These two men who should have had nothing in common but turns out that they had so much in common...enough to find love in the small New Zealand town where their friends, the secondary characters... surround them with love and support. This little community isn't perfect by any means, but they make a noble effort to give comfort and support to those that need it. Right now, it’s a current haven for Morgan Wipene...it’s been unkind to Judah Madden in the past, and it’s not much better now. Judah wanted to leave and at sixteen he did just that with his ballet talent. Unfortunately, his Meniere’s has brought him home...not because he missed it but because that’s where you go when your world comes crashing down...that place called home. Eight months later, he's still trying to find some balance, to lick his wounds. He's having to work his family mussel farm with his older brother, Leroy, who is exceedingly angry. Judah doesn’t want or need that but it’s like so many things that are tough(er) when you have a chronic condition. We meet Morgan fairly soon into the book. He’s had lost his wife, Sally, five-years ago and having to learn to live again and he thought the little town of Painted Bay might just be the place. He takes a job as a fisheries officer in hopes of escaping the city and, to some extent, his family. He’s captivated by Judah from the first. He loves how graceful he is...how he looks...his quick wit and even his sharp words that he knows is hiding something more...a tremendous sorrow. Then he learns that Judah has Meniere’s disease, and he knows that this beautiful man needs to find his solid ground. He totally understands what it’s like to have your "feet kicked out from under you". We know almost from the beginning that they are going to be just right for each other. The story is emotional, and they do have to work for their happy place. You can’t help but feel so many emotions for them. The entire story is an example of Jay Hogan's perfectly balanced and captivating writing style. ( )

OMG! I said this book would be brilliant before I had even finished the first few chapters and it didn't let me down!

Judah and Morgan and the Painted Bay family, just melted my heart! I had tears and hold my breath moments and awwww moments.

This is a wonderful start to a new series and I cant wait to read more about Painted Bay!. ( )

Off Balance by Jay Hogan

The first time I read this I was blown away. I fell in love with the characters, setting and story and felt it was one of the best books I had ever read. When I saw a tour for the book I had to sign up. This is a book well worth reading and one that I highly recommend. It has stayed with me for nearly a year and rereading it was just as enjoyable as the first time when I met and fell in love with the characters.

What I liked:
* The location: New Zealand
* Judah: male ballet dancer at the top…until he was not, left home young, studied abroad, conflicted, outgoing and flirty, meets the perfect partner as he figures out what to do with his life after professional ballet
* Morgan: widow, fish and game officer, a decade older than Judah, caring and kind, generous, knows what he wants…really liked him and he was perfect with and for Judah
* The dynamics, dialogue, and interactions between Judah and Morgan and their open communication
* The family elements brought into the story – both Judah’s and Morgan’s
* Terry & his nine-year-old daughter were great friends and played a big part in the story
* The small-town community and how they interacted, reacted, and may have grown and changed over time
* The medical issue of Meniere’s Disease – a major factor in Judah’s life…and no doubt in other lives, too. Educational but not preachy
* Hannah’s shining moment and how it impacted Judah’s future
* The way it made me smile and care and feel…really loved this book

What I didn’t like:
* The bullying that Judah experienced in school
* Family members that were unkind…for whatever their own reasons might have been
* The losses sustained that more than one had to overcome then move forward from

Did I like this book? Definitely!
Would I read more by this author? Without a doubt!

5 Stars ( )