there is something more that was underlying and a beneficial arrangement was formed.
This was a compelling read about two men who have both been hurt, have issues to overcome and issues to deal with add in one pre teen who has enough sass to fill a room and then some and this going to entertain.
The characters were well developed and the plot idea was engaging, but I did find the story to drag at some points.
An enjoyable read overall.
Disliking each other upon their first interaction, Michael and Josh certainly do take first impressions to heart in this compelling and well-developed story. Consequently, there is a ton of initial animosity and refusal to acknowledge the intense physical attraction between the two. Although they eventually give in and crank up the steaminess factor to self-fanning levels, there is still an incredibly angsty slow-burn in relation to their feelings for one another. Both have baggage to work through – Michael doesn’t do commitment for a good reason, and Josh’s priorities are firmly set around not hurting his daughter. I loved the gradual build-up of trust and emotions between Michael and Josh, and the fact that neither of them could let the other go despite all of their fears. There is a fair degree of angst, and because the characters were extremely well written, I was heavily invested in the outcome. I think my eyes started blurring towards the end because I just wanted them to get their HEA. I can happily say that it does all work out, with a gorgeous epilogue that warmed my heart.
*I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was my introduction to Jay Hogan’s writing, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Enemies-to-lovers is my catnip, and so is well-written, plotty romance. Michael and Josh were both damaged in interesting ways, the secondary characters were appealing too, and the story played out to a satisfying end. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series!
My thanks to Eliza Rae Services for an advance copy of this book.
What do you get when you have a police officer and a doctor meet in an unlikely situation? A book with action banter and some steamy scenes!
The beginning of the book for me was a little confusing there seemed to be a lot going on but it seemed to get better as you’re reading on. This is an enemy to lovers who are kind of thrown together. But it seems to work for them.
This was a new to me author and i really enjoyed her writing! There were some slow parts but everything flowed nice and the main plot didn’t fall through or become forgotten while Josh and Micheal explored their relationship.
The ending felt rushed to me everything happened so fast and the Michael just left. Like what. I wish we got to see more of both men trying to find a way back to a normal life after events had happened. I really enjoyed this read and will probably read other books by this author.
Oh how I love Jay Hogans writing!!! I love everything she writes, but this was my favorite by far!!!
This book had everything, a very slow path to love, an adorable 11 year old, a police dog that stole the show, some action, smart and witty banter and dialogue and some extremely steamy scenes!!! This was the steamiest book I’ve read by her but it was so perfect for the storyline, it just worked.
Josh and Michael were a fantastic couple. Both with baggage, both pushing and pulling from what they knew they wanted, both smart, strong men. Josh’s daughter was not an afterthought, she was a well written, integral part of the story. Paris, the best damn German Shepherd ever was a scene stealer at times in the best way.
Read this book, you won’t be sorry!!! I really hope Mark’s story is in the works!
This is book one in the Auckland Med series, but I am reading this AFTER I read book two, Crossing the Touchline. This book has been re-edited and tidied up, and is a re-release. I did not read the original version, so I can’t comment on any differences there may be.
But THIS version? Was brilliant!
Michael runs into Josh at a very inopportune moment, with his trousers round his knees, and his junk on display. That Josh immediately pushes ALL of Michael’s buttons and THEN some, is irrelevant. Josh does not want a player and Michael does not want a relationship. So why can they not stay away from each other?
Michael’s reason for not wanting a relationship and Josh’s for not wanting a player in his life are made clear to us very early on, but it takes a LOT of time for them to open up to each other, and it really is painful watching them get to that point!
I mean, neither wants *this* thing between them, that much is clear, but they cannot keep apart, and the chemistry between them of off the charts but emotionally?? Neither is ready for anything. And then, the pesky emotions do their thing and both of them, separately of each other, decide that maybe, just maybe they can make this work.
Then something happens that sends them both into the unknown abyss and Michael runs clear across the world.
It took me all day to read this, because I alternatively wanted to punch both Michael AND Josh in the face, and to wrap them both up in cotton wool and love hard on them! I still don’t know which is the more dominant feeling, I really don’t! I had to keep putting the book down, to get over whichever was higher up at the time.
And trust me when I say, I rarely verbally react when READING (listening is different) and I did swear at this book a time or three at this book, I really did!
These guys have some serious chemistry, let me tell ya! I was *NOT* being sociable, and reading at the mother in law’s house and she kept asking me if I was too hot, cos my face was flushed and I had to tell her I was coming down with a cold! Along with the noises, and I think she thought I was nuts!
I can’t go into much, for spoilers, but this book twists and turns all over the place, and just when you think it’s all sorted? Boom! It goes off again!
I loved that Cam, from book 2, takes a huge part and we see a different side to him here.
Even though I know this has been edited and stuff, I would have loved the first version, I know.
Don’t know who is next, I really don’t care, so long as I can get my grubby little mitts on it!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
First thing I will say is this: Jay Hogan was a new to me author but I completely fell in love with her writing style; it’s humorous, exciting, emotional and it kept me glued to this book and left me wanting more!
The story is a beautiful enemies to lovers: both men have preconceived notions about the other, which are torn down piece by piece as they get to know each other, entering a tentative acquaintances with benefits arrangement. None of them wants more (or so they tell themselves), Josh having been burned before and wanting to protect himself and especially his daughter, while Michael is so sure he’s not, and doesn’t want to be, relationship material, that he runs scared at the first sign of commitment.
The other thing that’s so interesting is the drama/mystery plot in the background, which is what actually throws Michael and Josh together, and keeps them on their toes all throughout the book.
I am definitely diving in book 2 right now, because I loved this author’s style, and also because I need more Cam in my life (also, rugby player, yum…)
I absolutely loved it, the characters were engaging and authentic. Their emotions were so visceral and really made the storyline. All in all a very enjoyable read.
4.5 stars Michael and Josh, respectively the doctor and the cop.
They meet at a crime scene, Michael’s lower member in someone’s mouth.
Disgust is the word Josh feels for Michael, and it’s the other way around too.
They started in a bad way, they don’t like each other. But their sexual attraction is stronger than their aversion.
Josh has bad experiences with guys like Michael, as a single dad his daughter is his first priority. Michael has reasons for his behavior, and Josh will never hear about them.
They agreed that just, for the time being, they could have fun… just for the time being.
So they have fun, A LOT.
Both men are dirty-mouthed and very physical. What started as a horny fest for both, gets fast into something deeper. But both stubborn men are in denial.
Michael as a witness at a crime scene gets in danger. A nice addition to this story.
There is a lot of sexiness in this read and all delicious. After getting to know these guys outside the bedroom my heart broke at times. They both have a story to tell.
A fast-paced, dirty-mouthed story. With a lot of heavy emotions and a lot of sexual activity. The plot was well done. Josh’s daughter Sasha, his dog Paris, the family and business matters and the bit of angst were nicely woven into the story. I loved the strong attraction, I loved it both men had strong personalities and were hard-headed and sexy af. The end was very satisfying!
Josh is a devoted father to his daughter and his K9 Shepard is his family also. He doesn’t want a relationship but he wouldn’t mind a one night stand.
Michael is a devoted doctor. When he is accidentally caught in a police operation, he meets Josh, and it’s definitely not love at first sight.
When Michael is in danger, Josh feels he has to help him and even though they don’t like each other they are still attracted. When their chemistry explodes they rationalize away the feelings that are developing between them. They certainly can’t have forever but they can have right now. Until reality slaps them and a decision is made that changes everything.
I’m a fan of enemies to lover so this story sat well with me. Nicely written, with hot sweet men. Paris the dog and Sasha, Josh’s daughter, were strong characters also, making the family aspect a stronger part of the book.
Some heavy homophobia from Josh’s parents and a subplot involving Michael’s life being in danger added quite a bit of drama to the story. I’d certainly recommend reading this book.