The Promise of Together: Fisher & Church, Book 3

I hesitantly began this series thinking that this is going to be another gay cops and robbers series with some extra added drama. Well I was quite wrong. I have enjoyed most of the books Jay Hogan has written (not so much the super mushy ones written for straight women) and this series goes to the top of the list. So many gay oriented love stories are written by straight women which I just have a hard time wrapping my head around - how do so many straight women know what gay men like so much? - (honestly, I mean no offense ladies) but Jay just totally gets it. I laughed and cried while reading this book. Jay's writing is humorous, yet very touching too. This series actually parallels my own life in so many ways. Having a boyfriend for 23 years and suddenly not having him. It has taken me 18 years to have met someone who can't replace my first love, but comes damn close to that. The fact that we are both older now just like Mads and Nick puts things in more perspective than it did when I was 23 and met my first love. Minus the kidnapping and breaking up an underaged sex trafficking ring the parallels are almost identical. So for me, it was easy to relate. One thing I did not care for was the way Jay presented Mads and Nick's engagement - if that is what it was. Unless I am missing something, you kind of had to assume that part of the grand finale. I was kind of surprised at how the very ending was handled. Sort of a rush ending. All in all, I loved the series and hate to…

Don’t get me wrong. I love a steamy romance about men in their 20s and 30s. What’s not to like? But being a 63-year-old gay man who’s been in a committed relationship for 30 years, it’s so nice to see two men in their 50s find love. The characters in the series are relatable to me and probably to other readers who identify as (youngish) seniors. I particularly enjoy the little details that Jay drops into the story about men aging gracefully (no ED issues reported, but -bought and read wonky joints and gray chest hair anyone?) I bought all three books in this series, and I’ve read practically every other book she’s published. She’s really a gifted storyteller, and she can always bring it a tear to my eye. Keep on keeping on, Jay.

Gah! The ending to a series that promised a fantastic conclusion...and delivers. But that also means this is the last time you'll learn something new about two complicated men. Madigan and Nick have more than a few emotional conversations, many of which deal with the physical abuse of a child,...and then abandonment by a parent. Is it any wonder that trust is hard to envision in your future. When the man you love, is able to break through barriers and cements your relationship, then you can move on and grow as a person. Jay can look inside characters and uncover motives, regrets, and rebuild the ability to love. She has men forgiving past slights, and worse, from parents who should protect you. They're left with emotional scars as well as deeply painful memories. Jay has always been a 'go-to' author for me, and this series cements her place, in my 'most favorite authors.' Thanks to Bookfunnel and Jay for this ARC. I know I'll be rereading the series years from now.

I've loved Mads and,Nick forever and will really miss them now that there is no Fisher and Church to look forward to reading. This book was a great way to end the series. Nick could finally be happy. Will he stop being reckless, well, he'll be better is all I can say. They will take their beautiful older men selves and settle down a bit, have their house to themselves and find peace. I still wish Jay Hogan would give me a Gazza book all for me, but okay I'll give up the idea!

I loved The Meaning of You, and the second book in the trilogy, The Question of Us, was even better. I had very high expectations for The Promise of Together and wasn’t disappointed. I have to take a moment to say I was strolling on a beach near Thames on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand while listening to Gary Furlong’s beautiful narration of Jay’s amazing words. I’d been so excited the audio became available that I was happy to integrate the listening into my vacation on the other side of the world. As always, Gary’s performance was brilliant and I loved listening to him every moment - especially with that lovely accent. Truly lyrical. Okay – the book! I loved the first two, as I’ve said, so I was happy to nab this one. Mads and Nick had wormed their way into my heart as they have navigated the treacherous waters of a new relationship. That’s daunting enough these days, but to start fresh in your fifties is even more perilous. You’ve lived over half a lifetime and to adjust to having a new person in your life is a challenge. Nick, newly widowed, also has the layer of grief upon that. The first two books in this series were about a mystery with people at arm’s length. And the two men embarking on risky adventures to save men they don’t even know was exciting to read about. Book three is about Nick’s mother – or her reappearance in his life. Nick has to reconcile her abandonment of him as a young child. He has to revisit a painful time in his life and see things…