The Science of Attraction is the third book in the Mackenzie Country series. You can read this book as a standalone, but I read the other two volumes first. I found it more enjoyable because I had already gotten to know and love most of the characters in the previous volumes.
This time it's about Julian, Jules for short, the son who has taken over the station after his father's stroke. Paddy is a father who hasn't made it easy for his first-born son Zach after he came out. Due to Paddy's illness, he needs a private rehab specialist. This is Liam and since they are both at the farm, Jules quickly gets to know Liam. It was entertaining to read how Liam pushed Jules' father Paddy to his limits. Liam is openly gay and he knows how to deal with Jules' father. But he awakens feelings in Jules that he's never had before.
I love it when a character finds their true self and can live it. That's why I liked Jules and Liam's story so much. I really like these two likeable characters and it was great to see how their relationship developed. The author has created interesting secondary characters that I really liked. All in all, a fascinating story about the family dynamics of the Lane family who experience many ups and downs over the course of the series.
The story is entertaining and emotional and it got super exciting towards the end. Another highlight for me is the setting - I love the mountains, the landscape, the farm. The author has described it all in such detail and wonderfully that I quickly found myself in the Australian highlands.
Although I've already read the book, I was really looking forward to the audiobook because Gary Furlong's performance is absolutely fantastic! He gave each character a suitable voice and I was able to distinguish between them very well. He read in a very lively and entertaining way, so it was a pleasure to relive the story of Jules and Liam. I thought the book was already very good, but the audiobook makes the story an experience I wouldn't want to miss.
I can't get enough of this series and am happy to recommend it!

Fox grows in his relationship and economy from a divorce and loss of business to new relationship and new job. Leroy is still a grump, but lets a few more people in.

Kurt and Penn broke my heart and stitched it back together again. ♥️

Loved Kane and Abe ♥️

I like the story and the characters. I find the narrators voice pleasant and befitting of the story.

As with all of Jay Hogans books I really enjoy the characters. They are well fleshed out. The angst is not OTT and conversations realistic. Some like Adrian have dark pasts but these things happen in real life. The humor that Jay entwines with darkness in the story prevents the reader from being bogged down in misery. I listen for a solid story to escape that darkness we see in this world that we live in. Friends can be found family when biological family let us down.
Blood does not a family make.

I’m completely in love with MacKenzie county in New Zealand. So much that I want to visit. Hell, I might even want to move there. Stunning mountains, rugged landscape, handsome men… Now, a bunch of them are gay, but that’s totally fine. Because I have to say these guys are pretty awesome.

In this third book, Jules is dealing with his homophobic father who recently had a stroke. Jules took over the management of the station, but now that his father’s home, the man is determined to retake his position as head of the house. The problem? He’s not physically or mentally capable.

Enter Liam. Liam the physical therapist whose experience makes him invaluable. Liam who won’t put up with any bull crap from anyone. Liam who wears his gayness with pride and he’d not willing to put up with bigots. If Jules’s father won’t get in line, Liam’s more than prepared to walk away.

Only Jules hopes he won’t because man, is Liam hot. And available. And interested. Thus the men begin an illicit relationship under Jules’s father’s nose. Discovery could mean the end of Liam’s job as well as the outing of a very in the closet bisexual Jules. He watched his father try to destroy the younger son, Jules’s beloved brother, just for being gay. What would happen if it turned out the eldest son enjoyed the company of men as well?

Now, this is a Jay Hogan romance, so you know there’s likely a big blowup in store. I just didn’t foresee how things would go. I thought I knew, but I missed some of the finer details that made the story so impactful. Wow, what a punch.

Of course I wasn’t certain how things might work. Jules isn’t leaving the station and his legacy. Liam’s work, sister, and nephew are in the city. So how are things going to unfold? I’ll leave it to the master storyteller to share the rest…

Gary Furlong is one of my favorite narrators and I thought he did a brilliant job with this one. Especially given Jules’s father’s stroke and how he struggled. Gary did that perfectly. There’s another book in the series and I can’t wait to read it.

I read this book on my Kindle a few years ago and was so excited to do a reread when the audio was released! These two men are amazing together and I really love just how real this story is. Neither man is perfect and I love that we get to see some slightly flawed humans dealing with real issues that happen in a relationship. Drake was the right amount of snarky and vulnerable and I adored how sweet Caleb was underneath his cocky exterior.

I love your characters. Enough to want another visit with them.

A few years ago, a friend recommended New Zealand author, Jay Hogan, to me. By this time she already had a reasonably long back list and I spent many months reading some of the best books I’ve ever enjoyed. Digging Deep was one of those books and what an utterly unforgettable story it is. I love every single story this author has ever written and regularly re-read/listen, but I especially love those books where she uses her extensive knowledge as a senior Critical Care Nurse practitioner/teacher - Digging Deep in particular.

Drake Park’s life is complicated enough juggling a busy professional life as a male midwife, but add his chronic disease into the mix, and he has a more difficult life than most. On the whole he makes it work, but bitter experience has taught him that he’s not able to experience the kind of life that most gay men enjoy. Drake has learnt that he cannot compromise his health and, more especially, that trusting a man to understand him and his complex health needs has only led to heartbreak and disappointment in the past. The stress is never worth the inevitable pain.

Drake is pretty much resigned to a life alone with the emphasis on staying healthy, when he ‘meets’ police detective, Caleb Ashton, under less than auspicious circumstances. Caleb is a bit of a Tom cat with a commitment phobia, but for some reason he can’t explain, is immediately drawn to the gorgeous young man he arrests. Yes, Caleb arrests Drake, but is soon filled with overwhelming regret after he becomes fully aware of Drake’s condition and consequently realises the unnecessary pain and humiliation he has caused him.

Wanting to make amends, but also intrigued and attracted to the gorgeous young midwife, Caleb attempts an apology, in fact, more than one apology. Drake is having none of it. He’s prickly and sarcastic rebuffing Caleb at every turn. Caleb has to work extremely hard to even get Drake to agree to a conversation with him. What follows is often hilarious, but also sweet and endearing, as Caleb researches Drake’s Chrone’s disease - this appears to be the way to earn Drake’s trust - and then to prove he understands and is not put off by what he learns.

Drake is the recipient of some rather unusual gifts from his admirer, all pertaining to Chrone’s - Caleb’s rather unusual ‘bouquet’ being a case in point. Slowly Drake is worn down by Caleb’s resilience to his put-downs and amused and even secretly thrilled by his unusual and thoughtful gifts.

This story lends itself perfectly to the outstanding and fabulous performance by the multitalented Gary Furlong. Funny, witty, and snarky, as is the norm with any book written by Jay Hogan, there are also some tense and highly emotional moments. One such moment completely overset me and I felt myself wholly there in that place and time experiencing Drake’s utter despair. I’m not often moved to tears, but such was the impact of Jay Hogan’s words on me and Gary Furlong’s interpretation of them, that I was thoroughly undone. Such a beautiful, moving, utterly captivating story but also, at times - heart wrenching. I honestly cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially the audio version. A perfect author/voice actor team. 5 highly deserved stars.

As always, top tier narration from Gary. He never disappoints! This book started off funny and I had no idea what how it would go from there. I literally laughed and cried during this listen. All the books I’ve read/listened to by Jay have real life issues that people deal with and I enjoy that. It’s refreshing. The side characters in this book were the best. They were funny and caring and exactly how true friends and family should be! I’m very thankful I was given the opportunity to listen and review this one.

This story will break your heart and put it back together. I adored Gil and Holden and the whole cast of characters. This was my first book by Jay Hogan but it wasn't my last. I have been working through her collection.
Gary Furlong does an amazing job with the audiobook.

I received an ARC copy of this audiobook and I have to say I absolutely love this book! The Narrator was great and the story was very well done.

I've loved all of Jay Hogan's books, at least all the ones that I can get as Audiobooks. I get sucked in from the very beginning and find myself falling in love with all of the characters. I've related to so many of them that I keep coming back for more.

Let's get one thing out there first. One of the MCs has Crohn’s disease. This is not a prop to make the MC 'more interesting', it's not mentioned in passing then ignored for the rest of the book. The author doesn't shy away from the problems of this condition in discussions or in actions. It isn't something that is conveniently forgotten at sex scenes and yet despite the inevitable talks and angst those scenes are sexy, considerate and tender.

Drake is prickly and has been hurt before and he's quick to use his condition (justifiably) to keep prospective lovers at arms length. You can feel his pain, his frustration with dealing with this condition every damn day. Forgetting for even a moment is not an option and even a simple meal with family requires military precision. Caleb is a sweetheart. An arsehole cop when we first meet him, and a commitment-phobe to boot, Caleb takes on the challenge of wooing Drake. Turns out Caleb is a thoughtful wooer and a previously undiscovered romantic.

As usual Gary Furlong does an exceptional job, his performance adding an extra layer of pathos and sass.

Excellent writing and a lovely tale. Highly recommended.