Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  In Step

SERIES:  Painted Bay #3

AUTHOR:  Jay Hogan

PUBLISHER:  Southern Lights Publishing

LENGTH:  373 pages

RELEASE DATE:  February 10, 2022

BLURB:

Karma. You reap what you sow, and KANE MARTIN isn’t looking for forgiveness. But the arrival of ABE TYLER in Painted Bay has Kane dreaming of the impossible. The sexy, silver fox choreographer is determined to pull Kane out from the shadows, but Abe’s career isn’t about to shift to Painted Bay, and Kane’s life is in neat little boxes for a reason.

A past he isn’t proud of.
A family he’s walked away from.
A job he doesn’t deserve.
A secret he’s ashamed of.

But life’s dance can make for unexpected partners, and learning to trust and keep up with the footwork is the name of the game.

Two steps forward, one step back.
It takes two to tango.

Trigger Warning: Contains references to past abuse and bullying.

REVIEW:

In Step is a wonderful, heartbreaking book, the third in the Painted Bay series. This book broke me at times. Interestingly, my tears were for circumstances outside of Kane and Abe’s burgeoning relationship, although there’s a certain sadness there, too. They fall hard and fast but there’s an expiration date on their time together, looming a short six weeks from the time they meet.

We met Kane in On Board. He was one of Judah’s high school bullies whom Cora discovers living in his car with a litter of kittens. Against Judah’s very vocal protests, Cora strong armed Leroy into giving him a job on his boat and a bedsit to live in. Kane’s had a horribly sad past, much of which we don’t learn until later in the book. It’s one tragedy after another since childhood. Now he’s deeply ashamed of how he treated Judah and it affects his whole life. He’s closeted and lonely without a partner, meaningful friendships, or family he’s close to. His only friend – other than his cat, Bossy – might be Terry, who believes in him and sees him as someone other than the messed up teenaged bully that everyone else regards him as. He’s underfed with little money to afford luxuries like constant heat in his apartment.

Abe is a friend of Judah’s. He’s a nomadic choreographer who travels from his home in London ten months out of the year, on the road for long term assignments with dance companies around the world. He’s currently in Painted Bay to help Judah put together a recital for Terry’s daughter, Hannah’s, dance class for differently abled children. Abe’s lifestyle suits him well; the idea of living in one place with one person is suffocating to him. Until he meets Kane and falls in love.

It’s lust at first sight for Kane and Abe, who’s staying with Leroy and Fox, right next door to Kane. Abe’s enchanted with Kane’s beautiful blond, surfer looks, while Kane is turned on by the powerful, fourteen-year older man with the heterochromatic eyes. He notices every inch of Abe’s body, from the curve of his neck to his strong, sexy toes. When these two get together, the sex is very sensual. The horny inner monologue of these two is quite amusing.

Jay Hogan’s storytelling is up to its usual high standards, as she balances the love story with humor, numerous heavy topics, and even a short revenge sub plot. World building is again one of Ms. Hogan’s strengths. Somehow, she conveyed just how cold winter in Painted Bay can be. I was chilled all day. But it’s her striking imagery that could pass as a travelogue for New Zealand as she takes us along for the ride on a coastal and pastoral drive.

Painted Bay’s residents add so much to the story, particularly Leroy and Fox, and Judah and Morgan. Leroy and Fox, in particular, bring the humor. Cora and Martha, Terry, Hannah, and Jam all integrate well. Being around all the happy couples and found family make Abe melancholy about not having deeper bonds with anyone in his life.

If you enjoy dance – especially the tango – you’ll enjoy this book. Abe’s passion for dance, and the energy and hope he exhibits when dancing is awe inspiring. Let’s not forget the body hugging, leave nothing to the imagination dance tights. You don’t have to know a thing about dance to appreciate those.

At 85%, I still had no idea how Kane and Abe were going to bridge the conflict of living on two different continents. Abe is nowhere near ready to give up his flourishing career, and Kane is finally setting down roots with a found family he cherishes and a perfect new job opportunity. The turnaround in Kane’s life is deeply satisfying and the ending, set six months in the future, is a true happily ever after. Like the rest of the series, I highly recommend In Step for the compelling leading men, the fantastic array of other characters, and a storyline that kept me engaged throughout.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon