First Impressions (Auckland Med., #1)

by Jay Hogan

[layawaydragon]

Trigger Warning: Drug Busts, Violence, Cheating, Kidnapping, Bigot Parents, Appropriation of Māori tribal tattoos.

I was really surprised how quickly I was taken in and over by First Impressions. I just could not stop reading it. Not even in public! And that’s really saying something given how easily embarrassed I am. After a couple of sex scenes, I started skipping them to get to the plot movement and save myself from looking like a tomato on my lunch break.

Sidenote: Very sexy but goddamn, sex in literature is repetitive and weird. I don’t need a mental image of ribbons of semen spilling out like an Olympic twirler. But I suffered, so now shall you. You’re welcome!

The doc and I were meh at first and that lasted about halfway through. His struggles with nightmares, guilt, and self-medicating softened me up like butter in the microwave. I’m such a sucker for the tortured tryhards. I blame Angel and Spike personally.

Also, I must say, I’ve been cheated on repeatedly and am very sensitive to cheaters, yet this depiction and arc won me over wholeheartedly.

The K9 cop and I however hit it off right away. A single parent dating again and finding love after their heart being broken? Sign me the fuck up! No, seriously, where do I sign up for that program please?

I can definitely see this becoming one of those series that follow different characters around in each book while they find their happily ever after.

The only part I have issue with is the doc getting a Māori tribal tattoo when HE ISN’T PART OF A TRIBE. That’s just blatant unapologetic appropriation and the cop SHOULD NOT find that hot. He should instead KNOW better. He should’ve schooled him and helped him get a cover up, honestly.