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Jay Hogan

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Digging Deep Kindle Edition

by Jay Hogan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.4 1,168 ratings

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2020 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Gay Romance

Drake Park has a complicated life. As a gay male midwife, he’s used to raising eyebrows. Add Crohn’s Disease and things get interesting—or not, considering the sad state of his love life. Experience has taught Drake that most men are fair weather sailors when it comes to handling his condition—gone for dust when things get rough. Staying healthy is a fulltime job without adding in any heartbreak, so a little loneliness is a small price to pay. If he says it often enough he might even believe it. One thing for sure, the cop who arrested him isn’t about to change that.

Caleb Ashton does not have a complicated life. A senior detective with the Whangarei Police Department, he likes his job and is good at it. He works hard and plays hard, happy to enjoy as many men as he can while he’s still young enough—or at least he was. These days he feels adrift for the first time in his life, and the only thing sparking his interest—a certain prickly young midwife.

But can Drake find enough faith to risk opening his heart again? And does Caleb have what it takes to cope with the challenges Drake’s condition presents?

Note: In this story one of the main characters is a midwife and there is an account of an emergency delivery and the loss of a baby.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B082VK61D6
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Southern Lights Publishing (December 16, 2019)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 16, 2019
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 873 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 342 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #221,949 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,393 in Multicultural & Interracial Romance (Kindle Store)
- #2,670 in Multicultural & Interracial Romance (Books)
- #6,896 in Gay Romance

Customer Reviews:
4.4 1,168 ratings

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Jay Hogan

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Jay Hogan. 'Heart, Humour, & Keepin' It Real.'

Two times Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Gay Romance— 2020 Digging Deep and 2024 The Art Of Husbandry.

2021 New Zealand Romance Writers Book of the Year for Off Balance.

I am a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense primarily set in New Zealand. 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 was a critical care nurse and nurse educator. I am owned by a huge Maine Coon cat and a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel.

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1,168 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the well-developed characters and the realistic portrayal of chronic illness. The story is described as touching, gripping, and educational. Readers enjoy the humor, wit, and balance between sadness and angst. The writing style is described as exceptional and the author's inner monologues are appreciated. The book provides an enlightening and relevant perspective on chronic illnesses. Overall, customers find the book honest and relatable.

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Readability Story quality Character development Humor Writing quality Educational value Authenticity Romance

23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging, with a well-crafted story and relatable characters. The story is described as extraordinary, enjoyable, and one of their favorite Jay Hogan books.

"...This book is so worth a read. This is going to go on my list of comfort rereads. And everyone needs a best friend like Daniel/Carmen...." Read more

"...think the plot and build up to the romance is well thought out and well executed. However:..." Read more

"...In other words, an awesome book by any standards...." Read more

"I really, REALLY loved this book...." Read more

23 customers mention "Story quality"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it touching, gripping, and educational. The plot and love story move well, and readers are happy with the ending.

"...There are no punches pulled in this story. Drake lives with Chrohn’s every day and has become accustomed to living his life around it...." Read more

"...It's not the subject matter. It was incredibly interesting to read a story centered around a condition /disease which is rarely spoken of...." Read more

"...I was very happy with the ending, but I would have liked a bit more assurance that Caleb and Drake were going to be okay health wise, but I think it..." Read more

"...Well done story all the way around." Read more

22 customers mention "Character development"22 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters. They find them beautifully written, with Carmen being their favorite. The romance is character-driven, and the characters are colorful.

"...I loved both of the main characters, and they really balance each other out and bring out the best in each other as a couple...." Read more

"Drake and Caleb are such wonderful characters, rendered in 3D, full of complexity...." Read more

"...And there are some amazing side characters, too!..." Read more

"...Thank you for giving us characters so real that I'm already missing them." Read more

20 customers mention "Humor"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor and wit. They find the characters lovable, flawed, and open to growth. The banter and connection between them is described as engaging. The story depicts a debilitating chronic illness in an honest and heartwarming way.

"...This book had me laughing, tearing up, and excited to see where both Caleb and Drake ended up...." Read more

"...It's excellent writing and an honest and heart-wrenching depiction of a debilitating, chronic illness that probably doesn't get the attention it..." Read more

"...This is a story of two individuals coming to terms with love, coping and most importantly trust." Read more

"...romances that I find it hard to take seriously, but the angst here was well balanced...." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They praise the well-developed characters, the author's formula for writing, and the honest portrayal of chronic disease. The buildup to the romance is well-thought-out and executed. Readers appreciate the sassy dialogue and explicit relationship development without being tawdry. Overall, it's an engaging read with a well-crafted narrative that is understandable and realistic.

"...The audiobook is pretty incredible too. Gary Furlong is just an amazing narrator." Read more

".../Furlong colabs and I consider Gary Furlong to be one of the most talented narrators out there. So, what's the issue with this?..." Read more

"...The issues they went through were understandable and realistic...." Read more

"Drake and Caleb are such wonderful characters, rendered in 3D, full of complexity...." Read more

11 customers mention "Educational value"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and relatable. It explains Crohn's disease well and offers a comprehensive overview of the topic. Readers appreciate the author's skill in presenting a person living with the condition. Overall, they describe it as an engaging, educational read that sheds light on an important subject.

"...But this book was very informative and I learned a lot about this type of disease, being a midwife, and a lot of other things I wasn't familiar with..." Read more

"...It's specific and enlightening without allowing the medical details to overwhelm the character-driven romance...." Read more

"...Digging Deep was an emotional, educational, touching story that brought light to a disease that is anything but...." Read more

"...It has all my favorite ingredients for a book: compelling, interesting main and secondary characters, an engaging storyline that unfolds like a good..." Read more

10 customers mention "Authenticity"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's authenticity. They find the writing honest and realistic, which is rare in romance novels.

"...The issues they went through were understandable and realistic...." Read more

"...As a neonatal intensivist, I can attest that her depiction of that scene was quite realistic. Well done story all the way around." Read more

"...It's excellent writing and an honest and heart-wrenching depiction of a debilitating, chronic illness that probably doesn't get the attention it..." Read more

"...Crohn's disease empathetically and (to my very limited knowledge) realistically...." Read more

10 customers mention "Romance"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the realistic romance in the book. They find the characters relatable and the sex scenes intense. The story offers an intimate look into the lives of two complex people and is gripping.

"...I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves mm romance stories especially ones with health issues...." Read more

"...will develop and roughly 30 to 40% into the book there will be mind-blowing sex...." Read more

"Another perfect love story about the realities of our imperfect lives. Jay Hogan writes about those things we don't talk about but yet are very real...." Read more

"This is not a fairy tale. It's a real-world romance where characters have to overcome real issues before love can reign supreme...." Read more

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Raven reads
This book is real
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2022
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Oh this is so good. Caleb and Drake both have their flaws and that is part of what makes this book so perfect. There are no punches pulled in this story. Drake lives with Chrohn’s every day and has become accustomed to living his life around it. But he has become the one who lets it control his actions instead of him controlling his disease. Caleb has never had a real relationship before but there is something about Drake that makes him desperate to try, even though Drake keeps shoving him away. This book is so worth a read. This is going to go on my list of comfort rereads. And everyone needs a best friend like Daniel/Carmen. This book is lovely and satisfying in so many ways. I just can’t say enough about it. The audiobook is pretty incredible too. Gary Furlong is just an amazing narrator.

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Jean
A drag. DNF
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2024
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ARC REVIEW DIGGING DEEP by Jay Hogan.
3 stars and a bit, rounded up to four.

I did not manage to finish this book (audio version) prior to this review.
My DNF is at 48% so I gave it my best shot.
I have read Jay Hogan before and I have huge respect for this author. Likewise, I have listened to other Hogan /Furlong colabs and I consider Gary Furlong to be one of the most talented narrators out there.
So, what's the issue with this?
It's not the subject matter. It was incredibly interesting to read a story centered around a condition /disease which is rarely spoken of. I think the plot and build up to the romance is well thought out and well executed.
However:
1) I do feel that there is too much time and page space dedicated to Crohns Disease, to the cost of the actual romance.
To quote another reviewer, who put it very well "I think the relationship was somewhat overshadowed with the overly descriptive parts and felt I was constantly being hit over the head with Crohn's symptoms and effects."
This became very tiresome and repetitive, to the point I wanted to start skipping chapters, and I hate doing that!
2)... The narration... I felt sometimes that Mr Furlong was trying too hard and overacting certain scenes, to the point where I found the scenes annoying and embarrassing rather than amusing.
3)...Side characters... As is often the case, "best friends and sidekicks" do not enhance the story, but rather interrupt and interfere. One of my pet peeves.
I liked Daniel very much, but lost patience with alter ego, Carmen for forever stealing the limelight.
To wrap up, I won't hesitate to rec this book. It's a good book! Just not for me.

Disclaimer : I accepted an audio review copy of this book and my review is voluntary and without obligation.

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Kindle Customer
- 4.5 to 4.75 stars -
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
*Spoilers*

I loved it. I absolutely loved this book. This was my first time reading a book based in New Zealand, which made this book even more interesting to me. I loved both of the main characters, and they really balance each other out and bring out the best in each other as a couple. The issues they went through were understandable and realistic. Before reading this book I didn't know anything about this type of disease and the impact it could have on their life and the people around them. But this book was very informative and I learned a lot about this type of disease, being a midwife, and a lot of other things I wasn't familiar with or didn't know. I liked all of the side characters as well, and I would have been interested to see if Leanne and Arron would be interested in dating each other since they are both single and are both not having the best of luck with finding a special someone in their life. This book had me laughing, tearing up, and excited to see where both Caleb and Drake ended up. I was very happy with the ending, but I would have liked a bit more assurance that Caleb and Drake were going to be okay health wise, but I think it also goes back to the fact of what Drake and Prim had said. That you never know what the future will bring. * Spoilers * I also am a bit curious about the whole displine kink they have going on. Like does Caleb like to be disciplined or does he like to discipline Drake? I was just a bit confused on the comment Drake made about Caleb's interest in that type of kink. Also, I would have been interested in seeing a scene with Toppy Drake going full out on Caleb, like both of them had wanted. Also, there were a few things I found confusing. Like the red hot poker sticks that was in the flower bouquet and the conversation in the epilogue about Caleb being versatile and Carmen calling him a little boy. I had thought Caleb had made it pretty clear he was versatile, just maybe not to Carmen. * End of Spoilers* Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to other people to read and this is definitely a book I will come back to re-read multiple times. I am hoping that since some of the author's other books are based in New Zealand that Drake and Caleb might make a cameo appearance.

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Mary G.
Terrific
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
Drake and Caleb are such wonderful characters, rendered in 3D, full of complexity. There’s is a hard fought HEA with quite a bit of angst along the way, making it even sweeter in the end. Jay has clearly done her homework on the medical aspects. As a neonatal intensivist, I can attest that her depiction of that scene was quite realistic. Well done story all the way around.

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Amazon Customer
This book is fantastic!
Reviewed in Canada on June 8, 2024
Verified Purchase

The thing I love most about Jay's books is how real the characters are. I stumbled upon this because I was curious if a book existed with a character who had an issue like this. I wanted to see if an author could still make it romantic and spicy and not treat the disease like a behind closed doors issue. Life is messy but that doesn't mean you can still find love! Jay does a great job bringing real life into romance and wrapping it all in a sweet bow.

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giannimortale
Eindrücklich und gut recherchiert
Reviewed in Germany on December 20, 2023
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Für mich war das das erste Buch, indem der Hauptprotagonist an einer Darmerkrankung leidet. Es ist gut recherchiert und zeigt eindrücklich, aber auch einfühlsam die Herausforderungen für die erkrankte Person selbst als auch für deren Partner. Dieses Buch löst Emotionen aus, lässt einen manchmal fast verzweifeln und dann wieder lauthals lachen. Gute Geschichte, sehr lesenswert

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sss
This book is so well written; vulnerable and emotive
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is all shits and giggles and yes, literally, shits and giggles; and crying and stomach cramps etc.. I am so glad that the author was honest with the reader about the chronic debilitating disease of Chrohn's and didn't sugur coat it or keep it behind closed doors. This gave the book so much credibility. I know these are only fictional characters but when a book is so well written they become real to me and these two MC's were so vivid. Drake was just an incredible character. His Chrohn's made him uncontrollably vulnerable; his personality was just beautiful and pure. This book is high emotion throughout and there will be potential triggers due to the impact the Chrohn's has on Drake, but there is also pregnancy complications and the danger that comes with Caleb's job as a detective which all brings angst to the story. I loved the secondary characters they all added a lot to the narrative. The epilogue is 6 months on so we get to move along with the relationship and the ending is a swoonworthy happy ever after. I know this book is going to stay with me for a long time, it had a massive impact; it is without a doubt a 5 star read.

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Renata T
5* romance!!!
Reviewed in Brazil on December 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
Caleb and Drake are the sweetest couple I've read in a while!!!! They have it all, the sass and the sexy. I had so much fun
This one is a must read!!

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Kindle Customer
3.5 stars
Reviewed in India on December 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
An interesting romance with much focus on Crohn's disease, a chronic condition which Drake has to cope with. Drake is a midwife, he is snarky, spiky when Crohn's is acting up and totally gorgeous. Caleb is the detective who has stolen Drake's heart, though it takes few stops and starts to get to their HEA.

The humour is snarky and colorful. Loved the NZ setting and the quirky family members especially Carmen, the drag queen and BFF of Caleb. The discussions on Crohn's are well written, though the author has gone overboard. The whole story revolves around Crohn's disease.

Altogether a good read. An author to look forward to.

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5.0 out of 5 stars This book is real

4.0 out of 5 stars A drag. DNF

5.0 out of 5 stars - 4.5 to 4.75 stars -

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is fantastic!

5.0 out of 5 stars Eindrücklich und gut recherchiert

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so well written; vulnerable and emotive

5.0 out of 5 stars 5* romance!!!

4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars

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This book is real

A drag. DNF

- 4.5 to 4.75 stars -

Terrific

This book is fantastic!

Eindrücklich und gut recherchiert

This book is so well written; vulnerable and emotive

5* romance!!!

3.5 stars