Pinot & Pineapple Lumps

Southern Lights #4

by Jay Hogan

Penn from Adelaide. That’s all I knew.

We shared a single kiss over a year ago, and I can still remember every toe-curling second of it. He thought I was too young for him. I thought he was running scared. But that kiss was the first time I’d felt alive in a long time, and I’ve been chasing the feeling ever since—doing my research, a lot of research, a lot of men. Something my protective older brother isn’t too happy about.

I’ve been through more than most guys my age, and I still bear the scars. My head’s not always my best friend, but I’m building a life, PTSD be damned. I can’t turn back the clock, and I’m not sure I want to.

Except maybe to that moment when Penn kissed me. I mean, the odds of us ever meeting again were slim to none, right?

Yeah, about that.

But this time I’m ready. I’m a year older, an ocean of therapy wiser, and I know exactly what I want.


Possible Triggers: One of the main characters in this book lives with PTSD as a result of a fire and within the story there are flashbacks and descriptions of triggering events. There are also themes of loss and grief.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Audiobook, Gay, Queer

334 pages, ebook

First published March 18, 2021

About the author

Heart, humour and keeping it real.

I am a two times Lambda Literary Award Finalist—2020 for DIGGING DEEP and 2024 for THE ART OF HUSBANDRY.
I have also received the The Romance Writers of New Zealand 2021 Romance Book of The Year Award for OFF BALANCE.
I am a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense primarily set in my home country. I write character driven romances with lots of humour, a good dose of reality, and a splash of angst. I’ve travelled extensively, lived in many countries, and in a past life I worked as a critical care nurse and a counsellor. My family love and somehow put up with me, and my gorgeous Cocker Spaniel thinks I spend too much time at my desk but keeps my feet warm.

Join my reader group to keep up with my news.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hogan...

You can also find me at:
https://www.jayhoganauthor.com where you can buy my audiobooks direct at a discount.

https://www.facebook.com/JayHoganAuthor

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

Pinot & Pineapple Lumps was the angsty, emotional installment in the Southern Lights series that I was craving. While sometimes Jay Hogan can insert too many mystery elements or make her books a little lengthy for my tastes, Pinot & Pineapple Lumps struck exactly the right note.

I've been waiting for Kurt's story for a very long time, and I'm thrilled that Jay Hogan wrote such a wonderful book for him. However, I highly recommend that you read this series in order. I actually had to take a moment to remind myself who all of the characters were because we are just thrown into the thick of the story and there is no time to catch up. But once I remembered, I was golden.

Kurt was such a lovely, well-developed character. Jay Hogan really made him more than just a tragic figure, and she made him feel strong yet vulnerable at the same time. He was a great match with Penn, and I loved how their chemistry was so strong that they couldn't fight it once they got entangled with each other.

Penn also had a lot on his plate, but he grew and changed organically with the story. I really liked that he wasn't just a prop to show Kurt's development, and that Penn had his own issues and depth as well.

My favorite part of the story was that there was drama, but there wasn't any unnecessary drama. It wouldn't be a Jay Hogan story without some plot twists that put characters into intense predicaments, but I loved how none of the drama stemmed from miscommunications or "I'm going to break up with you because I know what's best for you"-reasons.

While the pacing didn't always keep me glued to the story, it was still one of Jay Hogan's strongest works to date. It made me want a nice, big glass of wine, and to enjoy my loved ones while I have them around me. A very big win for this author, and the best book in a very strong series.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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[Florence . · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ‘’you’re the best thing in my life’’ stars

I would like to start by mentioning that when I asked my friend Ayanna what I should write for this review, she told me to say “it made me feel and fucked up my day. Thanks Jay!” and that pretty much describes all of my feelings about this book haha

Warning, this will probably be very long, I have a lot of very strong feelings about this book.



“I wish I could snap my fingers and give you what you want, but as much as you want that other Kurt back, this Kurt is the only one I’ve ever known, and he is more than enough for me. In fact, he’s every fucking thing, and I can’t imagine that other version of you being better than this one. It’s not possible, because this one knowns a whole lot more about himself, and I wouldn’t change those parts of you for anything”

I was so excited for this book, not only do I adore Jay Hogan and have read most of her books, I also adore this series and have been waiting for Kurt’s book ever since we met him in book one. And this turned out to be everything I wanted it to be and much much more. I pretty much knew I would enjoy this book but I never expected it to be this good or to affect me this much. It far exceeded my expectations that were damn high to begin with.

This book kind of took over my life for a bit. I’m in university and don’t really have free time and finding the time to read a book that is over 300 pages is kind of a project in itself and I had to sacrifice a couple of hours of sleep to read this book. But I don’t regret any of it. I didn’t expect this book to hit me this hard, it absolutely shatered me. I finished it really late last night and I was a wreck all day because of it and my eyes hurt because I cried too much while reading.



Brief summary: Kurt is 20 years old and is trying to take back his life after being in a fire two years ago and he has PTSD because of what happened to him. Penn is 30 years old, he came back to Queenstown to take care of his dad who’s dying of cancer and to take care of the family’s vineyard. They met a year before that, where they shared one kiss and then parted ways. They meet again and they fall in love and have to brave a lot of things to get their happy ever after.

First, I really really loved that first scene where they met for the first time, it felt so magical. It’s one of the best meet cute I have ever read, I adored it very much.

Second, I’m a sucker for a book that has a good vibe and the vibe in this one was immaculate. There is a lot of very hard subjects that are talked about, and there is a lot of angst, but the book still had a really calm atmosphere to it. Everything felt really peaceful. I really loved the wibe of the vineyard, it also was really nicely described and I felt like I was there too. Also I loved how the peaceful vibe of the book balanced the harder topics, it was really well done. I feel like it was a much needed balance, it made the book easier to read and much more enjoyable for me. Also, as always, how Jay Hogan describes things is just perfect. All of her descriptions are so vivid, I just feel like i’m there with them. Also special mention to the southern lights, that always helps a book’s vibe!



Third, I absolutely adored how their relationship evolved. I loved how it was awkward between them at first and they didn’t really know how to act. I loved how they always took the time to get to know each other. I loved how they would talk about everything. I loved how you could see them form a connection. All of their dates were so cute, I loved them too. The relationship progression just felt so real to me. I adored it. I loved how it was awkward at first and then they got to know each other and then they started to fall for the other. I loved seeing them get more and more comfortable with the other as the days went by. It was paced perfectly.

Fourth, I absolutely adored both Penn and Kurt. God did I love Kurt. I loved how he was a little lost but he was doing everything in his power to find his way. I loved how he was a little lost and he sometimes did things he didn’t know why he did them, it made him feel so real. Kurt is such a strong character. I loved how he saw life and how he went through his day. I loved how he knew what he wants and wasn’t afraid to go for it. Also, he was so genuine, so sweet and so eager about everything and it was the sweetest thing to witness. I just loved him so much. And Penn, god did I love Penn. I loved how his issues were clear and well explained and it made him feel like an actual human being, he felt so real. I loved how he was such a rock for Kurt but he was lost too. I loved how he had to figure out what he wants to do with his life and seeing him deal with his father that was dying just shatered me. I felt for Penn, but he was such a strong character. And these two together? God they were perfect. They were such a good foil for the other. And they were so so good to the other. I loved how they pushed the other to do things they wouldn’t normally do. I loved how always did everything they could to make the other happy and feel better. They always supported each other. I loved how Penn was always there for Kurt when Kurt needed him and how Kurt was always there for Penn when Penn needed him. Massive bonus points to how they talked about anything and they didn’t hide anything from each other. I fucking loved their talks and how they talked about everything, there was no subject they wouldn’t talk about. I loved their communication. One scene that comes to mind and that I fucking adored is when they were talking about Kurt’s ptsd and Penn asked him what he needs when he’s having a bad day. I loved how thoughtful Penn was and how he wanted to take care of Kurt but he made sure to do it on Kurt’s terms. I also loved how Penn was so good to kurt and never judged him, he supported Kurt through everything. I loved how he never made kurt feel ashamed of his fear and his PTSD. I loved how he made sure that Kurt would always be comfortable around him. Also, I loved how they talked about everything and how they gave the other their opinion without fear, even if it wasn’t something the other wanted to hear, it was very refreshing to read about. Also, Penn was a fucking saint and he was patient with Kurt and I adored him for it. I just really adored these two together and loved how you could feel how much they love each other, it was so clear in all of their actions.

Fifth, in these kinds of books, you almost always get the phase where one pushes the other away or where they refuse to comit or open up or communicate. But none of that happened here and I absolutely loved it. I loved how they didn’t push the other away and didn’t try to keep away. Penn was likely to move out of town because he didn’t live there and they still never did any pulling away or hidding feelings. I also loved how they made plans together and didn’t assume their relationship would randomly end. Also the communication in this was perfect. I loved how they talked about their problems and worked on fixing them together. Also, special mention to this book for not having a break up at 80%, thank you very much for that, I really appreciated it. It’s magical how we can avoid a break up when people talk to each other, who knew?

Sixth, I spend the last 15% of this book crying my eyes out, the entire time. The way the entire build up of the book was done and how it all wraped up in the end was so well done. It hit me really hard. I loved everything about how this book wraped up. The story progession was so good and everything was wraped up in a way that was satisfying and made sense and fit the story really well. Also I absolutely adored the epilogue and it made me really happy. It was the perfect way to wrap up the book.

Seventh, I absolutely adored how Kurt’s PTSD was shown. Everything about it felt so real. From how kurt was kind of in denial about it and how he didn’t want to accept it sometimes and how he wished he didn’t have it and how he still struggled. Also the flashbacks, damn did they feel real. Also I loved how he had his breathing techniques to calm him down. I really adored how all the different ways his PTSD affects him were shown. I also loved how it didn’t just magically go away because he fell in love, that happens way too often for my liking. I loved how he Kurt keep working on feeling better and how Penn and Kurt talked about what they have to do when Kurt has a bad day. The way Kurt’s PTSD was shown in this book felt so real and I really really loved being in his head and reading about his reactions and how he delt with them.

Honoroable mention to a couple more things: I absolutely adored the humour in this, their banter was absolutely brillant. And I loved how much Kurt teased Penn about his age, it was so good. Also the sex scenes were really fucking hot and they complimented the rest of the story very well.

Also I would like to mention that I didn’t really like Ethan (Kurt’s brother) in his book, Powder & Pavlova and I also didn’t like him here. We were meant to see him as being protective but he just really annoyed me. He was really controlling and not that helpful.

This book was such a trip and I absolutely adored every second of it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest opinion

[Pauline]

Oh man, I’m so sad about this dnf. I was looking forward to this book since the beginning of the series but I just can’t.

In case some people have the same hang-ups as me:
The reason for my dnf is that there’s a parent slowly wasting away from cancer. And as the author of this book is/was a critical care nurse, it’s portrayed incredibly authentically on page. Something I’m just not equipped to handle 😔

If you don't struggle with this like I do, the book is absolutely worth checking out for the two MCs and the beautiful setting alone. And the narrator was brilliant!

Huge, HUGE thanks so Sarah who went back and checked for me when the dad actually dies and how much of the process leading up to the death is on page and therefore giving me the context I needed to decide to dnf and not put myself through it.
I appreciate it and you so much, you saved me from an anxiety spiral I’m pretty sure 🥹💖

PS: I really wish those kinds of things would be put in the tw in the beginning of the book, because this way I was so blindsided by it and also wasted an audible credit 😢

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars upgraded to 5 stars on a second read.

Reread November 2024
I thought book 3 was my favourite in this series, but I have to admit that after a reread book 4 clinches that title for me. I had tears in my eyes. I loved the playfulness/heat/desire between Kurt and Penn. I loved their romance where honesty and talking are a priority. I loved how Kurt's issues are tackled and how things are resolved in the end. A really lovely romance and wonderful end to this very enjoyable series.

original review

Loved the latest addition to this series I've thoroughly enjoyed so far.
Here we get excellent banter (love how creative the author is, particularly with age related jokes!), a nice dose of angst without going overboard and MCs I found really endearing.

What I loved most though (apart from Penn’s beautifully described hairy chest! 😉) was how Jay Hogan deals with the ‘age gap’ between the two men. 10 years in itself isn’t that much, but Kurt is only 20 and that makes a difference – at least, that how Penn sees it (we know he’s mainly making excuses because he fancies Kurt too much!)

For me, this book has the perfect balance:

>) a lovely, heart-warming romance with a sensible storyline and lots of chuckles,
>) a good amount of heat with a touch of playful kink,
>) some serious issues addressed for both men, particularly for Kurt who's been through so much
>) some good friends and family from previous books revisited.
>)New Zealand! Yeah! Gorgeous! Those descriptions will never get old.
.) And last but not least, a cantankerous old man who I still found difficult to like by the end.

And not to forget – the titles of the books in this series are simply fab!

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book in this series has not only brought something uniquely Kiwi to the table, they've also depicted some of the myriad of ways people meet and fall in love.

This book is even more special, because it's Kurt's story. He's been an integral part of the series since the start and he's been through things no-one should have to live with.

So I've been invested in his happy ever after for quite some time and, in Penn, he finds not only his perfect partner but someone he can be a strength and a support for.

Kurt's empathy and his strength and determination to gain control back of his life are never treated lightly.

He doesn't fall in love and his PTSD suddenly vanish. Jay treats his mental health with the same respect she always treats any medical issue, with understanding and sympathy and a thoroughly believable lived experience.

I can't properly articulate how much I loved this book. The sense of place is so strong, I could hear the rumble of the glacial river running through Penn's family vineyard.

The smells of the winery and the tang of the tannin are vividly expressed and I loved all the characters associated with them.

Yes, even Penn's dying father. Otis is such a complex man, his pride waring with his stubbornness, his fears and his worries. I wanted to hug him almost as much as I wanted to yell at him for being an arse.

There are so many outstanding moments in the narrative that if I outlined everything I loved, this review would be almost as long as the book.

It really is exceptional and Kurt and Penn's love is a truly beautiful thing to witness, they fight hard for it and and you just know it's meant to be.

Oh, and they're off the charts hot and I'll leave the rest for you all to discover 😉

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread/Relisten March 2024:

Because sometimes you just want to pop back in to this New Zealand town and see all the guys again!

My original ratings still stands.

Original Read/Listen December 2023:

Audio: 5 stars Gary Furlong never disappoints! Audio can be found on Everand (Scribd)
Book: 4-4.5 stars

Kurt my sweet Kurt, I couldn’t wait to read your story and it didn’t disappoint… I mean there were a few hair pulling moments like:
-Ethan, you wouldn’t listen to Kurt….
-Otis, you were a turd.. hard to decide if I forgive you.
-When Kurt decided not to talk it out with Penn and kinda pull back for a hot second,

But other than that I loved this book haha!

Jay Hogan and Gary Furlong are a match made in heaven! I always look forward to the next audio that will come out!

[Kazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Kurt, Ethan's younger brother from Powder & Pavlova, gets one of the MC roles and deals with his trauma, missing his mother, and finding a sexy, just as he likes them, older man.

This book has heart, some emotions, deals with death and trauma, and also manages to be fun and sweet at the same time.

Nice contemporary gay romance in a beautiful setting in New Zealand.

More of my thoughts here-

[Liya · Rating 4 out of 5]

~4-4.5
Engaging story beautifully dealing with some hard topics - PTSD and loss.
I absolutely loved Kurt - he was through so much and came out stronger on the other side. There are things that might never be the same for him but he does his best to build a fulfilling life. Kurt is intelligent, talented, optimistic despite everything and his snarky remarks made me smile every time.
Penn is solid and grounded but goes through a difficult period in his life. He is on a crossroad and there are decisions and choices to be made.
The two met and shared a kiss before going their separate ways. They meet again a year later and while attraction is still there it takes time to act on it. One of the reasons being the age difference (10 years). I was impressed by how Kurt handled it and proved his inner maturity. Relationships development was organic and my favorite part of the book. Connection between Kurt and Penn both in bed and out of it was palable, falling in love believable and accompanied by some hot sexy times.
The book felt a bit dragged in the 2nd half and a storyline with the 2nd fire felt a bit over the top. Same results could be achieved with less drama. Nevertheless it all worked out for the best at the end and undoubtful HEA was there for Kurt and Penn. I loved them together and thoroughly enjoyed their journey to happiness.
This was my first book from this author and I will definitely read more. Can be read as stand-alone, enough background was given to understand the relationships between various characters but it never took over the main storyline.

[BevS · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧🎧🎧 Audio Review 🎧🎧🎧

Terrific stuff from Gary Furlong. Super emotional when needed, a joy to listen to.



📚📚📚 Book Review 📚📚📚

5 heartwarming stars from me. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 Another outstanding read from Jay. She really does know how to get you right in the feels, and this was such a special story cos it was hopefully Kurt's turn to get a HEA [whom you will know all about of course if you've been following this series]. I put this one on my 2021 Best Reads shelf after I was about 10% in...what else can I do with Jay's reads 😁? This was a story chock full of love and its healing properties; not just between 2 men but familial love too...even if a certain cantankerous and stubborn old git was as difficult as they come and didn't always deserve it. Of course, as anyone who knows me will testify, NZ wine is my fave in all the world and I loved reading about the vineyard and its wines [although maybe the Rising River wines would be more to my taste...sorry, not sorry Otis]. I also want to know where *I* can get some pineapple lumps from 😉...they sound amazing [can't get to NZ at the moment obvs 🥺].

I'm not going to go into any more detail. Ethan and Tanner featured quite strongly as you would expect, and we had little cameos from Stef and Cass and Adrian and Niall too.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Kurt's character since book one of this series - I got so emotionally attached to him very quickly and I'll definitely fight against anyone who doesn't like him! It made me so, so happy to see him get his own HEA and to see him working through his trauma and learning to cope with his PTSD.

Ethan irritated me soooo much in this book though! I was totally on Kurt's side and shouting at him to back the fuck off a bit. The way Ethan acts like he was a bloody saint at Kurt's age and not off shagging his way around the world was hilarious! When Kurt put him in his place though I was like a little cheerleader, complete with pompoms 😂😂

Penn was too funny as well, the whole age difference had me laughing and the banter between them was top tier. Kurt has the best sassy responses and I love quick-witted characters so much.

The vineyard also made me curious about wine again but I'm sure it'll pass - I am that person who thinks all wine tastes the same (like gone off vinegar) but every now and then I want to try it again! Although I do think Penn would be horrified that I have to dilute mine heavily with lemonade 😂😂😂 don't even get me started on how rank I think red wine is though unless it's in a sauce!

Sad to say goodbye to these guys!

[Ele]

*3.5 stars*

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a wonderful story of working through PTSD and dealing with difficult families. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job for both MCs! I have not read the others in the series and besides a little bit of background info I don’t feel like I really missed anything. There were enough inner thoughts and flashbacks to figure out what I missed.

Kurt was a fantastic character and my heart hurt for him with everything that he has gone through. I loved seeing him work hard to live his life for himself. He went through an incredible journey. Penn was such an amazing support for him and I loved that even though Kurt was going through a rough time he was able to be there and support Penn through his family issues as well!

Their HEA was perfect for them and I couldn’t have been happier. If you enjoy this author, whether you’ve read the rest of this series or not I absolutely recommend this story and audio! Hope you love it as much as I do!

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this an A- at AAR, so 4.5 stars

Pinot and Pineapple Lumps, the fourth book in Jay Hogan’s  Southern Lights  series, is a deeply emotional story about dealing with loss, healing from trauma, and fighting to be what and who you are, and for what you want. One of the protagonists is Kurt Sharpe, brother of Ethan from Powder & Pavlova(book one in the series) and while I wouldn’t say it’s essential to have read that book before this one, I’d advise it, as it will enable readers to get a firmer handle on the complicated relationship between the brothers and a more detailed look at their backstory.
There are spoilers for previous books in the series in this review.

At the end of the previous book in the series, Flat Whites & Chocolate Fish, Kurt was badly burned in a fire on the premises of the café and coffee roasting business Ethan part-owns.  When we meet him again in this book, he’s living with PTSD as a result of the fire (and the attack that preceded it), and even though it happened well over a year earlier, Ethan still tends to treat him with kid gloves – which isn’t what nineteen-year-old Kurt wants at all. He knows he’s a different person now; before the fire he’d been planning a future and having fun, enjoying his design course at college and hanging out with friends, but now… those friends have fallen by the wayside, either because they didn’t know what to say or because Kurt didn’t feel like he fit in any more and just stopped responding to their texts.  And he’s tired and afraid – tired of Ethan treating him like he’s going to break, and afraid of becoming someone even he doesn’t recognise.

He’s attending a friend’s wedding at a gorgeous Otago vineyard and has stepped out for some air when he meets a guy who introduces himself as Penn.  They strike up a casual, slightly flirtatious conversation – and for the first time in over a year, Kurt realises he’s feeling the pull of attraction.  During this conversation, Penn explains that he now lives in Australia and is only home for a visit – but before they part, they share a passionate kiss which brings Kurt’s libido roaring back to life;  here, if only fleetingly, is someone who wants him for who he is now, someone who knows nothing about his past and who is treating him like an adult.  It’s been such a long time since Kurt has felt – well, anything,and it feels nothing short of miraculous.

A year later, Penn Cunningham has returned home from his life and job in Adelaide because his father is dying, and although they don’t see eye to eye, Penn knows he needs to be there to help run the winery and do his best to make sure everything is in order.  Otis Cunningham doesn’t make it easy, though.  He’s always been overbearing and his insistence that things be done his way and his way only is what drove Penn so far away and kept him there, despite the fact that the land is in his bones and wine making is his passion. But his interests always lay in a different direction to his father’s and Otis’ point-blank refusal to allow Penn the freedom to pursue them caused a rift that seems only to have widened with time.

Kurt is six months away from finishing his design degree but is also starting to make a name for himself off the back of the graphic design work he’s done for Ethan’s company.  He’s surprised when he gets a call asking him to visit the Cunningham winery to discuss a rebranding project – and nervous, too, because Cunningham’s is big league stuff – but not as surprised as he is when he arrives at the winery to find himself face to face with Penn, who is every bit as drop dead gorgeous as he remembers.

After some initial awkwardness – caused mostly by Penn’s attempts to apologise for not having realised that Kurt was “a kid” that night and Kurt firmly shooting him down – they start discussing business and discover that their ideas for the redesign mesh really well.  Despite Penn’s attempts at denial, both men know that the powerful attraction they’d felt back that night beneath the Southern Lights is still there and getting stronger, and that it’s not going to go away.  Kurt makes his interest in Penn plain, but Penn holds back, mostly because he thinks Kurt is too young.  But the more Penn sees of Kurt, the more he likes him; he’s young, yes, but he’s also clever, funny and direct, his life experiences have matured him more than other guys his age, and made him so much stronger and resilient than he gives himself credit for.  It takes Penn a while to realise that his issue with Kurt’s age – which isn’t so much that Penn is a decade older as it is that Kurt is only twenty – is baseless, but once he finally allows himself to see Kurt as a man and not a number, they begin to explore their intense mutual attraction and their romance takes off, evolving naturally from the friendship and understanding they’ve already begun building together.  I loved that they were so open and honest with each other about their problems and what they wanted from life, and I adored the thought they put into their relationship.

The main point of conflict is that Penn is likely to return to Adelaide after his father dies, and Kurt is reluctant to put his heart on the line for someone who might not stick around.  It’s clear from the start that Penn is torn; he loves the land and he loves making wine, but that love is tangled up in his conflicted feelings about his father – made worse by the conditions Otis is threatening to impose as part of his will, an attempt to control Penn from beyond the grave.  Even when Kurt calls him on it and asks Penn if he’s pushing back simply because it’s become his default position, it’s hard for Penn to admit what he really wants, especially after Otis does something unforgiveable late in the story.

Kurt and Penn are wonderfully complex, likeable and beautifully drawn. Kurt has been through a life-changing experience he’s still processing and learning to live with, and I really appreciated the way the author shows his journey toward healing, aided by the love and support of those around him.  He’s superbly written;  I liked his self-awareness , his strength and his determination to get his life back – he’s a survivor and never a victim, a force of nature who knows what he wants and goes for it, and I loved the way he asserts himself when Ethan – with the very best of intentions – gets a bit smothering.  Penn is perhaps cast a little into shadow because Kurt is so larger-than-life, but he’s equally engaging and his issues are just as compelling and well handled.  I have to mention Otis, too – a cantankerous and, frankly, not particularly nice individual, it would have been easy to make him into a two-dimensional villain, but Jay Hogan skilfully avoids that trap and makes him into a nuanced, deeply flawed human being who, despite some of the things he does, elicits a degree of sympathy when all’s said and done.

Pinot and Pineapple Lumps is a beautifully put-together hurt/comfort story that tackles some difficult issues in a respectful and understanding way.  The New Zealand settings are so vividly described I could almost hear the rushing of the glacial river through the vineyard and see the mountains beyond, the romance is heartfelt and the HEA hard-won and well deserved.  Jay Hogan has been a ‘must read’ author for me for some time now, and with this book, she continues to show herself to be one of the best writers of contemporary m/m romance around.

[Asia · Rating 5 out of 5]

chyba się rozpłaczę. bo to koniec! nie ma już nic dalej! a chciałabym wiedzieć, jak jasna cholera, co będzie z nimi dalej? na pewno dobrze, ale kochana autorko, może jakiś dodatek świąteczny? :D uwielbiam obyczajówki, uwielbiam obyczajówki z pazurem. ta cała seria... w pierwszej dziesiątce, jak nie piątce moich BFF. na zawsze. Panie Buku Drzewiasty jak to dobrze, że do książek można w nieskończoność wracać!

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't ask me to choose my favorite couple between Kurt/Penn and Stef/Cass because I just can't do it. Stef and Cass were beautiful together, but the hurt/comfort between Kurt and Penn made me feel all of the things. My goodness, Jay Hogan knows her way around a romance novel. The pacing is absolute perfection. There is always a wonderful blend of sexy and tender moments. Her books never give me whiplash. Even if the relationship moves quickly, I always feel as though it has had time to breathe and grow into something special. And did I mention all of the kissing? I think the tactile nature of the characters is probably what I love the most. A kiss on a palm, a hand on a thigh, a thumb tracing lips, cheeks, eyebrows, the make-out sessions that don't lead to sex. I love it all. I'm not tactile by nature, so I'm enthralled by people who are, as long as they're not touching me. Maybe that's why I read books.

I loved how Kurt's PTSD was handled. Finding Penn didn't fix him. Falling in love didn't either. Bandaids don't cure wounds, they just protect them while they heal. Kurt was still healing while having to acknowledge that the person he used to be may be gone forever. It was a sobering reminder of how much power our minds have and how life altering trauma can be.

I won't wax poetic because I just don't have time to right now, but I will say that finding this author through the Vino & Veritas series was a gift I didn't think to ask for this year. Reading reviews from Goodreads friends with impeccable taste directed me to this series and I am so glad I followed their lead. These books are wonderful and I recommend each and every one of them, regardless of my personal rating.

Even though these are technically stand alone books, my advice is to start at the beginning. Ethan and Tanner's book may not have been my favorite, but it was the foundation of this series. They brought all of these wonderful characters together and I was over the moon happy for them at the end of this book. I hope there will be more in this series. I've heard that the characters aren't talking to Ms. Hogan right now, so if either Max or Tomas could speak up, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars

Pinot & Pineapple Lumps is part of the Southern Lights series. While the relationship between Kurt and Penn stands alone, the storyline links back to Kurt’s relationship with his brother, Ethan, in Powder & Pavlova, and the trauma Kurt suffered in Flat Whites and Chocolate Fish and there are spoilers for those storylines.

When we first met Kurt, he was a teenager and it was great to see him mature into the mostly confident and snarky man he has become. I say mostly confident, because while Kurt is confident in most areas of his life, he has PTSD, and crowds and loud noises are a barrier for him.

The highlight here is definitely the time Penn and Kurt spend together and the playful and heated encounters they have throughout the entire book. With cameos from previous MCs in the series, and new characters introduced for potential stories in the future, it was great fun to be back with the men of Southern Lights.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Agla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really liked this book. Both characters were layered and interesting. They were honest, communicated well and supported each other without being overbearing or overstepping. The reflection around what makes a family was interesting. The age gap was handled well. I highly recommend :) I should add that I don't think it works that well as a standalone. This is the first book of the series I've read and I had a hard time at the beginning. I felt that I was missing something, an "incident" was reference and I felt I should have known what it was, that it wasn't the author's intent to create a mystery around the event or to hide the details for suspense purposes, I was expected to know the details but didn't. I think another prologue detailing what happened should have been included for those who have not read the other books. The details are eventually "revealed" but it takes a long time and I grew frustrated.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Working through trauma,
one glass/fuck/family/treat
at a time. It's fine.

[Marthea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update 12.03.2022

Drugie czytanie i wszystko bez zmian 😁
Cała seria pozostaje absolutnie w ścisłej czołówce moich ukochanych 💙

* * * * * * *

Czekałam na historię Kurta, bo - powiedzmy sobie szczerze - kto nie czekał? 😁 Jeżeli tylko dla kogoś ta seria zagrała, nie było możliwości, by nie dreptać z niecierpliwości w oczekiwaniu na nią 😁 I zdecydowanie się nie zawiodłam 😁

Po raz kolejny bohaterowie Jay Hogan okazali się być pełnokrwistymi, charakternymi, trójwymiarowymi, fantastycznymi postaciami. Żadne tam rozmemłane, nudne, bezbarwne, jojczące gnojki, którymi masz ochotę potrząsać, żeby się ogarnęli, przez całą książkę.

Kurt, jak na dwudziestolatka, ma swoje za uszami - i jest fantastycznym połączeniem bezczelności, pewności siebie, siły oraz bezbronności i wrażliwości jednocześnie. Penn to ten starszy, również doświadczony przez życie, ale zupełnie inaczej, niż Kurt. Przyciąganie i chemia między nimi są wyczuwalne na kilometr 😉 Ale nie tylko fizyczne... Wzajemna fascynacja jest na tak różnych poziomach... To, jak ich relacja i uczucie ewoluuje, a w raz z nimi również oni, jest jak zwykle u JH pokazane świetnie. Po raz kolejny autorka pokazuje, że nawet jeżeli jest jakieś znaczące rozstanie bohaterów - choć chyba w tym wypadku lepszym określeniem byłaby pauza, przerwa bądź po prostu czas na zebranie się do kupy - to jest to absolutnie wiarygodne, nie jest to niczyja wina, nie jest to nic w stylu "robię to dla Twojego dobra". Wszystko ma swoje uzasadnienie i jest bardzo głęboko osadzone w rzeczywistości, w wydarzeniach, w życiu. Choćby człowiek chciał kogoś obwinić, to nie ma kogo, bo jest w stanie zrozumieć właściwie każdą myśl i każde zachowanie bohaterów. Może tylko przyznać rację i czekać na satysfakcjonujące wszystkich rozwiązanie...

Można oczywiście czytać ten tytuł zupełnie osobno, bez wcześniejszych historii z serii, jednakże tak zupełnie szczerze, według mnie, wiele się traci. To świetna seria ze świetnymi bohaterami, których życia są ze sobą połączone przez pokrewieństwo, przyjaźń czy wydarzenia. Bądź przez wszystko na raz. Wiem, że się powtórzę, ale napiszę jeszcze raz to samo, co przy historii Adriana i Nialla: "Książki JH są urocze w najlepszym tego słowa znaczeniu, zostawiają Cię na koniec ze zdecydowanie lekką głową i optymistycznym nastawieniem do świata." Choć daleko im do pustych i nic nie znaczących tekstów, nastawionych tylko na rozrywkę i seks, bo każdy przedstawiony w nich dramat, przeżycia, wahania czy rozterki są jak najbardziej prawdziwe...

Po skończeniu tej części stuknęłam się w łepetę i poleciałam zmienić wszystkim częściom ocenę z 4+ na 5 - bo tak w sumie jest poza moim pojmowaniem dlaczego odrobinę obniżyłam ocenę, skoro wszystkie historie są kapitalne i niezmiernie mi się podobały 🤦‍♀️

I czekam na więcej, bo jest jeszcze taaaak dużo świetnego materiału na następne części 😁

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting for Kurt's story and it definitely didn't disappoint. I think what I loved best of this book is that even though we've seen Kurt go through so much, he's still snarky, snappy, and hilarious. I adored him more than I thought possible, and though Penn was his perfect match. These two were somewhat goofy, full of love, and just an absolute joy to read about. As always, Hogan provided such a beautiful backdrop to her stories and it made me want to go on a wine tour of Otago (even though I don't even really drink!). There was definitely some tough topics covered, but I thought they were covered beautifully and left me with so many emotions. A perfect edition to an amazing series.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this an A for narration and an A- for content at AudioGals

Pinot & Pineapple Lumps, book four in Jay Hogan’s Southern Lights series, is an heartfelt age-gap romance that tackles some difficult issues in a sensitive but realistic way. It could be listened to as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it; you’ll have a much better idea of the complicated relationship dynamics involved in this story if you at least listen to book one in the series, Powder & Pavlova, as that’s where we first meet the Sharpe brothers, Ethan and Kurt, the latter of whom is one of the leads here.

Note: There are spoilers for previous books in the series in this review.

At the end of Flat Whites & Chocolate Fish, Kurt was attacked and then badly burned in a fire which was set deliberately at the coffee roastery co-owned by his brother and their mutual friend, Adrian Powell. Pinot & Pineapple Lumps opens around a year later, and Kurt, now nineteen, knows his life has changed – that he has changed – irrevocably as a result of what happened. He’s living with PTSD, but he’s cognizant of it and is working on it with a therapist, but he doesn’t feel as though he fits into his old life any more, and he’s feeling somewhat directionless. The friends he used to hang out with from his design course at college have drifted away and Ethan is smothering him. Kurt knows Ethan’s protectiveness comes from a good place, but he’s tired of being treated as though he’s going to break – and also afraid he’s turning into someone he doesn’t recognise.

He’s at a wedding at a beautiful Ortego vineyard and has stepped out for some air when he meets Penn. They strike up a slightly flirty conversation and Kurt is shocked – and pleased – to realise that he’s feeling the pull of attraction for the first time since the fire. During the course of their chat, Penn mentions that he’s home for a visit – he’s based in Australia – but before they part, they share a passionate kiss that brings Kurt’s shorted-out libido back on line big time. Here, if only for this one moment, is someone who wants him for who he is now, someone who knows nothing about his past and sees and treats him as an adult. It’s been a long time since Kurt has felt much of anything, so to have this amazing kiss and everything that goes with it feels like a fog has finally lifted.

A year later, and Penn Cunningham has returned to New Zealand from his life and job in Adelaide because his father is dying, and although they’ve never really seen eye-to-eye, Penn knows he needs to be there to help run the family winery business and to make sure his father’s affairs are in order. Otis Cunningham doesn’t make it easy though – he’s always been overbearing and his rigid insistence that everything has to be done His Way is what eventually drove Penn so far away. Wine making is Penn’s passion – it’s in his blood – but his interests lie in a different direction to his father’s, and Otis’ persistent refusals to allow Penn to pursue them caused a rift between them that time and distance have done nothing to heal.

Kurt is six-months from finishing his design degree, and has been slowly making a name for himself off the back of the design work he’s been doing for Ethan’s company. Getting an invitation from Cunningham’s winery to discuss a re-branding project is a surprise – Cunningham’s is a big deal – although perhaps not quite as big a surprise as coming face to face with Penn – who is every bit as gorgeous as he remembers. After Penn’s awkward attempts to apologise for not having realised Kurt was “a kid” when they kissed, and Kurt’s very firm shut-downs, the pair begin to discuss the business at hand and discover that their ideas mesh very well. Over the following days and weeks – and despite Penn’s attempts at denial – it’s clear to both men that the powerful attraction they’d experienced that night a year earlier was no fluke, and that if anything, it’s getting stronger. Kurt makes his interest in Penn plain, but Penn holds back because he thinks Kurt is too young (he’s thirty to Kurt’s twenty) – yet the more time Penn gets to spend with Kurt, the more he likes him. Yes, he’s young, but he’s smart, funny and talented, and his life experiences have matured him more than other guys his age, and made him stronger and more resilient than even Kurt gives himself credit for. It doesn’t take too long for Penn to realise that it doesn’t matter how old Kurt is, or how many years lie between them – here is a man with whom he could have something very special indeed, and all he has to do is let himself reach for it.

The chemistry between Kurt and Penn is electric, and their romance evolves naturally from the friendship and understanding that grows between them. I loved how open and honest they are about their problems and what they want from life, and how much thought they put into their relationship.

Both men have complicated family issues to deal with. For Kurt, it’s getting Ethan to realise that he’s in danger of alienating Kurt by trying to wrap him in cotton wool, that he needs to take a step back and let Kurt make his own decisions and handle things his own way. For Penn, it’s dealing with the mixture of anger, grief and guilt that are currently the mainstays of his relationship with his father. He’s dreadfully torn – he loves the land and loves making wine, but his already conflicted feelings are further complicated by the stipulations Otis is threatening to impose as part of his will, which Penn sees as an attempt to control him from beyond the grave.

Kurt and Penn are complex, likeable and superbly drawn characters who are easy to root for. Kurt’s a survivor – never a victim – he knows what (and who) he wants and I really admired his strength and determination to get his life back on track. He’s been through life-changing experiences he’s still coming to terms and learning to live with, and the author shows his healing journey extremely well. Penn is – perhaps – cast into the shade just a little bit, because Kurt is such a force of nature, but he’s equally complex and likeable, and the problems he’s facing are just as compelling and well-handled. At this point, I have to mention Otis and the way Jay Hogan so skilfully avoids making him a one-note villain. He’s a cantankerous git, for sure, but she makes him into a nuanced, deeply flawed individual who elicits a degree of sympathy regardless of some of the things he says and does.

Gary Furlong delivers another highly accomplished performance in which he expertly captures the personalities of all the main characters and hits every emotional beat of the story perfectly. Kurt being forced to face some of his worst fears and Penn coming face to face with some very harsh truths are just some of the really powerful moments in the book, and Mr. Furlong renders them incredibly well – he’s able to get into the heads and hearts of the characters he portrays so that the listener experiences their emotions along with them, while never being ‘showy’ or over the top. The chemistry and connection between Kurt and Penn are strongly communicated, and his vocal characterisations are spot on, as always; Kurt’s confidence and his determination shine through, and while the gruff, sharp tones used for Otis are an excellent reflection of his crotchetiness, there are hints of vulnerability, too,

Pinot & Pineapple Lumps is a wonderful series finale, and possibly my favourite book of the Southern Lights series. The story is deeply emotional, the romance drips with chemistry, the HEA is deeply satisfying, and the narration is superb. Highly recommended.

This review originally appeared at AudioGals.

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Overall this was absolutely wonderful. Penn and Kurt fit together so well, with the best chemistry and best sex scenes I’ve read by this author. They were so warm and supportive with each other, not to mention vulnerable. All the communication was realistic but good, and the pacing was excellent.

I loved how they met, I loved how they re-met. I loved how their attraction developed until Penn had to give in regardless of the age gap (which didn’t bother me nor was it noticeable). I loved the humour and how easily Kurt teased Penn. I loved how peaceful almost the entire book felt, in a crackling campfire way. I loved how Kurt stood up to his overprotective brother (who was a caricature of himself from his first book) and how Penn supported him. I loved the easy acceptance and understanding of Kurt’s PTSD. I loved everything about Penn and Kurt and their romance. The only things I didn’t like, didn’t really have any thing to do with the romance.

I just didn’t love the big climax at about 75%, I thought it was a bit cruel of the author to do that to her character, but the resolution once that had passed was just absolutely perfect. It was hard to read through, though and I’ll admit I skimmed a bit because I just didn’t want that to be happening. However, it wasn’t a stupid ass breakup so I sure am thankful about that!

One other thing though, that father of Penn’s would’ve been written out of my life in absolute minute. Jesus. I wish he’d had a bit more redeeming qualities so I could understand why Penn was so kind to him still.

Kurt’s PTSD was painfully realistic, with the epilogue leaving me in tears. What a fantastic epilogue.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Jay Hogan’s Pinot & Pineapple Lumps, the fourth and final book in her ‘Southern Lights’ series, is a very good read. At times funny, frightening, tense, and definitely high heat, the greatest thing going for it is the wonderful protagonists Hogan has created.

Kurt Sharpe is a 20-year old graphic design student who has experienced more fear, loss, and grief in his short two decades than any man should have to endure in a lifetime. Penn Cunningham is a 30-year old wine maker, next in line to inherit his family’s vineyard, who is currently dealing with a number of issues, primarily the pending death of his irascible, controlling father who is dying from cancer. As in any Jay Hogan romance novel, there is a plethora of secondary characters whose presence certainly adds to the appeal of the story.

Do pay attention to the author’s trigger warnings on this one. PTSD is real - not just a product of war - and it's a prominent feature of this particular novel.

If you have recently lost someone close to you, or if you’re dealing with COVID pandemic anxiety/depression, this is one book you may want to put on hold to read at a later time.

The good news, of course, is that ultimately there is the much anticipated HEA ending for Kurt and Penn.

[NicoleR.M.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars.
My favorite book so far in the Southern Lights series.
Ever since I started reading this series, I wanted to read Kurt's story. He's had a lot on his plate at his young age and that's the kind of MC I like to read about; the ones that have dealt with life in a way that matures them and makes them older and wiser beyond their age. The ones that have to fight a little harder to be able to find happiness and love.

To me it was quite obvious Kurt wouldn't find what he was looking for with someone his own age. He needed someone who had experienced life, who was mature enough to understand what he was going through.
He found that someone in Penn. Ten years his senior, Penn is a winemaker who has to deal with his dying father, with whom he has a complicated relationship.
These men understand each other on another level. They understand what it's like to lose a parent to a disease, to be forced to deal with grief, anger and the punches life throws at you.

Penn and Kurt were perfect together. I loved how their relationship developed, how Kurt opened up to Penn and how Kurt, on his turn, was able to help Penn with the troubled relationship he had with his father. Their growing love was palpable, their chemistry hot as well.

Jay Hogan deals with sickness, both mental and physical, in a very respectful way. A mental illness doesn't magically disappear because you found someone you love and who loves you back. On the contrary. While dealing with your mental state and building a life with someone can be very stressful on it's own, it often makes it harder to accept your own flaws and imperfections, because how can you expect someone to do just that while you even can't do it yourself? I think that topic was handled very well and realistic. And still, Kurt was not the kind of guy to sit in a corner and have a pity party for himself. He was lively, he wanted to built a future for himself. He accepted life's challenges until it punched him in the face one time too many. In the end it was just beautiful to witness how Penn and Kurt were able to help each other through the painful period they both had to go through and how their love for each other gave them strength.

This was a touching, emotional hurt-comfort, age-gap story and one I highly recommend. It can be read as a stand-alone, but is much better appreciated when you read the other 3 books in this series first, since Kurt is making appearances in all of them and you get a better understanding of the person he's become.

I received an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest, unbiased review

[Christina]

3.5 Stars

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good one. Oh the feels! Kurt and Penn have to face a lot. Between trauma and family drama, they have a lot to work through to be together. It's heartfelt and sweet, if a bit heavy at times.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Penn 30 and Kurt 19, met in the dark beside Penn’s favourite Vines, there was chemistry, a kiss and a goodbye as Penn was returning to Adelaide next day. A year later Penn’s father Otis is failing fast and he returns from Australia to help sort out issues at the Vinyard with the help of Tracey, the woman who has been the backbone of their winemaking for years. Penn had left 7 years ago because his stubborn, pigheaded father wouldn’t let him expand and have real input.

Now Otis has reluctantly agreed to a revamp of their Artwork and Labelling and by chance Kurt is the young man called in to bring new ideas for Otis to look at. So surprise surprise, Penn and Kurt met again. I just loved Kurt’s sassiness and his sense of humour, Penn didn’t stand a chance, though it bothered him that Kurt had just turned 20.

Kurt is recovering from a huge traumatic experience that left him scarred and suffering from PTSD, panic attacks and a fear of loud noises, especially fire alarms, ambulance sirens etc. Penn has a boyfriend in Adelaide that wants to know when he’s coming back. He’s missing Penn. Their relationship wasn’t even a year old, and Penn had no idea that Gary had such strong feelings for him. He was shocked when Gary calls and asks him to come home and move in with him. Penn knows he can’t do that, his heart wants someone else. They are so great together, Penn and Kurt, yes there is great chemistry and steamy passion between them, but they both are such great supports to each others needs.

I was surprised by the angstiness in this story and it wasn’t between the MC’s thankfully. Penn and Otis’s relationship was painful to read, Otis is a very bitter man and holds a grudge against Penn and his mother, who walked away from Otis and his overbearing ways many years ago. Strangely, Otis has taken a liking to Kurt’s no nonsense but respectfully truthful attitude towards him.

With his health failing fast Otis is trying to force Penn to stay by threats about the future sale of the Winery and this was so sad to watch at times. Penn trying to take care of business and Otis blocking him at every step forward.

All comes to a head what disaster strikes, and many lives were at risk and unfortunately Kurt was hurled back into events of the past which put his relationship with Penn in jeopardy.

Jay Hogan is an author whose books I grab without even reading the blurb. I just know I’m in for a treat hopefully still based in the beauty of New Zealand. She has a way of building each character so that you can nearly feel whatever they are going through. I read most all her Series, I’ve 1 more book to go in this series and now wait for whatever new GEMS see has coming up.

Treat yourself to any of her Series, I particularly enjoyed AUCKLand Med, but I recommend all of them to enjoy on the coming dark evenings in the Northern Hemisphere.

[beautiful journey｡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 pinot and pineapple stars!

The fact that I'm coming back to old series, reading installments I avoided at that time, is speaking for itself I'm getting old. I'm in need of re-vising old friends, the ones I adore and beautiful settings, which I currently need in my life. Simple balm for my soul and heart.

This book is everything I love in my romances and Kurt is my favourite Jay's character, hands down.

[ReadingAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinot & Pineapple Lumps is the 4th book of the Southern Lights Series. You don't need to read all the books in the series to understand the story, but if you want to enjoy the book to the fullest, I would recommend reading the other books as well. (They are equally good as this one)

Kurt is a twenty-year-old young man, who had not an easy life. First, he lost his mother to cancer at age 15, but he was later in a burning building and had to suffer through skin grafts. He is a graphic designer and meets Penn during one of his jobs. Penn is the son of an owner of a vineyard. He lived the past 7 years in Australia due to some differences with his father. But he returns to New Zealand when his father is dying from cancer.

I can't express how much I loved this book. This book feels real. I was right beside the characters, looking at the vinery, hearing the river, feeling the sun on my skin, and breathing the smoke. I do not have this feeling often while reading books, but somehow Jay Hogan manages to bring New Zealand and the characters into my flat in Germany. Or am I transported to New Zealand? I don't know.
Both MCs have their struggles and hurdles to overcome. They don't overcome their struggles magically after they fell in love, but they learn to deal with them on their own and then share the burden together.
Kurt way my favorite character. He is funny as hell and knows exactly what he wants and goes for it. But he is not perfect. The author illustrates a real character with real flaws and life struggles.

I can only recommend this book to you! You will not be disappointed.

*I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I absolutely adored this one. I am slowly working my way through Jay Hogan's backlist, and while the Mackenzie Country series has my heart, this book was incredible- and was my favorite of her "Southern Lights" series. You WILL want to read this series in order though- this would not pack the same emotional punch as a standalone!

And also- do not judge this book by it's cover. This cover is so strange. This dude looks way too old to be Penn. Just sayin'.

Kurt, our resident "little brother" to Ethan from the earlier books, finds himself in a magical sort of "meet-cute" at the beginning of this story. He and an older man- known only as "Penn from Adelaide-" share a turbo-charged kiss under the stars, only to then end up so far apart- both literally, because Penn lives in another country, and figuratively- once he realizes Kurt's age, he pretty much runs for the hills.

Kurt is going through a TIME. He suffers from some serious PTSD from the fire that almost killed him in the previous books-- and he is struggling to regain his footing. He is living in Ethan and Tanner's yard in a van- and numbing the feelings from the PTSD with men- so many men. He is trying to get his graphic design business off the ground, and is extremely talented, but everyone close to him is worried about his well-being and how he is coping.

Kurt's path crosses again with Penn one year post-magical-kiss, when Penn is in town to oversee relations at his father's vineyard- and Kurt has been tagged as a potential graphic designer to help with their rebrand. And oh man, I love how tortured Kurt is over trying not to lose his absolute SHIT just at the sight of Penn. Penn is very reluctant- he doesn't want to start anything with Kurt for a multitude of reasons- but that doesn't stop Kurt from lusting hard over the guy.

"Kurt spun, sucked in a sharp breath, and nearly fell off his damn chair at the sight of Penn strolling toward them through the vines. It was the stuff of a well-financed porno set in some Tuscan vineyard, and Kurt was totally f*cking on board. Sign him up. Because, holy crap."

There was a lot of buildup here, and I really loved all of the agonizing tension. Penn is trying so hard to talk himself out of starting anything with Kurt, because hello, the guy is only 20, and Penn is going back to Adelaide soon, etc etc etc. BUT. He really, really has a hard time staying away, and I thought the entire part of the book where he tried soooo hard to fight it was nothing short of delish. CHEMISTRY! THESE TWO HAVE SOME CRAZY CHEMISTRY! Gahhhhhhhh- I thought they were by far the hottest couple in this series.

"The snap of the door lock in Penn's fingers ran a shiver down Kurt's spine, and with only a couple of steps between them, he could barely catch his f*cking breath. Everything about the two of them in the same room together reeked of barely restrained hunger that was sexy-as-fuck and utterly terrifying."

Not only were these two on fire, but I really loved how while no one else seemed to be able to help them, get through to them, be the rock the other needed- they ended up the perfect damn fit for one another on the emotional/healing spectrum as well as the physical one. Ethan was driving Kurt up a wall with his overbearing behavior, and not making any headway in helping him with his PTSD. And Penn thought he knew how to handle his father, what he wanted out of his role within the vineyard- but he really needed someone to give him a "Come to Jesus" talk and help him get his head out of his ass. And they absolutely complimented each other so perfectly in that sense.

"In the end, you have to survive your father's death, and you need to live the life you want to live. Not a life chosen by your father, or to spite your father, but one true to you. Otherwise, if you're not careful, he'll still be controlling you when he's gone."
Kurt pulled him in for a long, thorough kiss, willing Penn to let go for a while and let Kurt care for him. Something Kurt wanted to do, so very much.

The ending of this one was one of those that just pulls sooooo hard at the heartstrings- part of it was because all of the characters in the series are all rolling up in here, with parts to play as a big found family-- but the biggest emotional moment for me was watching Penn FINALLY be the rock Kurt needed to make some big first steps in overcoming his PTSD. NO ONE was as patient with him as Penn-- and it made all of the difference in his ability to move forward and heal.

LOVED IT SO MUCH.

I will be reading the Painted Bay series next!