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Mackenzie Country #4
The Geography of Happiness
One thing I know about Terry O’Connor—the man has complicated relationship written all over him, something I’ve avoided for pretty much forever. One thing I know about Terry’s hometown, Painted Bay—it’s a long, long way from my life as a Mackenzie Country veterinarian, and dedicated, carefree bachelor. All of which should be good news.
No reason to look twice at the gorgeous man currently staying at Miller Station with his daughter.
No reason to daydream about his soft lips, quirky sense of humour, sexy smile, or the way he blushes whenever he catches me staring which is far too often.
No reason to second guess my future plans or reconsider the no-strings lifestyle I’ve worked hard to perfect.
And absolutely no reason to feel disappointed that Terry is even less interested in a relationship than I am. I should be relieved.
Then why can’t I stop thinking about him and how right it feels when we’re together? Why does my heart spin at the very mention of his name? And why does the thought of moving on without Terry and his daughter in my life feel like the loneliest decision in the world
No reason to look twice at the gorgeous man currently staying at Miller Station with his daughter.
No reason to daydream about his soft lips, quirky sense of humour, sexy smile, or the way he blushes whenever he catches me staring which is far too often.
No reason to second guess my future plans or reconsider the no-strings lifestyle I’ve worked hard to perfect.
And absolutely no reason to feel disappointed that Terry is even less interested in a relationship than I am. I should be relieved.
Then why can’t I stop thinking about him and how right it feels when we’re together? Why does my heart spin at the very mention of his name? And why does the thought of moving on without Terry and his daughter in my life feel like the loneliest decision in the world
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2024
127 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Jay Hogan
25 books922 followersHeart, humour and keeping it real.
I am a two times Lambda Literary Award Finalist—2020 for DIGGING DEEP and 2024 for THE ART OF HUSBANDRY.
I have also received the The Romance Writers of New Zealand 2021 Romance Book of The Year Award for OFF BALANCE.
I am a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense primarily set in my home country. I write character driven romances with lots of humour, a good dose of reality, and a splash of angst. I’ve travelled extensively, lived in many countries, and in a past life I worked as a critical care nurse and a counsellor. My family love and somehow put up with me, and my gorgeous Cocker Spaniel thinks I spend too much time at my desk but keeps my feet warm.
Join my reader group to keep up with my news.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hogan...
You can also find me at:
https://www.jayhoganauthor.com where you can buy my audiobooks direct at a discount.
https://www.facebook.com/JayHoganAuthor
I am a two times Lambda Literary Award Finalist—2020 for DIGGING DEEP and 2024 for THE ART OF HUSBANDRY.
I have also received the The Romance Writers of New Zealand 2021 Romance Book of The Year Award for OFF BALANCE.
I am a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense primarily set in my home country. I write character driven romances with lots of humour, a good dose of reality, and a splash of angst. I’ve travelled extensively, lived in many countries, and in a past life I worked as a critical care nurse and a counsellor. My family love and somehow put up with me, and my gorgeous Cocker Spaniel thinks I spend too much time at my desk but keeps my feet warm.
Join my reader group to keep up with my news.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hogan...
You can also find me at:
https://www.jayhoganauthor.com where you can buy my audiobooks direct at a discount.
https://www.facebook.com/JayHoganAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
November 17, 2024
This is a funny one for me to review because, while I liked it, I also sometimes found it a bit difficult to get fully engaged in the narrative.
A lot of that was that I found Terry's character, while completely sympathetic to him and his situation, a little bit wearing in his repetitiveness at times. It's completely a me thing rather than anything to do with the quality of writing though.
His behaviour fully works for his story arc and the journey he's on, but I guess, as someone who's living with a disability which works in a very similar way to his daughter's in terms of needing aids and having to rely on carers doing things for me etc, I'd have been furious at my parent interfering with my life choices.
I know why he does it, he's not wrong to feel like he does, but I found myself struggling at times to be on his side when he was discussing the situation with Spencer.
That is, though, my only real niggle and it's a relatively minor one in the scheme of the book's plot as a whole, which is a very sweet, slow burn romance between two men who've never thought it was in their futures.
Both have dealt with a lot in their lives, both are hiding behind sky high walls, and both have an element of martyrdom to their behaviour at times which is fortunately easily susceptible to the other's efforts of coaxing them out of those patterns.
The Mackenzie plays as big a part as in the previous series', the landscapes are characters in their own rights, seeking to draw people into the small communities which call them home and which provide a haven for those looking to find one.
Hannah is a fantastic character who brings a lot of depth too, while never taking over the storytelling. Terry's devotion to being the best dad he can be for her is truly admirable, even with the blinkers he has on to his own fears about her growing up and no longer needing him.
I don't feel like we got to know Spencer as well, though we do get some insight into his childhood and why he's the bachelor catch of the county though, but I would have liked a bit more interaction with his brothers after they'd been a major part of his backstory.
But I completely got Terry and Spencer as a pair, I felt the instant spark that ricocheted between them when they first met, the surprise at wanting to spend more time together, the insane attraction and they way they simply understood each other.
Jay knows how to write emotion, she knows how to craft a complex plot that's given time to breathe and doesn't get beat points randomly shoved in simply to meet a requirement to cause tension. This is no exception and it fits perfectly into this series.
Plus, we get two new fabulous dogs to add to the Mackenzie collection and we also catch up with the other three couples who provide such heart to this series and we get a bonus link back to her Painted Bay series with Terry's best friend Judah and his husband Morgan, as well as the other gang there.
While The Science of Attraction remains my favourite one, each has brought fabulous storytelling that examines how people move on from traumatic or challenging life experiences but without ever miring the reader in a depressive experience.
I don't know if there's more to come, I hope so, because I'm not ready to say goodbye to this part of New Zealand.
#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review
A lot of that was that I found Terry's character, while completely sympathetic to him and his situation, a little bit wearing in his repetitiveness at times. It's completely a me thing rather than anything to do with the quality of writing though.
His behaviour fully works for his story arc and the journey he's on, but I guess, as someone who's living with a disability which works in a very similar way to his daughter's in terms of needing aids and having to rely on carers doing things for me etc, I'd have been furious at my parent interfering with my life choices.
I know why he does it, he's not wrong to feel like he does, but I found myself struggling at times to be on his side when he was discussing the situation with Spencer.
That is, though, my only real niggle and it's a relatively minor one in the scheme of the book's plot as a whole, which is a very sweet, slow burn romance between two men who've never thought it was in their futures.
Both have dealt with a lot in their lives, both are hiding behind sky high walls, and both have an element of martyrdom to their behaviour at times which is fortunately easily susceptible to the other's efforts of coaxing them out of those patterns.
The Mackenzie plays as big a part as in the previous series', the landscapes are characters in their own rights, seeking to draw people into the small communities which call them home and which provide a haven for those looking to find one.
Hannah is a fantastic character who brings a lot of depth too, while never taking over the storytelling. Terry's devotion to being the best dad he can be for her is truly admirable, even with the blinkers he has on to his own fears about her growing up and no longer needing him.
I don't feel like we got to know Spencer as well, though we do get some insight into his childhood and why he's the bachelor catch of the county though, but I would have liked a bit more interaction with his brothers after they'd been a major part of his backstory.
But I completely got Terry and Spencer as a pair, I felt the instant spark that ricocheted between them when they first met, the surprise at wanting to spend more time together, the insane attraction and they way they simply understood each other.
Jay knows how to write emotion, she knows how to craft a complex plot that's given time to breathe and doesn't get beat points randomly shoved in simply to meet a requirement to cause tension. This is no exception and it fits perfectly into this series.
Plus, we get two new fabulous dogs to add to the Mackenzie collection and we also catch up with the other three couples who provide such heart to this series and we get a bonus link back to her Painted Bay series with Terry's best friend Judah and his husband Morgan, as well as the other gang there.
While The Science of Attraction remains my favourite one, each has brought fabulous storytelling that examines how people move on from traumatic or challenging life experiences but without ever miring the reader in a depressive experience.
I don't know if there's more to come, I hope so, because I'm not ready to say goodbye to this part of New Zealand.
#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review
November 25, 2024
This absolutely pains me to rate so low but this book is a glaring example to me of why I don’t read romance novels with children in it as a general rule. Some of my favourite books have kids (Deal Maker by Lily Morton would be one) but those are the exception to the rule.
The romance between Spencer and Terry falls by the wayside here, with most of the book centering around Terry and Hannah and how difficult it is to be a parent, especially a parent of someone with a disability. Which Terry makes sure to remind every single person in the book who isn’t a parent. Spencer is a side character in his own story. The romance was weird, Terry was pushing Spencer away for the majority of the book, and the pacing was off. When Spencer and Terry first meet, when Terry finds a stray puppy, they end up spilling so many private details to each other it made me cringe a bit.
I didn’t feel like a lot of things in this book were very kind, and I was a bit bummed with where Spencer and Terry ended up in the end. It didn’t seem to fit.
I was initially super excited about this as I would consider the Painted Bay series (god I do so love Judah and all his imperfections), and this series to be two of my all time favourite series’, but there was way too much focus on parenthood for a romance novel with Hannah being more of a main character (a great one to be fair!) than Spencer.
The heteronormative ending of babies for everyone in the epilogue also made me cringe. Even Spencer talking about grandkids, as if Hannah would ever be having kids (I guess she could adopt?), was really pushing the “yay babies” no matter what ideals.
This is still a very well-written story despite my dislike - Jay Hogan never fails to impress me with how they encompass emotions and settings so well. There is no flaw in the writing itself, which flows beautifully. I did find Terry and Spencer’s chemistry to feel real, and I did believe their love in the end. It just kinda sucked.
The romance between Spencer and Terry falls by the wayside here, with most of the book centering around Terry and Hannah and how difficult it is to be a parent, especially a parent of someone with a disability. Which Terry makes sure to remind every single person in the book who isn’t a parent. Spencer is a side character in his own story. The romance was weird, Terry was pushing Spencer away for the majority of the book, and the pacing was off. When Spencer and Terry first meet, when Terry finds a stray puppy, they end up spilling so many private details to each other it made me cringe a bit.
I didn’t feel like a lot of things in this book were very kind, and I was a bit bummed with where Spencer and Terry ended up in the end. It didn’t seem to fit.
I was initially super excited about this as I would consider the Painted Bay series (god I do so love Judah and all his imperfections), and this series to be two of my all time favourite series’, but there was way too much focus on parenthood for a romance novel with Hannah being more of a main character (a great one to be fair!) than Spencer.
The heteronormative ending of babies for everyone in the epilogue also made me cringe. Even Spencer talking about grandkids, as if Hannah would ever be having kids (I guess she could adopt?), was really pushing the “yay babies” no matter what ideals.
This is still a very well-written story despite my dislike - Jay Hogan never fails to impress me with how they encompass emotions and settings so well. There is no flaw in the writing itself, which flows beautifully. I did find Terry and Spencer’s chemistry to feel real, and I did believe their love in the end. It just kinda sucked.
August 16, 2025
Returning to Miller station always feels like a warm hug, and with the Painted Bay crossover in this book that feeling was doubled.
It was so lovely to catch up with all of my favourite couples from the series, and to get to know Terry and Spencer more. I love the found family that Jay has created with these boys, and all the banter and silly snippets she shows of them together. Her stories always have a very wholesome feel to them, and are great to read when you’re in the mood for something lower angst and comforting.
However, I did feel as though this story was missing some of the magic that the rest of the series had. The romance between Spencer and Terry wasn’t developed enough for me, so I didn’t really feel the tension or connection there. It seemed as though Terry was more hung up on Judah than anything else, and the story was predominantly focused on his struggles as a parent and his daughter’s medical issues.
We also seemed to spend a lot of time going around and meeting all of the previous couples, which is great if you are a new reader, but having read all of the other books it just felt a little bit mundane. Terry as a character was quite unlikeable to me as well because of how overbearing and standoffish he is, and that made the story harder to connect with.
I also don’t like how the rest of the town treats Spencer because of his bisexuality, and how he is portrayed as being a manwhore and a commitment-phobe just because he is attracted to both genders. It feels very stereotypical and unfair to me.
Overall, this was a decent book and a nice return to Mackenzie County, but I personally wanted the story to focus more on the main couple and less on Hannah/the rest of the town.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was so lovely to catch up with all of my favourite couples from the series, and to get to know Terry and Spencer more. I love the found family that Jay has created with these boys, and all the banter and silly snippets she shows of them together. Her stories always have a very wholesome feel to them, and are great to read when you’re in the mood for something lower angst and comforting.
However, I did feel as though this story was missing some of the magic that the rest of the series had. The romance between Spencer and Terry wasn’t developed enough for me, so I didn’t really feel the tension or connection there. It seemed as though Terry was more hung up on Judah than anything else, and the story was predominantly focused on his struggles as a parent and his daughter’s medical issues.
We also seemed to spend a lot of time going around and meeting all of the previous couples, which is great if you are a new reader, but having read all of the other books it just felt a little bit mundane. Terry as a character was quite unlikeable to me as well because of how overbearing and standoffish he is, and that made the story harder to connect with.
I also don’t like how the rest of the town treats Spencer because of his bisexuality, and how he is portrayed as being a manwhore and a commitment-phobe just because he is attracted to both genders. It feels very stereotypical and unfair to me.
Overall, this was a decent book and a nice return to Mackenzie County, but I personally wanted the story to focus more on the main couple and less on Hannah/the rest of the town.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 16, 2024
A- / 4.5 stars rounded up
The fourth and final book in Jay Hogan’s Mackenzie Country series, The Geography of Happiness is an emotional and tender love story that delivers a very long-awaited HEA for a favourite character from the author’s Painted Bay novels. Terry O’Connor will be familiar to readers of that series as the best friend of Judah Madden and the father of Hannah, whose determination to learn to dance despite her JIA (Junior Ideopathic Arthritis) was a major secondary storyline in book one, Off Balance . His romance with flirty vet, Spencer, is swoony and lovely and full of warmth and tender moments of understanding and compassion, but of course it’s not all plain sailing, and there are moments of heartache and sorrow, too.
We meet Terry and Hannah – now a bright, confident and bubbly fourteen-year-old – again as they’re on their way to Miller Station, where Hannah and her mobility dog, Gabby, are going to spend a week working with Zach Lane ( The Mechanics of Lust ), in order to help prepare Hannah to live away from home when she takes up a scholarship to the Nolan Academy of the Performing Arts the following year. They’re arriving by helicopter, piloted by Zach’s husband, Luke, and are met on touchdown by their hosts, Gil and Holden. As they’re introducing Zach to Gabby and having a chat, a ute bearing the logo of the local veterinary clinic draws up beside them, and Terry watches as Holden and Gil exchange a few friendly insults and jibes with the driver before introducing him. Spencer Thompson is the local vet, and as he shakes Terry’s hand, Terry is surprised to find himself noticing the warmth of his skin and almost blushing at his lingering gaze. Physical attraction isn’t something Terry experiences very often, but there’s no mistaking it, so it’s probably just as well he and Hannah are only in the Mackenzie for a week. Terry doesn’t have room in his already complicated life for any more… complications.
From his previous appearances in the series, we know Spencer has quite the reputation locally as an equal-opportunities (he’s bisexual) lothario. He’s charming, outgoing, and funny, and decided early on in life that relationships weren’t for him. The eldest of four, Spencer was more parent than sibling to his three younger brothers because their parents were always working, and assuming such a lot of responsibilty at such a young age has left him jealously guarding his carefree, unattached life, scared of letting anyone get too close in case they want too much from him. He doesn’t quite know what it is about Terry O’Connor that has him so intrigued – and he probably won’t get the chance to find out; the man is only there for a week, he’s there with his daughter and chances are he’s straight. Besides Spencer has other things to focus on, namely the offer of a new teaching and research post at the Veterinary School of South Australia in Adelaide. He’s been feeling that he’s in something of a rut lately, and thinks a new job with new people in a new country might be just what he needs to shake things up a bit.
Spencer is getting ready to head out for a busy afternoon at Lane Station when he’s asked if he can see a walk-in, some out-of-towner with a stray dog he found at the supermarket. His exasperation melts when he sees the expression of adoration on the dog’s face as it looks at the man cradling it and cooing to it affectionately – and almost trips over his feet when he realises the man is Terry O’Connor, whose very, very blue eyes Spencer has spent a good part of the last twenty-four hours obsessing over. After looking over the pup and learning how Terry found him, their conversation shifts and the two men find themselves sharing things they rarely talk about with others. Terry reveals some of his struggles as a single parent to a child with a chronic illness, and Spencer talks about his childhood and his brothers – and as they talk, it becomes apparent that perhaps they have more in common than first acquaintance would suggest.
The Geography of Happiness is a moving and insightful story about two very lonely men coming to the realisation that maybe they don’t have to go it alone any more. They fight it tooth and nail, though, neither of them quite ready to believe that a romantic relationship between them could ever work for so many, many reasons. Terry became a father at sixteen and a single parent at twenty when Hannah’s mother left, unable to cope with a child with a disability. For the entirety of Hannah’s young life, she’s been Terry’s focus, and between caring for her and running his small business in Painted Bay, he has no room for anything else in his life. And to be honest, he hasn’t really missed it. He’s known for quite some time that, for him, attraction doesn’t work in the same way as it does for other people; he needs an emotional connection with someone and that takes time. Or it should. Yet with Spencer, it’s as though something has just clicked into place, even though they’ve only known each other a few days.
At forty-two, Spencer figures he has his life all worked out, that he’s happy being free and single, and that the move to Adelaide is exactly what he needs right now. But meeting Terry throws a big spanner in the works because Spencer is falling hard in a way he’s never wanted or expected to, and he’s forced to ask himself some questions he’s never wanted to ask himself before. Is he planning to leave because he genuinely wants a new challenge - or is he running away because he’s too scared to stay and try to make a relationship work with Terry?
The obvious love and camaraderie that exists between the Miller Station crew is one of the highlights of these books, and that’s much in evidence here. We check in with the other couples from the series briefly, and there are cameo appearances from the Painted Bay guys, too – most notably Judah, who, as Terry’s best friend, gets to give the shovel talk in his own, inimitable fashion. I liked meeting Spencer’s brother, Derek, who gets to deliver some long-needed home truths about their childhood that help Spencer put some things into perspective and start to heal the rift that’s developed between all of them over the years. Hannah is superbly characterised; she’s a believable fourteen, with all the curiosity and impatience that comes with it, and I loved her determination and belief that she can achieve whatever she sets her mind to. The author presents a realistic portrait of the challenges of parenting - especially being a parent to a child with a chronic illness – and showing how very hard it is for Terry to let go, to let Hannah use the independence he’s worked so hard to give her. We’d all like to wrap our children up in cotton wool, I suppose, and Terry has more reason to want that than most… so part of his journey is learning that he’s a man as well as Hannah’s dad, and that he’s allowed to have a life of his own.
The Geography of Happiness is a wonderful finale to what has been an exceptionally good series from one of the best authors of contemporary romance around. I’m sad to leave the magnificent Mackenzie Basin with its amazing landscapes and jaw-dropping scenery (and hot shepherds, pilots and dog trainers!) but I’ll be back for whatever Jay Hogan comes up with next.
The fourth and final book in Jay Hogan’s Mackenzie Country series, The Geography of Happiness is an emotional and tender love story that delivers a very long-awaited HEA for a favourite character from the author’s Painted Bay novels. Terry O’Connor will be familiar to readers of that series as the best friend of Judah Madden and the father of Hannah, whose determination to learn to dance despite her JIA (Junior Ideopathic Arthritis) was a major secondary storyline in book one, Off Balance . His romance with flirty vet, Spencer, is swoony and lovely and full of warmth and tender moments of understanding and compassion, but of course it’s not all plain sailing, and there are moments of heartache and sorrow, too.
We meet Terry and Hannah – now a bright, confident and bubbly fourteen-year-old – again as they’re on their way to Miller Station, where Hannah and her mobility dog, Gabby, are going to spend a week working with Zach Lane ( The Mechanics of Lust ), in order to help prepare Hannah to live away from home when she takes up a scholarship to the Nolan Academy of the Performing Arts the following year. They’re arriving by helicopter, piloted by Zach’s husband, Luke, and are met on touchdown by their hosts, Gil and Holden. As they’re introducing Zach to Gabby and having a chat, a ute bearing the logo of the local veterinary clinic draws up beside them, and Terry watches as Holden and Gil exchange a few friendly insults and jibes with the driver before introducing him. Spencer Thompson is the local vet, and as he shakes Terry’s hand, Terry is surprised to find himself noticing the warmth of his skin and almost blushing at his lingering gaze. Physical attraction isn’t something Terry experiences very often, but there’s no mistaking it, so it’s probably just as well he and Hannah are only in the Mackenzie for a week. Terry doesn’t have room in his already complicated life for any more… complications.
From his previous appearances in the series, we know Spencer has quite the reputation locally as an equal-opportunities (he’s bisexual) lothario. He’s charming, outgoing, and funny, and decided early on in life that relationships weren’t for him. The eldest of four, Spencer was more parent than sibling to his three younger brothers because their parents were always working, and assuming such a lot of responsibilty at such a young age has left him jealously guarding his carefree, unattached life, scared of letting anyone get too close in case they want too much from him. He doesn’t quite know what it is about Terry O’Connor that has him so intrigued – and he probably won’t get the chance to find out; the man is only there for a week, he’s there with his daughter and chances are he’s straight. Besides Spencer has other things to focus on, namely the offer of a new teaching and research post at the Veterinary School of South Australia in Adelaide. He’s been feeling that he’s in something of a rut lately, and thinks a new job with new people in a new country might be just what he needs to shake things up a bit.
Spencer is getting ready to head out for a busy afternoon at Lane Station when he’s asked if he can see a walk-in, some out-of-towner with a stray dog he found at the supermarket. His exasperation melts when he sees the expression of adoration on the dog’s face as it looks at the man cradling it and cooing to it affectionately – and almost trips over his feet when he realises the man is Terry O’Connor, whose very, very blue eyes Spencer has spent a good part of the last twenty-four hours obsessing over. After looking over the pup and learning how Terry found him, their conversation shifts and the two men find themselves sharing things they rarely talk about with others. Terry reveals some of his struggles as a single parent to a child with a chronic illness, and Spencer talks about his childhood and his brothers – and as they talk, it becomes apparent that perhaps they have more in common than first acquaintance would suggest.
The Geography of Happiness is a moving and insightful story about two very lonely men coming to the realisation that maybe they don’t have to go it alone any more. They fight it tooth and nail, though, neither of them quite ready to believe that a romantic relationship between them could ever work for so many, many reasons. Terry became a father at sixteen and a single parent at twenty when Hannah’s mother left, unable to cope with a child with a disability. For the entirety of Hannah’s young life, she’s been Terry’s focus, and between caring for her and running his small business in Painted Bay, he has no room for anything else in his life. And to be honest, he hasn’t really missed it. He’s known for quite some time that, for him, attraction doesn’t work in the same way as it does for other people; he needs an emotional connection with someone and that takes time. Or it should. Yet with Spencer, it’s as though something has just clicked into place, even though they’ve only known each other a few days.
At forty-two, Spencer figures he has his life all worked out, that he’s happy being free and single, and that the move to Adelaide is exactly what he needs right now. But meeting Terry throws a big spanner in the works because Spencer is falling hard in a way he’s never wanted or expected to, and he’s forced to ask himself some questions he’s never wanted to ask himself before. Is he planning to leave because he genuinely wants a new challenge - or is he running away because he’s too scared to stay and try to make a relationship work with Terry?
The obvious love and camaraderie that exists between the Miller Station crew is one of the highlights of these books, and that’s much in evidence here. We check in with the other couples from the series briefly, and there are cameo appearances from the Painted Bay guys, too – most notably Judah, who, as Terry’s best friend, gets to give the shovel talk in his own, inimitable fashion. I liked meeting Spencer’s brother, Derek, who gets to deliver some long-needed home truths about their childhood that help Spencer put some things into perspective and start to heal the rift that’s developed between all of them over the years. Hannah is superbly characterised; she’s a believable fourteen, with all the curiosity and impatience that comes with it, and I loved her determination and belief that she can achieve whatever she sets her mind to. The author presents a realistic portrait of the challenges of parenting - especially being a parent to a child with a chronic illness – and showing how very hard it is for Terry to let go, to let Hannah use the independence he’s worked so hard to give her. We’d all like to wrap our children up in cotton wool, I suppose, and Terry has more reason to want that than most… so part of his journey is learning that he’s a man as well as Hannah’s dad, and that he’s allowed to have a life of his own.
The Geography of Happiness is a wonderful finale to what has been an exceptionally good series from one of the best authors of contemporary romance around. I’m sad to leave the magnificent Mackenzie Basin with its amazing landscapes and jaw-dropping scenery (and hot shepherds, pilots and dog trainers!) but I’ll be back for whatever Jay Hogan comes up with next.
November 22, 2024
This is probably me, but I enjoyed the other three books a bit more than this one.
November 27, 2024
This series honestly makes me want to pack up and move to New Zealand - it sounds so beautiful there!
I did really like Spencer and Terry together but there was just something missing for me to give it a 5 like the rest of the books in the series. I think it was the pacing of the story, maybe? There's a lot all focused on the 4-5 days that Terry is staying at Miller Station, and then it feels like there isn't enough focused on the long distance relationship or even their decision making to figure out how they're going to make the relationship work. For me it made it feel a bit lop sided and then rushed towards the end, whereas the other books felt more well paced and well balanced.
I haven't read the Painted Bay series yet - it's on my TBR - but Terry did start getting on my nerves a little bit, even though I could massively empathise with him because I also have a disabled child. It's so fucking terrifying trying to protect them but not smother them, and trying to be a great parent but constantly worrying that you aren't doing enough!!! I totally get it, but he did annoy me no end because he was such a ditherer 😂
Spencer really changed my opinion of him in this book though and I really like his character much more now. Again, I can empathise with his childhood because guess what, that was my childhood too!! Been there, done that, got the tshirt and weird 'sibling but not quite' relationships too. At this point it feels like this series has been written specifically for me because I can identify with almost all of the character's issues - lucky them that they only get one and not the whole set 😂😂😂
I think this fit really nicely into the series, and I do hope there will be more books to come from the Mackenzie, but for whatever reason I just didn't connect as strongly with Spencer and Terry as I did with Gil and Holden, Luke and Zach, and Jules and Liam!
I did really like Spencer and Terry together but there was just something missing for me to give it a 5 like the rest of the books in the series. I think it was the pacing of the story, maybe? There's a lot all focused on the 4-5 days that Terry is staying at Miller Station, and then it feels like there isn't enough focused on the long distance relationship or even their decision making to figure out how they're going to make the relationship work. For me it made it feel a bit lop sided and then rushed towards the end, whereas the other books felt more well paced and well balanced.
I haven't read the Painted Bay series yet - it's on my TBR - but Terry did start getting on my nerves a little bit, even though I could massively empathise with him because I also have a disabled child. It's so fucking terrifying trying to protect them but not smother them, and trying to be a great parent but constantly worrying that you aren't doing enough!!! I totally get it, but he did annoy me no end because he was such a ditherer 😂
Spencer really changed my opinion of him in this book though and I really like his character much more now. Again, I can empathise with his childhood because guess what, that was my childhood too!! Been there, done that, got the tshirt and weird 'sibling but not quite' relationships too. At this point it feels like this series has been written specifically for me because I can identify with almost all of the character's issues - lucky them that they only get one and not the whole set 😂😂😂
I think this fit really nicely into the series, and I do hope there will be more books to come from the Mackenzie, but for whatever reason I just didn't connect as strongly with Spencer and Terry as I did with Gil and Holden, Luke and Zach, and Jules and Liam!
November 25, 2024
Finally Terry from Painted Bay’s story! This was very wholesome and lovely. As always with this authors work I love the New Zealand setting and familiar slang. There was some things here that I wasn’t too sure about but I was about to look past. The main thing that bothered me was that a lot of the end of the story was summed up in the epilogue rather than explored on page. Personally I would have preferred less page time spent on some of the other stuff and more on those key scenes. Would still very happily read more stories set in the Mackenzie country!
January 24, 2025
3+
OMG, ależ nie idzie mi w tym roku czytanie 👀
Jak tak dalej pójdzie, to swój tegoroczny challenge wyrobię tylko w połowie 🫤
Nawet Jay Hogan, jedna z moich ulubionych autorek, za bardzo mi nastroju w tym względzie nie poprawiła - bo było przyzwoicie, w kierunku do niezłego, ale tylko tyle. Spodziewałam się czegoś lepszego, zwłaszcza, że w końcu Terry i Hannah z Painted Bay dostali swoją historię w tej serii. Ale jednak jestem trochę rozczarowana i nie zaokrąglam w górę 🫤 Plus za osobę Hannah, bo świetna z niej nastolatka i zdecydowanie najlepszy bohater w tej książce, pomimo iż drugoplanowy.
OMG, ależ nie idzie mi w tym roku czytanie 👀
Jak tak dalej pójdzie, to swój tegoroczny challenge wyrobię tylko w połowie 🫤
Nawet Jay Hogan, jedna z moich ulubionych autorek, za bardzo mi nastroju w tym względzie nie poprawiła - bo było przyzwoicie, w kierunku do niezłego, ale tylko tyle. Spodziewałam się czegoś lepszego, zwłaszcza, że w końcu Terry i Hannah z Painted Bay dostali swoją historię w tej serii. Ale jednak jestem trochę rozczarowana i nie zaokrąglam w górę 🫤 Plus za osobę Hannah, bo świetna z niej nastolatka i zdecydowanie najlepszy bohater w tej książce, pomimo iż drugoplanowy.
November 25, 2024
3.5 stars I would have liked to have love this book.
Terry and his daughter, Hannah with her service dog where visiting to Miller Station to help with more advance training with Gabby🐕🦺.
Spencer, 42 years, was the local vet who meets them all on arrival at the station, Spencer takes a liking to Terry.
A great start to the book, I liked their first meeting and their second talk gets deep fast.
A rescue of pup named Miller joins the community.
Terry is facing hard decisions regarding his disabled daughter in the coming years despite her appearing to be older sole for 14.
This was an enjoyable story but at times the story didn't keep my attention. The characters are great in their rolls but this was on me with this story, although Ive loved other books prior.
Terry and his daughter, Hannah with her service dog where visiting to Miller Station to help with more advance training with Gabby🐕🦺.
Spencer, 42 years, was the local vet who meets them all on arrival at the station, Spencer takes a liking to Terry.
A great start to the book, I liked their first meeting and their second talk gets deep fast.
A rescue of pup named Miller joins the community.
Terry is facing hard decisions regarding his disabled daughter in the coming years despite her appearing to be older sole for 14.
This was an enjoyable story but at times the story didn't keep my attention. The characters are great in their rolls but this was on me with this story, although Ive loved other books prior.
November 18, 2024
Oh my GOSH it was so amazing to be back in Mackenzie Country! It had been WAY TOO LONG since I had my fix of these sexy sheep farmers!
Thank you for the ARC opportunity!
This installment is Terry and Spencer's story. I was SO curious about whom Spencer would end up with when I learned that this book was going to be his romance- I was absolutely convinced it would be Bradley- our very interesting ER doctor- but I think it just wasn't Bradley's turn yet. (Soon please though?!)
Instead, Spencer finds a connection with a character I hadn't met yet- Terry, a single dad from the Painted Bay series. If you haven't read Painted Bay, it isn't necessary to do so before jumping into this one, but I do think I would have liked it if I had, since a lot of those characters make cameo appearances in this one. I plan on re-reading the last 10% of this one after I read Painted Bay, because I can picture all the characters together giving me the happy swoony feels if I knew them all!
Terry's life isn't the easiest. He had his daughter Hannah at age 16, and raising her is exceptionally difficult due to her JIA diagnosis. Terry is doing his best, but his relationship with Hannah is strained as she yearns for independence, and Terry is terrified of granting it to her. Terry had to grow up faster than ever expected in order to care for his daughter, and while she is his whole world, he feels acutely aware of the things he never experienced as a teen/young man because he threw his all into being the awesome dad that he is.
When Hannah ends up needing a guide dog, Terry's path takes him from Painted Bay to Mackenzie Country for a week's stay on Miller Station, where Zack is helping train Hannah and her dog. HIIIII, ZACH!!!!! I was seriously EATING UP all of the glimpses of the Mackenzie boys I was able to snatch- Holden shirtless and captivating every man around was one of the big highlights. I missed those boys!
Spencer, our resident playboy vet, feels an insta connection with Terry from the first moment they meet, and it quickly turns into something a lot more. The deck is stacked against them of course- we have some pretty significant geographical challenges, not to mention the fact that neither of them was looking for, or wants anything to do with, a serious relationship. Terry has known he was into men for years, but never had the chance to really act on that, so his sexuality is a little confusing in his mind, in addition to the fact that he sees himself as unable to fit time in for anyone else, since Hannah takes up all of his time and love.
It took a while for them to get their heads out of their asses here, y'all. I am not going to lie- I think Terry was my least favorite of the characters in this series so far, and not because he had been tossed a tougher lot in life-- all of the Mackenzie boys have battled some seriously horrible events in their pasts. It was more because I felt him to be overly reluctant to change, to open himself up, and made it as hard as it could possibly be for any kind of relationship to form. I know this is Jay doing service to his background, and to the selfless way he really puts Hannah before anything else in his life-- but his unwillingness to give an inch felt so frustrating later on in the story, when I really wanted these two to FINALLY have some kind of a romantic interlude that meant something.
Hannah was an INCREDIBLE character- I fell in love with that girl's strength and ironclad dedication to earning her independence. I also fell in love with Judah, for the time that he was present in this story- his relationship with Hannah melted me, and his sassy and snarky attitude pretty much cemented the fact that I need to read Painted Bay NOWWW!
Grand gestures are totally my thing, and the way this one spun out here was brilliant. GO, SPENCE, GO. GO GET YOUR MAN. I really, really loved the way the Mackenzie men- Zach in particular- were so paramount in helping Spencer get his head out of his ass in order to be there when Terry needed him.
I am begging for Bradley the doctor to be featured soon in this beautiful series of men in the wilds of New Zealand... he intrigues me every time he is mentioned in these books- and I am dying to learn more about his backstory!
If you haven't read these yet, you will NOT be disappointed. Some of my all time favorite characters! I can't wait to dive into Painted Bay!
Thank you for the ARC opportunity!
This installment is Terry and Spencer's story. I was SO curious about whom Spencer would end up with when I learned that this book was going to be his romance- I was absolutely convinced it would be Bradley- our very interesting ER doctor- but I think it just wasn't Bradley's turn yet. (Soon please though?!)
Instead, Spencer finds a connection with a character I hadn't met yet- Terry, a single dad from the Painted Bay series. If you haven't read Painted Bay, it isn't necessary to do so before jumping into this one, but I do think I would have liked it if I had, since a lot of those characters make cameo appearances in this one. I plan on re-reading the last 10% of this one after I read Painted Bay, because I can picture all the characters together giving me the happy swoony feels if I knew them all!
Terry's life isn't the easiest. He had his daughter Hannah at age 16, and raising her is exceptionally difficult due to her JIA diagnosis. Terry is doing his best, but his relationship with Hannah is strained as she yearns for independence, and Terry is terrified of granting it to her. Terry had to grow up faster than ever expected in order to care for his daughter, and while she is his whole world, he feels acutely aware of the things he never experienced as a teen/young man because he threw his all into being the awesome dad that he is.
When Hannah ends up needing a guide dog, Terry's path takes him from Painted Bay to Mackenzie Country for a week's stay on Miller Station, where Zack is helping train Hannah and her dog. HIIIII, ZACH!!!!! I was seriously EATING UP all of the glimpses of the Mackenzie boys I was able to snatch- Holden shirtless and captivating every man around was one of the big highlights. I missed those boys!
Spencer, our resident playboy vet, feels an insta connection with Terry from the first moment they meet, and it quickly turns into something a lot more. The deck is stacked against them of course- we have some pretty significant geographical challenges, not to mention the fact that neither of them was looking for, or wants anything to do with, a serious relationship. Terry has known he was into men for years, but never had the chance to really act on that, so his sexuality is a little confusing in his mind, in addition to the fact that he sees himself as unable to fit time in for anyone else, since Hannah takes up all of his time and love.
It took a while for them to get their heads out of their asses here, y'all. I am not going to lie- I think Terry was my least favorite of the characters in this series so far, and not because he had been tossed a tougher lot in life-- all of the Mackenzie boys have battled some seriously horrible events in their pasts. It was more because I felt him to be overly reluctant to change, to open himself up, and made it as hard as it could possibly be for any kind of relationship to form. I know this is Jay doing service to his background, and to the selfless way he really puts Hannah before anything else in his life-- but his unwillingness to give an inch felt so frustrating later on in the story, when I really wanted these two to FINALLY have some kind of a romantic interlude that meant something.
Hannah was an INCREDIBLE character- I fell in love with that girl's strength and ironclad dedication to earning her independence. I also fell in love with Judah, for the time that he was present in this story- his relationship with Hannah melted me, and his sassy and snarky attitude pretty much cemented the fact that I need to read Painted Bay NOWWW!
Grand gestures are totally my thing, and the way this one spun out here was brilliant. GO, SPENCE, GO. GO GET YOUR MAN. I really, really loved the way the Mackenzie men- Zach in particular- were so paramount in helping Spencer get his head out of his ass in order to be there when Terry needed him.
I am begging for Bradley the doctor to be featured soon in this beautiful series of men in the wilds of New Zealand... he intrigues me every time he is mentioned in these books- and I am dying to learn more about his backstory!
If you haven't read these yet, you will NOT be disappointed. Some of my all time favorite characters! I can't wait to dive into Painted Bay!
November 27, 2024
I love this series, mostly because of the setting but also because of the characters. I wanted to read Spencer's story from the very first moment the flirty bisexual vet first appeared in book 1.
The Geography of Happiness (amazing title, by the way) tells Spencer and Terry's story. It's so much fun because Spencer's been the most desirable bachelor of Mackenzie Country for years and has not planned to fall in love and settle ever. Yet, when Terry and his daughter Hannah arrive at Miller Station, the tables turn very quickly for him.
Terry is a single dad caring for a daughter who lives with a disability. It is time-consuming, and he had very little time for himself, focusing on raising Hannah to be strong and independent yet struggling to let her be her own person. He's also demi and has not really had the desire to find someone for himself.
Terry and Spencer build a friendship in a few days that rivals years of connection. Yes, it is rooted in attraction, but it's so much more. Even the inevitability of the distance between their homes once Terry and Hannah go home can't come between them.
Their story felt fast-paced yet slow at the same time. Most of the book is set in the week Terry is at Miller Station, but then there are quite big time jumps when they try to figure out how they can stay friends or more. It's a bit strange pacing wise as I felt the stroy dragged sometimes, and it took me a few days to finish.
Both Spencer and Terry are well-built characters, both with their own stories and struggles, which are explored in great detail apart from their relationship development.
I also adored Hannah, and I appreciated how well her JIA is included in the story. Her struggles are very much interconnected with Terry's doubts and fears. The fact that her disability and the logistical and health challenges coming from it are such a big part of the story is great and well thought out.
Obviously, the country and small-town vibes are as good as ever. Especially because we have double trouble when it comes to small town gossip and antics. Not only the beloved inhabitants of Mackenzie Country but also of Painted Bay are here to give their peace of mind when it comes to Terry and Spencer's lives. They bring the much needed humour and lightheartedness that brings a little light to the more difficult topics discussed in the book.
I hope we'll have more in the series because I would happily go back to Mackenzie Country for many more stories.
The Geography of Happiness (amazing title, by the way) tells Spencer and Terry's story. It's so much fun because Spencer's been the most desirable bachelor of Mackenzie Country for years and has not planned to fall in love and settle ever. Yet, when Terry and his daughter Hannah arrive at Miller Station, the tables turn very quickly for him.
Terry is a single dad caring for a daughter who lives with a disability. It is time-consuming, and he had very little time for himself, focusing on raising Hannah to be strong and independent yet struggling to let her be her own person. He's also demi and has not really had the desire to find someone for himself.
Terry and Spencer build a friendship in a few days that rivals years of connection. Yes, it is rooted in attraction, but it's so much more. Even the inevitability of the distance between their homes once Terry and Hannah go home can't come between them.
Their story felt fast-paced yet slow at the same time. Most of the book is set in the week Terry is at Miller Station, but then there are quite big time jumps when they try to figure out how they can stay friends or more. It's a bit strange pacing wise as I felt the stroy dragged sometimes, and it took me a few days to finish.
Both Spencer and Terry are well-built characters, both with their own stories and struggles, which are explored in great detail apart from their relationship development.
I also adored Hannah, and I appreciated how well her JIA is included in the story. Her struggles are very much interconnected with Terry's doubts and fears. The fact that her disability and the logistical and health challenges coming from it are such a big part of the story is great and well thought out.
Obviously, the country and small-town vibes are as good as ever. Especially because we have double trouble when it comes to small town gossip and antics. Not only the beloved inhabitants of Mackenzie Country but also of Painted Bay are here to give their peace of mind when it comes to Terry and Spencer's lives. They bring the much needed humour and lightheartedness that brings a little light to the more difficult topics discussed in the book.
I hope we'll have more in the series because I would happily go back to Mackenzie Country for many more stories.
November 23, 2024
I love this series so far but this is the weakest of the bunch. I don’t care for Terry as much as Spencer or the other MCs in this series. He is pulling away from Spencer for a good 70% of this book. It gets old.
Spencer is so patient and kind.
3/5 stars for good writing and such a great backdrop of scenery. But not the best MCs for me. I found myself skimming to get past Terry pushing Spencer away and his control issues with his daughter, Hannah. I also never really cared for Judah much and his annoying self is back in this book as terry’s best friend. I didn’t get why Terry also had so much guilt over his previous feelings for Judah and why he needed to tell him. Judah doesn’t need to know that but Terry made it such a big deal. The dynamic was off with those two.
Spencer is so patient and kind.
3/5 stars for good writing and such a great backdrop of scenery. But not the best MCs for me. I found myself skimming to get past Terry pushing Spencer away and his control issues with his daughter, Hannah. I also never really cared for Judah much and his annoying self is back in this book as terry’s best friend. I didn’t get why Terry also had so much guilt over his previous feelings for Judah and why he needed to tell him. Judah doesn’t need to know that but Terry made it such a big deal. The dynamic was off with those two.
November 21, 2024
****4.5 "Best of Both Worlds" Stars****
The first Jay Hogan book I ever read was Off Balance, what feels like a lifetime ago. I fell head over heels in love with all things Painted Bay. This merry band of misfits is hands down, one of my favourite ensemble casts in any book series I've read.
How could you not love these people? The caring, flawed, snarky, fiercely loyal humans we all wish we could have in our lives. Terry was such a sweet friend to Judah, it was hard no to root for him. The ridiculously young single dad who always put everyone else, especially his precious Hannah, before himself. The quiet strength in the background of everyone's life, always ready to support his loved ones. I think it's safe to say we'd all been waiting for his HEA. In the meantime, Ms Hogan brought us the Mackenzie boys. Another group of unlikely people drawn together by the bonds of friendship, pain, love and loyalty. Merging them together? Yes, please. Thank you. More of this!
Good ole reliable Spencer. Vet with a heart of gold. Quick to jump in and help, crack a joke at his own expense and make moon-eyes at all the pretty boys. By Jules' book, you knew there was more there than met the eye. I'm so glad I was right. This one was a little lighter on the dramatic moments than the others in the series, but no less gripping. Watching Terry struggle through his decisions as a parent, second-guessing and feeling guilty. The fight to do what his daughter needed at the expense of himself; the moments dealing with medical complications? None of it is pretty and yet it all felt so real. Any parent will tell you they've been there. Moments of sheer panic and fear for your child. Of questioning yourself and all your choices. Walking the fine line between doing what you must and wondering if it'll make them hate you in the future.
Despite all that, they have one of the most beautiful relationships I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Throw in the love of all his friends and Terry finds the way through. Accepting help isn't easy and that's where Spencer's battle lies. How to convince someone who's always gone it alone, to let someone else shoulder some of the weight? Especially when you yourself have already been saddled with far more than anyone ever should at a young age. I think I'd be running away too. Thankfully he's got people around him to give him the kick in the rear he needs to get his life going.
I think I'm passed the point of high-drama romances that have the massive third act blowout thanks to ridiculous miscommunications or characters being immature and dumb. I so appreciated this one for giving us tension and drama, thanks to the inherently flawed humans in the story, but for also giving us a soft landing because, thankfully, these adults have enough self awareness to figure their stuff out.
Truthfully, you can never go wrong with a Jay Hogan story. You know you're picking up a beautifully written story that'll tug on your heartstrings, yet have enough snark to have you laughing out loud at the oddest moments. Honestly, the only thing that would have made this one better (for me) would have been a cameo of our beloved Cam when the Auckland scenes happen. I think had that happened, I would have screamed so loud, my neighbours would've heard me!
I love this series. The characters, the setting, even the animals. It feels like somewhere I've been even though I've only ever seen the place in my mind. You'll find yourself googling lakes and towns just to see if they're real and what they look like, and my god does this series do the place justice. The place really is it's own character, shaping the events of the story, the push and pull between everyone, and setting an incredible backdrop for all the events. Magic.
ARC REVIEW
The first Jay Hogan book I ever read was Off Balance, what feels like a lifetime ago. I fell head over heels in love with all things Painted Bay. This merry band of misfits is hands down, one of my favourite ensemble casts in any book series I've read.
How could you not love these people? The caring, flawed, snarky, fiercely loyal humans we all wish we could have in our lives. Terry was such a sweet friend to Judah, it was hard no to root for him. The ridiculously young single dad who always put everyone else, especially his precious Hannah, before himself. The quiet strength in the background of everyone's life, always ready to support his loved ones. I think it's safe to say we'd all been waiting for his HEA. In the meantime, Ms Hogan brought us the Mackenzie boys. Another group of unlikely people drawn together by the bonds of friendship, pain, love and loyalty. Merging them together? Yes, please. Thank you. More of this!
Good ole reliable Spencer. Vet with a heart of gold. Quick to jump in and help, crack a joke at his own expense and make moon-eyes at all the pretty boys. By Jules' book, you knew there was more there than met the eye. I'm so glad I was right. This one was a little lighter on the dramatic moments than the others in the series, but no less gripping. Watching Terry struggle through his decisions as a parent, second-guessing and feeling guilty. The fight to do what his daughter needed at the expense of himself; the moments dealing with medical complications? None of it is pretty and yet it all felt so real. Any parent will tell you they've been there. Moments of sheer panic and fear for your child. Of questioning yourself and all your choices. Walking the fine line between doing what you must and wondering if it'll make them hate you in the future.
Despite all that, they have one of the most beautiful relationships I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Throw in the love of all his friends and Terry finds the way through. Accepting help isn't easy and that's where Spencer's battle lies. How to convince someone who's always gone it alone, to let someone else shoulder some of the weight? Especially when you yourself have already been saddled with far more than anyone ever should at a young age. I think I'd be running away too. Thankfully he's got people around him to give him the kick in the rear he needs to get his life going.
I think I'm passed the point of high-drama romances that have the massive third act blowout thanks to ridiculous miscommunications or characters being immature and dumb. I so appreciated this one for giving us tension and drama, thanks to the inherently flawed humans in the story, but for also giving us a soft landing because, thankfully, these adults have enough self awareness to figure their stuff out.
Truthfully, you can never go wrong with a Jay Hogan story. You know you're picking up a beautifully written story that'll tug on your heartstrings, yet have enough snark to have you laughing out loud at the oddest moments. Honestly, the only thing that would have made this one better (for me) would have been a cameo of our beloved Cam when the Auckland scenes happen. I think had that happened, I would have screamed so loud, my neighbours would've heard me!
I love this series. The characters, the setting, even the animals. It feels like somewhere I've been even though I've only ever seen the place in my mind. You'll find yourself googling lakes and towns just to see if they're real and what they look like, and my god does this series do the place justice. The place really is it's own character, shaping the events of the story, the push and pull between everyone, and setting an incredible backdrop for all the events. Magic.
ARC REVIEW
November 30, 2024
Rating: 3.5
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: single dad, age gap, found family
The Geography of Happiness was a highly anticipated read for me, but sadly it didn't quite hit me in the same way as the other books in this series did.
It took a bit for me to get into this one, the story was very focused on Terry and his daughter Hannah, and it was clear that Terry had struggled for a long time, being a single parent to a daughter living with a disability. He was very protective of her and while it was easy to understand why, he also came across as very set in his ways and some parts felt too repetitive. I loved Hannah's character and the way she would stand up for herself and her independency, she was fierce and strong, something that Terry needed to be reminded of at times.
Spencer and Terry instantly found something in each other, and it was easy to get intrigued by how things would work out between them. I felt like Terry could relax a little more than he usually did when he was with Spencer, and their humour and banter had me smiling a lot. I also loved that Spencer could push Terry a bit out of his comfort zone and it was great to see how comfortable Terry was with him.
Their romance was a slow burn, for most of the story they were about to head in completely different directions and I honestly wasn't sure if they would fight for a future together. Terry kept pushing Spencer away, and while Spencer was very careful and patient with him, it quickly got tiresome. These two for sure had a lot of hurdles to overcome in order to find their happily ever after.
While I loved being back at Mackenzie Country and getting some glimpses of the other Mackenzie couples, The Geography of Happiness left me with some conflicting feelings. I overall enjoyed the romance between Spencer and Terry, but there were also some things that I sadly struggled with while reading.
-
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: single dad, age gap, found family
The Geography of Happiness was a highly anticipated read for me, but sadly it didn't quite hit me in the same way as the other books in this series did.
It took a bit for me to get into this one, the story was very focused on Terry and his daughter Hannah, and it was clear that Terry had struggled for a long time, being a single parent to a daughter living with a disability. He was very protective of her and while it was easy to understand why, he also came across as very set in his ways and some parts felt too repetitive. I loved Hannah's character and the way she would stand up for herself and her independency, she was fierce and strong, something that Terry needed to be reminded of at times.
Spencer and Terry instantly found something in each other, and it was easy to get intrigued by how things would work out between them. I felt like Terry could relax a little more than he usually did when he was with Spencer, and their humour and banter had me smiling a lot. I also loved that Spencer could push Terry a bit out of his comfort zone and it was great to see how comfortable Terry was with him.
Their romance was a slow burn, for most of the story they were about to head in completely different directions and I honestly wasn't sure if they would fight for a future together. Terry kept pushing Spencer away, and while Spencer was very careful and patient with him, it quickly got tiresome. These two for sure had a lot of hurdles to overcome in order to find their happily ever after.
While I loved being back at Mackenzie Country and getting some glimpses of the other Mackenzie couples, The Geography of Happiness left me with some conflicting feelings. I overall enjoyed the romance between Spencer and Terry, but there were also some things that I sadly struggled with while reading.
-
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
November 25, 2024
**4.5**
Another excellently written story from Jay Hogan. Terry (from the Painted Bay series) finally gets his own story and we get to know his life as a single dad with a teenage daughter who is disabled with JIA. Hannah is a joy to read, totally knows her own body and mind but still had the snark of a fourteen year old.
Spencer has been the much loved vet of the Mackenzie series so far but he's always seemed a little lonely, even with the amount of company he keeps. It's strange then, for both men, the immediate connection they share. With Terry and Hannah only in Mackenzie for a week, you'd think not much could come of it but even after a couple of days, it's clear that what they start to mean to each other is extremely important but not what either of them really have room for with everything else going on. That, and the fear of what it would mean to each of them. Terry has never really had a relationship, not even with Hannah's mum, and so to find himself so attracted to, physically and emotionally, is shocking to him in the speed that it happens.
It's a great read for me with the single dad trope, and disability rep, which I thought was written well from both Terry and Hannah's opinions. Though Terry clearly is less ready than his daughter for any big changes that may be coming. It's a slow burner, as demisexuality is discussed as a possibility for Terry but not really focused on. The ending seemed slightly rushed, in that we have the epilogue to find out how they're doing but all of the build up to that point is excellent. Lots of strong emotions, back and forth between will they/won't they. Meddling friends, from both sides are both funny and hugely supportive and what makes for such wonderful communities in the books that the author writes.
A highly recommended read from this author and I hope we have more to hear from these guys, especially Spencer's brothers who all have a tense history.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Another excellently written story from Jay Hogan. Terry (from the Painted Bay series) finally gets his own story and we get to know his life as a single dad with a teenage daughter who is disabled with JIA. Hannah is a joy to read, totally knows her own body and mind but still had the snark of a fourteen year old.
Spencer has been the much loved vet of the Mackenzie series so far but he's always seemed a little lonely, even with the amount of company he keeps. It's strange then, for both men, the immediate connection they share. With Terry and Hannah only in Mackenzie for a week, you'd think not much could come of it but even after a couple of days, it's clear that what they start to mean to each other is extremely important but not what either of them really have room for with everything else going on. That, and the fear of what it would mean to each of them. Terry has never really had a relationship, not even with Hannah's mum, and so to find himself so attracted to, physically and emotionally, is shocking to him in the speed that it happens.
It's a great read for me with the single dad trope, and disability rep, which I thought was written well from both Terry and Hannah's opinions. Though Terry clearly is less ready than his daughter for any big changes that may be coming. It's a slow burner, as demisexuality is discussed as a possibility for Terry but not really focused on. The ending seemed slightly rushed, in that we have the epilogue to find out how they're doing but all of the build up to that point is excellent. Lots of strong emotions, back and forth between will they/won't they. Meddling friends, from both sides are both funny and hugely supportive and what makes for such wonderful communities in the books that the author writes.
A highly recommended read from this author and I hope we have more to hear from these guys, especially Spencer's brothers who all have a tense history.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
March 6, 2025
STUNNING!!!!!
I am SOOOO happy to be back in the Mackenzie Country! Whew, I ATE THIS BOOK UPPPPP! It felt so easy to fall back into Jay Hogan’s writing and that just goes to show how incredible of a writer they are. Usually it takes me a minute to pop back into a series after not visiting it for a while, but I felt like I had just finished the last book and easily went into this book.
Holy molyyyyyy did Terry make Spencer WORK FOR IT lmaooo. That was incredible. But it never felt like too much or that it wasn’t justified. Terry’s fears were valid and I loved that Spencer never gave up along the way. He was willing to wait Terry out and get there happily ever after. It was so beautiful.
This story also includes a lovely teenage girl who has been diagnosed with JIA. I’d never heard of it before, but Jay writes it in a way that doesn’t feel like exploitation or romanticizing it in any way. In fact, there was zero romanticizing of it at all. My heart goes out to those navigating JIA!
And I am so happy that Spencer finally got his happily ever after. His character has been intriguing since he was introduced earlier in the series. He didn’t disappoint one bit. I looooove when characters who, like, only hookup and don’t want a relationship finally find someone they want a relationship with and they’re ALL IN. It’s just so good. I freakin’ love Spencer!!!
THE GEOGRAPHY OF HAPPINESS is a wonderful addition to the MACKENZIE COUNTRY series and I really really want more!!!
Thank you Jay Hogan for the ARC! 🫶🏼
I am SOOOO happy to be back in the Mackenzie Country! Whew, I ATE THIS BOOK UPPPPP! It felt so easy to fall back into Jay Hogan’s writing and that just goes to show how incredible of a writer they are. Usually it takes me a minute to pop back into a series after not visiting it for a while, but I felt like I had just finished the last book and easily went into this book.
Holy molyyyyyy did Terry make Spencer WORK FOR IT lmaooo. That was incredible. But it never felt like too much or that it wasn’t justified. Terry’s fears were valid and I loved that Spencer never gave up along the way. He was willing to wait Terry out and get there happily ever after. It was so beautiful.
This story also includes a lovely teenage girl who has been diagnosed with JIA. I’d never heard of it before, but Jay writes it in a way that doesn’t feel like exploitation or romanticizing it in any way. In fact, there was zero romanticizing of it at all. My heart goes out to those navigating JIA!
And I am so happy that Spencer finally got his happily ever after. His character has been intriguing since he was introduced earlier in the series. He didn’t disappoint one bit. I looooove when characters who, like, only hookup and don’t want a relationship finally find someone they want a relationship with and they’re ALL IN. It’s just so good. I freakin’ love Spencer!!!
THE GEOGRAPHY OF HAPPINESS is a wonderful addition to the MACKENZIE COUNTRY series and I really really want more!!!
Thank you Jay Hogan for the ARC! 🫶🏼
January 15, 2025
I should probably complained about the short-span of relationship time between Terry and Spencer -- I mean, less than a week, really?? BUUUT, now this is why Hogan is one of my favorite authors in this genre. The way she writes this book - it's about CONNECTION, you know - how two actually lonely souls just find each other ... it just HOOKED ME right on! And I believe in them...
I believe in Terry, a thirty-year-old single father from Painted Bay with a fourteen-year-old daughter that suffers JIA (juvenile idiopathic arthritis), and Spencer, the forty-two-year-old flirty vet from Mackenzie Country, and how the CONNECT.
I LOVED reading their conversations, and how they opened up to each other. I LOVED that they helped each other analyzed their own baggages. GAH! I actually wanted to read more pages about them... and this book was already Hogan's long (which means more than 300 pages romance 😄). I adored Hannah too, the daughter, and the dogs were all great! And those "annoying" friends (Gah, I feel like I need to re-read Judah's book)
I still grumbled a bit regarding the timeline, I felt like they needed more time for it. I also would love to read more of Terry learning about his sexuality - I wish it was blatantly written more as demisexuality, simply because I want to read more asexual/demisexual characters. And I loved to read more about Hannah's development in the academy. But in overall, this is a lovely, LOVELY book! Great addition to the series.
I believe in Terry, a thirty-year-old single father from Painted Bay with a fourteen-year-old daughter that suffers JIA (juvenile idiopathic arthritis), and Spencer, the forty-two-year-old flirty vet from Mackenzie Country, and how the CONNECT.
I LOVED reading their conversations, and how they opened up to each other. I LOVED that they helped each other analyzed their own baggages. GAH! I actually wanted to read more pages about them... and this book was already Hogan's long (which means more than 300 pages romance 😄). I adored Hannah too, the daughter, and the dogs were all great! And those "annoying" friends (Gah, I feel like I need to re-read Judah's book)
I still grumbled a bit regarding the timeline, I felt like they needed more time for it. I also would love to read more of Terry learning about his sexuality - I wish it was blatantly written more as demisexuality, simply because I want to read more asexual/demisexual characters. And I loved to read more about Hannah's development in the academy. But in overall, this is a lovely, LOVELY book! Great addition to the series.
November 23, 2025
The one with an unlikable MC.
November 23, 2024
4.5 stars. Terry O’Connor and his fourteen-year-old daughter Hannah are at the Miller Station. Hannah has a service dog and for the next week, at the Miller station, Zach will help her train her dog.
Hannah is a darling, who’s quite independent and finds Terry way over-protective.
He knows he’s guilty but can’t help himself. Yes, it’s a process.
Unavoidable Terry meets Spencer Thompson who is the Mackenzie Country veterinarian, a bachelor by choice. There’s a flicker of something between them.
Spencer never experienced feelings like this ever in his forty-two years and hadn’t planned to.
Terry is quite inexperienced, being a parent from when he was sixteen, he’s occupied 24/7.
The relationship between the two complicated men is certainly complicated as well. But boy, do they like each other! Just a casual friendly encounter should do, right? Right!
Did I say they were stuck on their habits about friendships and relationships? Gosh, they are stubborn.
Well, as an overprotective father Terry could be snappy at times, most of the Mackenzie cast are honest and reasonable about it.
Said Mackenzie cast is expanded in this story with the Painted Bays, Terry is friends with Judah! It was a blast!
The daily lives of the Mackenzie Country characters are just immensely interesting, I couldn’t get enough of them.
The author excels at story development from every angle. It is a gift, hard work of course, but a talent that’s for sure.
Hannah is a darling, who’s quite independent and finds Terry way over-protective.
He knows he’s guilty but can’t help himself. Yes, it’s a process.
Unavoidable Terry meets Spencer Thompson who is the Mackenzie Country veterinarian, a bachelor by choice. There’s a flicker of something between them.
Spencer never experienced feelings like this ever in his forty-two years and hadn’t planned to.
Terry is quite inexperienced, being a parent from when he was sixteen, he’s occupied 24/7.
The relationship between the two complicated men is certainly complicated as well. But boy, do they like each other! Just a casual friendly encounter should do, right? Right!
Did I say they were stuck on their habits about friendships and relationships? Gosh, they are stubborn.
Well, as an overprotective father Terry could be snappy at times, most of the Mackenzie cast are honest and reasonable about it.
Said Mackenzie cast is expanded in this story with the Painted Bays, Terry is friends with Judah! It was a blast!
The daily lives of the Mackenzie Country characters are just immensely interesting, I couldn’t get enough of them.
The author excels at story development from every angle. It is a gift, hard work of course, but a talent that’s for sure.
September 21, 2025
I always wondered why Terry looked so out of sorts at the end of Leroy and Fox's story. (On Board).
" Terry’s face was cut with deep lines and exhaustion in his eyes I’d never seen before. “I haven’t been sleeping well,” he brushed off my concern and promptly changed the conversation."
In Geography of Happiness, we find out why 🥲
The story is a powerfully emotional read. It stresses the strength of found family, and the power of hope. I've looked forward to Terry's story for so long and, although it was far from what I was expecting, I both loved it and found it moving. It's all about the love he has for his disabled daughter, Hannah, and how he's risen to that challenge, helping her develop into a stubborn, strong and kind young woman.
Jay really hit it out of the ballpark when she wrote this. Taking Hannah to Mackenzie Bay, Terry comes to realise all he's missed out on (although he has no regrets, as his life has always revolved around Hannah), and how lonely he actually is. Along comes Spencer, and he sees right through Terry. Spencer had his own problems, but together they both undergo a transformative journey and fall in love. It's beautiful to read how it develops, slowly (for reasons), and how they actually 'see' one another. One of the highlights of the story is definitely the supporting characters. Zach is his usual opinionated bossy self, I love how he loves putting people straight. Judah also plays a big part, he hasn't changed in the least, he's such a diva, but loyal and supportive to those he loves. The guys from Mackenzie and Painted Bay come together and it's glorious, Jay stays true to their characters, and I was reminded how much I love them all. Have just listened to the audible, and once again Gary Furlong totally cracks it! He captures the characters' voices beautifully, and the emotions of each one, especially Terry, were represented so well. He really made the story come alive. Loved it so much, will certainly listen to it again.
Such an emotional story, there are so many feels, from tenderness to heartbreak, to love 💕 Awesome story😊
" Terry’s face was cut with deep lines and exhaustion in his eyes I’d never seen before. “I haven’t been sleeping well,” he brushed off my concern and promptly changed the conversation."
In Geography of Happiness, we find out why 🥲
The story is a powerfully emotional read. It stresses the strength of found family, and the power of hope. I've looked forward to Terry's story for so long and, although it was far from what I was expecting, I both loved it and found it moving. It's all about the love he has for his disabled daughter, Hannah, and how he's risen to that challenge, helping her develop into a stubborn, strong and kind young woman.
Jay really hit it out of the ballpark when she wrote this. Taking Hannah to Mackenzie Bay, Terry comes to realise all he's missed out on (although he has no regrets, as his life has always revolved around Hannah), and how lonely he actually is. Along comes Spencer, and he sees right through Terry. Spencer had his own problems, but together they both undergo a transformative journey and fall in love. It's beautiful to read how it develops, slowly (for reasons), and how they actually 'see' one another. One of the highlights of the story is definitely the supporting characters. Zach is his usual opinionated bossy self, I love how he loves putting people straight. Judah also plays a big part, he hasn't changed in the least, he's such a diva, but loyal and supportive to those he loves. The guys from Mackenzie and Painted Bay come together and it's glorious, Jay stays true to their characters, and I was reminded how much I love them all. Have just listened to the audible, and once again Gary Furlong totally cracks it! He captures the characters' voices beautifully, and the emotions of each one, especially Terry, were represented so well. He really made the story come alive. Loved it so much, will certainly listen to it again.
Such an emotional story, there are so many feels, from tenderness to heartbreak, to love 💕 Awesome story😊
April 15, 2025
4/13 to 4/15/2025- listened to the newly released audiobook narrated by Gary Furlong- superb narration by one of my favorite narrators. A for narration. I recommend this on audio.
4.5
I admit I've waffled between a B+ and an A-, but I decided to go with the A- because of the quality of the writing. Jay Hogan is a marvelous writer and has published consistently excellent books for years. The reason I was thinking about an B+ first was that this book sometimes felt more like an adult "coming of age" story than a romance. Yes, there is a romance and in the end it's very satisfying, but how they get there is more about each MC "growing up," not so much in maturity, but in life possibilities. Both Spencer and Terry (side character in Hogan's Painted Bay series) needed to confront their pasts, look hard at the present, and decide if they are going to grow and change, or stay stuck.
Terry wasn't easy for me to like at first, although I understood his anger and defensiveness and I thought it was realistically portrayed. I also had a great deal of respect for him. His prickliness fit, but it didn't make him warm and approachable.
I enjoyed catching up with the couples from Off Balance, plus the couples from the previous Mackensie Country books. It wasn't too much, just enough to make me smile. Overall I recommend this book to all of Jay Hogan's fans, and to those new to her as well, although since she's so good, it would be even better to start back with the Painted Bay series before tackling this one. You won't be disappointed.
4.5
I admit I've waffled between a B+ and an A-, but I decided to go with the A- because of the quality of the writing. Jay Hogan is a marvelous writer and has published consistently excellent books for years. The reason I was thinking about an B+ first was that this book sometimes felt more like an adult "coming of age" story than a romance. Yes, there is a romance and in the end it's very satisfying, but how they get there is more about each MC "growing up," not so much in maturity, but in life possibilities. Both Spencer and Terry (side character in Hogan's Painted Bay series) needed to confront their pasts, look hard at the present, and decide if they are going to grow and change, or stay stuck.
Terry wasn't easy for me to like at first, although I understood his anger and defensiveness and I thought it was realistically portrayed. I also had a great deal of respect for him. His prickliness fit, but it didn't make him warm and approachable.
I enjoyed catching up with the couples from Off Balance, plus the couples from the previous Mackensie Country books. It wasn't too much, just enough to make me smile. Overall I recommend this book to all of Jay Hogan's fans, and to those new to her as well, although since she's so good, it would be even better to start back with the Painted Bay series before tackling this one. You won't be disappointed.
March 4, 2025
Almost want to read the rest in the series. I was annoyed sometimes but there were a ton of great moments.
November 30, 2024
I've loved the previous books of this series very much, but I didn't enjoy this one so much. It was different from the other stories and I just didn't click with it.
I was looking forward to Spencer's story from the first time he made an appearance in the first book. He was this funny vet, flirting all the time with everyone he crossed paths with and with a reputation of being a playboy, that I needed to know when he'd find someone to make him settle down. Terry was the one, a guy with a disabled teenage girl that comes to the Mackenzie basin to get her help so she can lead a life on her own.
The story was beautiful because Terry struggled to make a decision regarding his daughter's future. He had been a single father his whole life and he just couldn't take that step that would change their lives forever. Spencer came across putting his life upside down, but at the same time the Vet made him see there was more to life and that he was still young to live a fulfilling life.
I liked the friendship both men formed from the beginning, how both acknowledged there was a strong attraction that made them want to be together. Timing didn't seem to be in their favour though, but I loved how they both talked and once Spencer decided Terry was it for him, he was willing to do anything to make it work.
What I didn't quite like was that this book was very slow. There was not much romance going on for a long time and it felt like it was mostly Terry fighting his demons. Spencer also had a sort of traumatic past, but it wasn't as important as it seemed to be Terry's situation. I missed reading more about them being together, I wish their romantic relationship had started earlier in the book.
Then the epilogue felt long and rushed. Everything seemed to happen in the epilogue and it was like a short story on its own as it depicted everything I had been waiting to read in the novel but only in several pages.
It was a good book, well written and with a touching story, but in my opinion it lacked romance and interactions between the MCs.
I was looking forward to Spencer's story from the first time he made an appearance in the first book. He was this funny vet, flirting all the time with everyone he crossed paths with and with a reputation of being a playboy, that I needed to know when he'd find someone to make him settle down. Terry was the one, a guy with a disabled teenage girl that comes to the Mackenzie basin to get her help so she can lead a life on her own.
The story was beautiful because Terry struggled to make a decision regarding his daughter's future. He had been a single father his whole life and he just couldn't take that step that would change their lives forever. Spencer came across putting his life upside down, but at the same time the Vet made him see there was more to life and that he was still young to live a fulfilling life.
I liked the friendship both men formed from the beginning, how both acknowledged there was a strong attraction that made them want to be together. Timing didn't seem to be in their favour though, but I loved how they both talked and once Spencer decided Terry was it for him, he was willing to do anything to make it work.
What I didn't quite like was that this book was very slow. There was not much romance going on for a long time and it felt like it was mostly Terry fighting his demons. Spencer also had a sort of traumatic past, but it wasn't as important as it seemed to be Terry's situation. I missed reading more about them being together, I wish their romantic relationship had started earlier in the book.
Then the epilogue felt long and rushed. Everything seemed to happen in the epilogue and it was like a short story on its own as it depicted everything I had been waiting to read in the novel but only in several pages.
It was a good book, well written and with a touching story, but in my opinion it lacked romance and interactions between the MCs.
April 4, 2025
M/M
Single parent full time
14 y o Daughter with physical illness and adorable service dog
Age gap
Found family
Met on Vacation
Partly LD relationship
Arc Audio review
Story = 2.5 stars
Narration = 5 stars
I struggled so hard to get through this. The first reason I struggled was the book felt so wordy and felt like it was dragging on and on with info that should have been cut out. It could not hold my attention at all. I was bored. D was not a likeable character. He really got on my nerves. I really liked Spencer but the book felt like it was a father/daughter story with Spencer just sprinkled a bit in the background. The book is mostly about Hannah trying to prove to her dad that she's independent even though she's 14 because she received early admission to a far away school. No matter how hard she worked and all the teachers and therapists fought for her, he repeatedly would say no, risking her future because he was too whiney to let go. It really made me not like him cause he wasn't even giving her a chance. I kept waiting for when the relationship was actually going to make an appearance and got sick of waiting. Zero chemistry felt and Spencer could do so much better.
This was the first book I've read by this author and I'm not sure I'd read them again if this is how they write.
The author did a good job. His voice was pleasant to listen to and he expreseed all the emotions wonderfully bringing the story to life. I did speed it up some. He did great giving the side characters their own distinct voice but I found the 2 MCs to be too similar.
Single parent full time
14 y o Daughter with physical illness and adorable service dog
Age gap
Found family
Met on Vacation
Partly LD relationship
Arc Audio review
Story = 2.5 stars
Narration = 5 stars
I struggled so hard to get through this. The first reason I struggled was the book felt so wordy and felt like it was dragging on and on with info that should have been cut out. It could not hold my attention at all. I was bored. D was not a likeable character. He really got on my nerves. I really liked Spencer but the book felt like it was a father/daughter story with Spencer just sprinkled a bit in the background. The book is mostly about Hannah trying to prove to her dad that she's independent even though she's 14 because she received early admission to a far away school. No matter how hard she worked and all the teachers and therapists fought for her, he repeatedly would say no, risking her future because he was too whiney to let go. It really made me not like him cause he wasn't even giving her a chance. I kept waiting for when the relationship was actually going to make an appearance and got sick of waiting. Zero chemistry felt and Spencer could do so much better.
This was the first book I've read by this author and I'm not sure I'd read them again if this is how they write.
The author did a good job. His voice was pleasant to listen to and he expreseed all the emotions wonderfully bringing the story to life. I did speed it up some. He did great giving the side characters their own distinct voice but I found the 2 MCs to be too similar.
November 22, 2024
4⭐️
1.5🌶️
ARC review:
Ever since meeting Terry in the Painted Bay Series & Spencer in the Mackenzie Country Series, I’ve been hoping for their stories. So how nice of a surprise it was to learn they were getting one together!
The quiet and reserved single dad and the “love gives me hives” single guy actually made a sweet pair. But trust that Spencer had to work for it 😅 while I understood and empathized a lot with Terry, you can be a great parent and still make time for yourself and that’s something he had to come to terms with and learn on his own. Constantly being the friend others need but never letting them be a friend back is not a way to live and Spencer helped show him that.
I’m going to be honest, I wasn’t sure how it would all end up working out. Would they end up in Painted Bay or Oakwood? They both had lives and businesses, but I liked how it ended up. I do kinda wish the epilogue would’ve gave a smidge more, it felt a little rushed. And I do wish there was a bit more relationship building shown instead of just told. But overall it wrapped up nicely and was a sweet edition to this world, though Jay did get me in the end and I definitely got teary eyed with a certain Gil scene.
Anyways, I know Jay is taking a break from this world for now, but I do hope she returns with more stories at some point ❤️
**all thoughts & opinions are my own**
1.5🌶️
ARC review:
Ever since meeting Terry in the Painted Bay Series & Spencer in the Mackenzie Country Series, I’ve been hoping for their stories. So how nice of a surprise it was to learn they were getting one together!
The quiet and reserved single dad and the “love gives me hives” single guy actually made a sweet pair. But trust that Spencer had to work for it 😅 while I understood and empathized a lot with Terry, you can be a great parent and still make time for yourself and that’s something he had to come to terms with and learn on his own. Constantly being the friend others need but never letting them be a friend back is not a way to live and Spencer helped show him that.
I’m going to be honest, I wasn’t sure how it would all end up working out. Would they end up in Painted Bay or Oakwood? They both had lives and businesses, but I liked how it ended up. I do kinda wish the epilogue would’ve gave a smidge more, it felt a little rushed. And I do wish there was a bit more relationship building shown instead of just told. But overall it wrapped up nicely and was a sweet edition to this world, though Jay did get me in the end and I definitely got teary eyed with a certain Gil scene.
Anyways, I know Jay is taking a break from this world for now, but I do hope she returns with more stories at some point ❤️
**all thoughts & opinions are my own**
November 24, 2024
The Geography of Happiness by Jay Hogan is book 4 in the Mackenzie Country series. I really loved this one. Spencer and Terry had instant chemistry, but even I couldn’t figure out how they were going to make things work. They were so different and Terry had his daughter, Hannah, to consider. The last 25% I think I cried more than necessary. Their story just really hit me in the feels. Both of them loved each other, but they were scared. I loved all the characters (new and old). I haven’t read the Painted Bay series yet, but I will for sure now. Jay Hogan does such a tremendous job of describing the landscape and what it feels like to live in this area of the country. The epilogue was great and I hope that we will get to return to this place in the future. I am interested in Spencer’s brothers (especially Derek). I just am not ready to leave these wonderful characters behind.
I received an ARC from Neon Rainbow Readers for my honest review
I received an ARC from Neon Rainbow Readers for my honest review
November 26, 2024
This book was good no doubt in that but it took me a little while to get into it. The characters were amazing, the storyline and the research the author has done on the health condition mentioned was written very well.
Spencer and Terry's story was slowest burn which was shocking as we have known of Spencer's reputation from the previous books in this series but I loved how carefully he conveyed with Terry and the patience of that man damn, was wonderful to witness. I liked all their interactions and few spicy moments we got in between were cherry on the top. This story also turns out to be a long-distance relationship kinda and we get to see all the emotions and feelings of both the characters which were amazingly written. Their HEA no doubt was so freaking satisfying, I loved it alot.
Hannah ( Terry's daughter ) was a great character and I loved her interactions with Spencer and also the cameos of other characters from previous books were wonderful.
Highly recommend this series.
Spencer and Terry's story was slowest burn which was shocking as we have known of Spencer's reputation from the previous books in this series but I loved how carefully he conveyed with Terry and the patience of that man damn, was wonderful to witness. I liked all their interactions and few spicy moments we got in between were cherry on the top. This story also turns out to be a long-distance relationship kinda and we get to see all the emotions and feelings of both the characters which were amazingly written. Their HEA no doubt was so freaking satisfying, I loved it alot.
Hannah ( Terry's daughter ) was a great character and I loved her interactions with Spencer and also the cameos of other characters from previous books were wonderful.
Highly recommend this series.
November 26, 2024
One person can change your life.
The perfect pairing.
These two were destined to find each other. Spencer and Terry and opposites in many ways and complement each other perfectly. Their story is challenging, complex, hard and forged over a long distance. From an instant connection to a cemented bond, they fought hard. They fought their feelings, they fought their fears, they fought their past to find a way to be together.
I love the detailed writing style. Full of emotions and beautiful scenery. (It'll make you long to visit New Zealand!)
Their connection is one of iconic romance novels. It'll give you all the feels and fill your heart with all the love of family, friends and soulmates. Such a wonderful story!
The perfect pairing.
These two were destined to find each other. Spencer and Terry and opposites in many ways and complement each other perfectly. Their story is challenging, complex, hard and forged over a long distance. From an instant connection to a cemented bond, they fought hard. They fought their feelings, they fought their fears, they fought their past to find a way to be together.
I love the detailed writing style. Full of emotions and beautiful scenery. (It'll make you long to visit New Zealand!)
Their connection is one of iconic romance novels. It'll give you all the feels and fill your heart with all the love of family, friends and soulmates. Such a wonderful story!
January 26, 2025
New Zealand romance !
In New Zealand, Terry has a daughter, Hannah who needs a service dog. We meet the cast and what a variety of folks they are ! When Veterinarian, Spencer sees Terry, a lightening bolt of love hits him.
Then we watch as these men ignore was is right in front of them.
Hannah has health issues and dreams that her Dad has trouble seeing, but he’ll do whatever she needs to do to be happy.
We see the struggles, awesome friends, great dogs, big hearted men, and the two love struck men’s slow burn.
This is another fulfilling tale from Jay Hogan.
ENJOY !
=====
In New Zealand, Terry has a daughter, Hannah who needs a service dog. We meet the cast and what a variety of folks they are ! When Veterinarian, Spencer sees Terry, a lightening bolt of love hits him.
Then we watch as these men ignore was is right in front of them.
Hannah has health issues and dreams that her Dad has trouble seeing, but he’ll do whatever she needs to do to be happy.
We see the struggles, awesome friends, great dogs, big hearted men, and the two love struck men’s slow burn.
This is another fulfilling tale from Jay Hogan.
ENJOY !
=====
November 25, 2024
This is a book about Terry and his daughter Hannah from The Painted Bay series. There's Spencer too, I guess, but God forbid we know more than he had a hard childhood, that he's charming, great vet, and sleeps around 🤷♀️ Terry is a mess. Cute, but the push and pull got old quick.
Then there's motherfucking Judah. I was really hoping to leave all aspects of Judah in Painted Bay, but here we are. He was never my favorite character. No, more than that, he's the most self centered, prissy asshole in literature and I hope he stubs his toe every day. I hate that guy.
There was stuff in the middle, but I skimmed.
Then there's motherfucking Judah. I was really hoping to leave all aspects of Judah in Painted Bay, but here we are. He was never my favorite character. No, more than that, he's the most self centered, prissy asshole in literature and I hope he stubs his toe every day. I hate that guy.
There was stuff in the middle, but I skimmed.
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