Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  On Board

SERIES:  Painted Bay #2

AUTHOR:  Jay Hogan

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  370 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 23, 2021

BLURB:

Leroy Madden is in trouble. Big, handsome, Fox Carmody trouble.

Leroy has buried his attraction to the enigmatic fisherman in irritation and pointless bickering, keeping Fox at a safe distance. But with the troublesome man now living in Leroy’s house, it’s becoming impossible for Leroy to keep his true feelings hidden, or the fact that Leroy maybe isn’t so straight, after all.

Leroy hungers for something different between them. He wants more. But Leroy’s business is struggling, his newly mended relationship with his brother is at risk, Fox doesn’t plan to stay, and their mothers are lovers.

Regardless of what Leroy’s heart so desperately wants, his entire world is at stake, and nothing about a relationship with Fox Carmody was ever going to be easy.

REVIEW:

This is another fantastic novel by Jay Hogan. Second in the Painted Bay series, On Board tells the story of Leroy Madden (brother of Judah from On Balance) and his almost step-brother, Fox Carmody. They begin the story with heaps of animosity and hostility, at least on Leroy’s part. As they fall in love, you’ll get to enjoy a luscious, low-angst bi-awakening journey with beach sex, a loyal four-footed friend, a posse of kittens, and the friendships onboard the mussel farm boat. 

Leroy has little choice in tolerating Fox’s presence when his mother invites Fox to stay at Leroy’s house indefinitely without Leroy’s permission or knowledge. Fox is experiencing major life changes and has, for the time being, fled his home on Stewart Island off the southern-most point of New Zealand. The men have known each other for a year since their mothers fell in love and shacked up. Since the beginning, perennially bad-tempered Leroy has hated Fox; it’s mutual, he tells himself (it’s not) and me thinks he doth protest too much. He acts like a miserable git because he’s not yet able to admit to himself that he’s attracted to a man.  

“I turned and headed for the study, wondering how many points you earned for being the biggest arsehole of the day. My cup runneth over.”

Leroy remains cold and distant but can’t stop obsessing over Fox. He knows his bisexuality won’t go down well with Judah and doesn’t relish the idea of everyone’s scrutiny and attention if he comes out. Fox bides his time, though, and moments of near-friendship and understanding do peek through between Leroy’s periods of prickly, icy antagonism. At thirty, Leroy’s never had a serious relationship and thinks he’s destined to be independent and alone. He’s scared of needing anyone or letting anyone into his shell.  

“I think I tried to dislike you so much because a part of me recognised the very real danger you represented, the changes I was going to have to make. But I’m done fighting. This thing is good between us, the best I’ve ever had, and I’m not walking away either.” 

Unlike the previous book, On Board is set almost entirely on the farm at the homestead or on the water. There isn’t the interaction with the townsfolk and area businesses like in Off Balance, which I enjoyed quite a bit, but I equally like the freshness of this novel going in a different direction. The more insular setting creates the coziness and intimacy necessary for Leroy and Fox to grow close.  

Once again, Ms. Hogan does a stellar job of recreating the vivid scenery of Northlands, New Zealand, and briefly on Stewart Island. She captures the sweeping beauty of the coasts of both the north and the south. I feel like I got to experience life aboard the Green Lip during a cyclone and nestled in the warm, sprawling homestead where much of the relationship develops.  

At the time of this review, the length of the book was not provided. It felt like a long story, in a good way. At one point while I was reading, I thought it must have been around 75% through based on the stage of plot development, but it was only halfway done. I was happy to know the story would be more complex. In addition to the romance, there are several side plots: troubles with Leroy’s former partner; the sustainability of the farm; and lingering issues between Leroy and Judah. Everything played out well with no unnecessary drama.  

With an endearing couple, a heartwarming relationship, and interesting side characters, this continuation of the series is a good bet.  

RATING:

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