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.
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.
Title: Pinot & Pineapple Lumps
Author: Jay Hogan
Series: Southern Lights Series #4
Genre: MM Romance
Standalone: Yes
Release Day: March 18th, 2021
Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
I’ve read one other book in this series, and just loved it, so reading this one was a pure treat. The author’s ability to give visuals to an area of the world many haven’t traveled to (I’ve gotten to travel there for a few weeks!), and may never travel to is fantastic. I loved the mental visuals I had of the vineyards that Penn loved so much.
Penn had a difficult struggle ahead of him. His father was a complete jerk (and I am being kind when I say that), and broke my heart when he had something done that was for no other reason than to break Penn into pieces. But he loved he land, and wanted to find what was supposed to be his place in the world.
Kurt needed something of his own, as well. He was still recovering from serious PTSD, but wanted to give himself a chance to move forward, create a business that he could be proud of, and show his brother he could do it.
These two danced around each other initially (I loved that they had had one moment a year+ previous, but needed more time to become who they needed to be for themselves), but soon found that they needed what the other could provide, as well as finding peace with each other. It really was just a lovely romance, with some incredibly well written side characters (even if I didn’t like them all!) and beautiful narrative of an incredible land. I’m looking forward to more in this series.
4 pieces of eye candy