First Impressions

Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5

Why did I wait so long to read this?

I’m still pretty new to Jay Hogan’s books and I actually read book four in the Auckland Med series, Against the Grain, before reading the other books in the series. That book worked just fine as a standalone but I’m so glad that I’ve now gone back and started at the beginning of the series.

I love Gary Furlong’s audio performances and that’s partly what prompted me to start the series from the beginning. The other thing that got my butt in gear is the upcoming book, You Are Cordially Invited, which releases on June 17, 2021.

I love listening to Gary’s voice; he does a fantastic job with the different accents (at least to my American ear) and the different character voices are easy to distinguish from each other.

Jay Hogan knows just how to break me and put me back together again. Both Michael and Josh have had a rough time. Michael turned to alcohol and Josh swore off relationships. Besides this being a slightly angsty love story, it’s also suspenseful and kept me up way too late. Since I couldn’t finish it before I had to sleep, I started it again as soon as I woke up and didn’t stop until I’d finished it.

There are some pretty tense moments at more than one place in the story but I knew that it would all work out in the end. I’m going to jump right into book two next.

This book gets the thumbs up from me. Great characters, hot doctors, sexy cops, and a New Zealand setting!

If you are looking for an enemies to lovers with a lot of action and craziness going on, look no further. There was a lot going on in this book, and some was predictably hard to grasp, as it was difficult to get your head around this happening. I did really enjoy it though, and the relationship and character growth throughout was spot on. Also, the fact that Greg Furlong was on this narration made it that much better. You have Michael, the American doctor who is in NZ for a brief period who finds himself in quite a bad place when he meets Josh, the dog handler (K9 detective). Josh immediately takes a dislike to Michael, as he has previous bad experiences with his “type.” So, of course this means Michael wants to pursue him even harder; however, he really doesn’t, so that was actually quite refreshing. They do meet up again because a bunch of crazy stuff happens to Michael, and that is when the friends with benefits starts up for really frenemies with benefits. And of course it turns to more, but it well done. Then there is the inevitable breakup and makeup, but all in all I really enjoyed the storyline with the MCs and all the side characters. What I did not love was all attacks on Michael, as it just was a bit much. Overall a great read, and I cannot wait to continue on with the rest of this series.

The first novel in Jay Hogan’s Auckland Med series, First Impressions is now available as an audiobook. Beautifully performed by Gary Furlong, the whole experience of this story is enhanced by his spectacular narration, and makes First Impressions a highly enjoyable listening experience.

First Impressions is a fast moving thriller, with a good dose of dry humor, and creative, interesting characters. I enjoyed the mystery, but this novel is really about the romance. Two uber macho guys, both in need of some serious self-healing, gradually break each other’s walls down, and navigate through the choppy waters of a relationship.

In my opinion, enemies to lovers is one of the hardest tropes to write convincingly, and Jay Hogan totally nails this one. These are authentic and wonderfully developed characters. Their raucous humor, domineering posturing, and masculine blustering are wildly entertaining. And the peeks of insecurity they both show are refreshingly realistic. From the first moments these two men entertain changes in their relationship, it works for me.

Thankfully Jay Hogan doesn’t make us wait too long till they get between the sheets, because the sex scenes are fantastic! What starts as super raw and smoking hot sex gradually blurs as these two alpha men explore elements of dominance and submission. The intimacy they share as they each take turns bottoming for the first time in ages, opens up new facets of their relationship.

Gary Furlong’s sexy, sassy spin on these characters absolutely makes the most of this novel! He understands these complex men, and capitalizes on the chemistry between them. From the animosity which develops in the opening scene, through their grudging acceptance of a friendship, and the eventual explosion which happens between the sheets, Mr. Furlong clearly gets what Jay Hogan is going for in these guys.

Gary Furlong is brilliant with his voices, and I’ve never heard him do a Kiwi accent before. Of course, it’s wonderful! Josh and his mates have a ton of personality, and their banter is classic. Mr. Furlong really brings these New Zealanders to life.

I’ve heard that an American accent can be very difficult to do well. The way Gary Furlong flows between Michael’s flat Southern California twang and the rich, round tones of the natives is truly impressive. Plus, he adds in fascinating inflections, makes the most of emotions, and keeps the story rolling forward at the fast pace which Jay Hogan sets.

There’s a great deal of action going on throughout First Impressions. In addition to the gripping mystery, we get to know Josh and Michael’s stories. Josh has drama with his family and friends, and Michael works to make a new life for himself in Auckland. The supporting cast is interesting, and I’m glad we’re getting Cameron’s story next in Crossing the Touchline. I’ve got my fingers crossed Jay Hogan plans to take advantage of Gary Furlong’s superlative skills and bring the whole Auckland Med series to audio.

A love story that wouldn’t have happened without the interference of friends.

Both Michael and Josh couldn’t think about, not even hope for, a relationship, they both avoided any possibility of that ever happening, and that was before they met. They both had baggage, Michael thought he was broken, all Josh can think about is looking after his daughter. People with problems can understand other people with problems, and two difficult people, who dislike each a lot from their first awkward meeting, in what turns into a possibly deadly situation, end up unable to operate without each other. A beautifully written love story with all the missteps people take by not talking about stuff when they should, plus the addition of a murderous criminal trying to silence Michael make this a real page turner.

Love, love, love this series by Jay Hogan. Up, Close and Personal is the latest addition to the Auckland Med series and this one didn’t disappoint. This one so far my favorite because it’s told from both characters’ points of view. Edward and Mark don’t like each other but they are attracted to each other. Mark is somewhat of a player and Edward is looking for a committed relationship. The book is mysterious, romantic, some very intense moments, and a lot of action. Tink is hilarious and loves his and Mark’s interaction and how everyone reacts when they see him. I’m hoping there is more of this series.

I love the opening description. It pulled me right in and hooked me from the beginning. Although I’ve read this story after the next one in the series, reading out of order didn’t detract from my reading enjoyment. In fact, it was the opposite as I’d wanted to read Michael and Josh’s story, and I also loved seeing Cam in this story and was very happy that he has a decent sized role. He’s just as fabulous as he is in Crossing the Touchline.

An added bonus for me is that this story is set in New Zealand. I always get a kick out of Kiwi references in stories.

I loved the characters. Michael and Josh are both easy to relate to, and I became invested in their story very quickly. I liked how, although the physical attraction between them is instant, they both fight their feelings, and that it does take a while for them to build a relationship and friendship. I also liked how Josh’s daughter comes first in his life, and how his actions reflect that. I thought the misunderstandings were well written, and came across realistically rather than as a plot device.

The supporting cast add to the story, and besides Cam, I loved Josh’s sister, Katie, and his daughter Sasha. Their relationships with Michael and Josh feel very real. Paris needs a special mention too, and I loved Scout. I liked that Michael and Josh’s previous relationships ended for different reasons, and that Michael’s ex is a good guy. I’d like to read his story. Ditto for Mark, Josh’s friend at work. On the flip side, Josh is definitely better off without his ex boyfriend, although I did like the progression of the storyline with Sasha’s mother.

I thought Michael’s PTSD after losing a patient felt very realistic, as did his turning to alcohol in an attempt to drown out the memories and nightmares. I also thought the homophobia in the story was handled well.

I enjoyed the suspense side of the plot, and how that unfolds. The action scenes are well written, and in the moment. The author does a great job in ramping up the tension and plans for an early night dissolved quickly as I had to keep reading the find out what happened next.

I found the ending very satisfying, and sweet. It made me happy. I hope to see more of these guys in future and catch up with them further on in their life together.

I’d recommend this story to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a good dollop of suspense and action, realistic characters, and a plot that keeps you turning pages.

3.5 Stars for The Cop and his doctor

Michael is an emergency doctor in Auckland. He’s in NZ for two years, and wants to make his time there as pleasurable as possible. While cruising in a gay club, Michael ends up in the middle of a police intervention where he meets the hot cop, Josh.
Josh is a gay single dad and a cop, and he has no time for a player like Michael. Not. AT. ALL. But when Michael’s life is in danger, Josh stands up and takes the matter in hand to keep him safe.
First Impressions by Jay Hogan is book 1 in the Auckland Medical series. I liked this book.

Michael is an American doctor who came to New Zealand in an exchange medical program. It was the best thing for Michael, who had been having difficult moments in California. He refused to do relationships, refused to be tied to someone, and he just wants to enjoy his life with his hook-ups. Michael didn’t expect Josh, and worse, didn’t expect to get attached to him.
Josh is a cop and a single dad. Sasha is his life, and he wants to build a family for her, with a partner for life. Josh didn’t do hook-ups and avoided the players like Michael. The fact that Michael pushed all his buttons complicated things for him, until they both decide to try to see where things can go.

I loved them. They both want the same things but didn’t know how to express it. They were both on the same page but refused to admit it until it was too late. I loved them, but sometimes I wanted to beat them. Seriously, they were two grown-up men, but they acted like two teenagers. They pissed me off sometimes, but not all the time, most of time, I was laughing with them and their bantering.

The story was good, but a little bit too long and repetitive, in my opinion. I felt like I was going around in my reading at times, but mostly the story was good, and the end was super good with a twist I didn’t see coming that put some good action into the plot.

It’s a good start for this new series, and I will definitely read the next one.

I loved this cover, it caught my eye and it’s one of the reasons I signed up to read and review it. The blurb and premise for the story intrigued me. Dominant males clashing, lust at first sight, fighting each other and their feelings for one another, reluctant lovers that find something deeper has been building between them. I love those dynamics. Lust wins almost immediately but it takes time to warm to the idea of something more, especially with Josh’s daughter in the mix. This book is packed full of painful emotions and damages from their pasts. But it’s also dramatic, humorous, and always sexy. I will definitely be picking up book 2 as soon as I can!

I read this series of standalones out of order, starting with book 2, Crossing the Touchline. Since I enjoyed that story, I jumped at the chance to read the rerelease and slightly revised First Impressions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well, especially how it tied in some suspense and sexiness, with a good opposites attract romance featuring a single father.

The premise behind First Impressions was interesting. I liked how Michael and Josh first meet at the club and how that night pulled the two together unexpectedly. I also really liked the backstory with Michael working temporarily in New Zealand because it gave his and Josh’s relationship ample time to develop and solidify, while retaining that temporary or expiration date feel. I was very happy Josh being a single father played a significant role in the story rather than just being a character trait that didn’t influence the storyline. Overall, First Impressions delivered a very good story boasting great characters, a sexy romance, and an interesting plotline. The writing was smooth with great dialogue and good pacing that kept me engaged with the story.

*Reviewed for Eliza Rae Services and Alpha Book Club*