Pinot and Pineapple Lumps - Audiobook

This book gave me so many feelings, it filled my heart with emotions and hope. If I had to sum up the book in one word it would be that: HOPE. In the mist of all the grief, the pain, the fear that both Penn and Kurt are facing, there’s still hope and the sense of wonder at what the two of them can be capable of overcoming and creating together.
Kurt may be only twenty years old, but he has been through so much in his young life, that he had t grow up fast. And if in some aspects he has all the cockiness and recklessness of youth, he also has a strong head over his shoulders and proves to be the rock in Penn’s storm.
Penn is 30, he has made a life for himself in Australia, far from the land he loves and from a father he can’t seem to see eye to eye with; a father who is now on death’s bed and has demanded Penn came back to manage the winery at the southernmost edge of New Zealand, which is as much Penn’s soul as it represents his complicated relationship with his dying father.

I love being transported in the beautiful land that is New Zealand by Jay Hogan’s magical words. Her writing style just resonates with me, so much so that her books have become an auto-buy for me.

Pinot and Pineapple Lumps is the final book in the Southern Lights series by Jay Hogan and was my absolute favorite.
Never mind there’s a hunky winemaker and lots of lush southern NZ scenery. I loved this book because it’s Kurt’s story.
We met Kurt in the first book when he was a surly 16 year old grieving his mother and resenting his prodigal son brother. Now 20, Kurt’s been through the wringer. For reasons I won’t spoil, he has grown so much. Suffering from PTSD, he’s finishing a graphic design course and running his own company.
A year ago he and Penn shared a kiss then parted ways
Now Penn is back and unwittingly hires Kurt to update the labels for his family winery.
I loved how at first they are just friends (Penn has a boyfriend in Australia). But once he is single, his objection to their 10 year age difference fades away. (Kurt has a lot of fun teasing “old man” Penn.)
The way they supported each other was lovely. Their dates are playful and add some levity to the melancholy of Penn’s story.

“I’m not asking you to be anything you’re not ready to be…If you want to slow down, we’ll slow down. But I can’t promise to stop falling in love with you, Kurt. It’s too damn late for that. “ Sigh…

The secondary characters are so memorable: the wedding couple that kicks off the story, Kurt’s overprotective brother, Penn’s overbearing dad trying to put his affairs in order…
There’s sadness, but love manages to soothe the sting of loss.
You really should read the whole series (it’s really good!) to learn all the other characters stories and see how far Kurt has come.
(And I did Google Pineapple Lumps - they sound delish!).

Narrator Gary Furlong is such a great partner in bringing Jay’s book to life. They are a wonderful pairing, and it’s always a treat to listen to him.

Pinot & Pineapple Lumps was an anticipated book for those who have read the previous stories. We’ve been invested in Kurt finding his happiness and someone to love him.

He’s been forced to find wisdom only someone who has seen some sh** can. He’s had to find a way to fight for happiness, and finding the older Penn who understands some of what he’s been through is the perfect fit.

Theirs is a beautiful relationship that grew through compassion and patience.

Jay has handled the topics of mental illness and complicated familial relationships with great compassion and care. It all made for a touching story.