Genre: Contemporary, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
I don’t like labels and I’m happy that way, but it’s taken a long time to get here. A jerk of a father, too many bullies to name, and a string of dipshit boyfriends whose interest in me rarely made it past the skirts I sometimes wear. Suffice to say, my faith in men runs a little thin.
The last thing I need is a gruff, opinionated, fiery, closeted, Paralympian jock messing with my hard-won peace. Miller Harrison is a wrinkle in my life I could definitely do without. I have a job that I love at Auckland Med., a boss who understands me, and a group of friends who accept me as I am.
I should walk away.
But Miller knows a thing or two about living life against the grain, and that hope I thought I’d buried a long time ago, is threatening to surface.
The Review
Miller Harrison has an important job, one he likes at Auckland Med, as the Clinical Governance Coordinator. He had been headed for an athletic career after playing rugby for the Auckland Blues and had a shot at the All Blacks, but horrible accident left him a paraplegic.
But his love of the game and support from a great family kept him in the game. He became a Paralympian, and now plays rugby/murderball for the NZ Wheel Blacks. As Miller’s life was consumed with education, work, keeping fit, playing in the All Blacks league, he didn’t socialize much, and kept a secret.
Sandy Williams is an RN and Forensic Pathology Assistant at Auckland Med. He’s had to fight most of his life to just be himself. When Sandy came out to his family at a young age, his father Floyd walked out on his family, and ever since, Sandy has struggled with blaming himself for his father’s choice. But with a wonderful and supportive Mom and sister, he made it through life, although there were still hurtful memories along the way.
When Sandy and Miller run into each other, sparks fly, and not in a good way. Miller’s just another jock who’s bound to screw up somewhere, but something about Miller piques Sandy’s interest. If there’s even a chance of these two getting together, will they be able to take on all the chaos that awaits them?
Jay Hogan really brings “being true to yourself” to the forefront in this tale – what makes an individual comfortable in their own skin. It’s also about perception of one another, making judgements and hoping that people can change for the better. She also does a magnificent job exploring Miller’s disability. She takes time to educate us on the Paralympic wheel chair sport, and makes it clear that there’s danger involved for the players who already have life-long injuries.
I felt like I was right there with Sandy, learning about the game of rugby. Hogan is all around brilliant in handling all the sensitive issues that make this an interesting read. I also liked the addition of the younger set of characters – Sam, Geo and Jacob – how they faced the issue of coming out and how everyone rallied together to support them.
Even though this is not a holiday story, it has that feel to it, with all the gang getting involved. Cam and Rueben, Mark and Ed, Michael and Josh and Paris get into the act too. And Miller’s family – Dad James and his Mum – and Sandy’s Mum Fiona and sister Lizzie are also part of the mix, along with all the amazing individuals who come together in support of Sandy.
I highly recommend this powerful and interesting novel from Jay Hogan. “Against the Grain” is a great addition to the “Auckland Med” series and I’m looking forward to Hogan’s next book!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
