I’m still a relative newcomer to Jay Hogan’s writing but every book I’ve read has been a 5-star read and Unguarded didn’t break that streak. The Vino & Veritas books all stand alone and can be read in any order. Unguarded is told in first person, alternating between Tai and Emmett.

The characters in this book really touched my heart. I love stories about single dads and Emmett was a great dad to Leo; he was just a wonderful and caring person all the way around.

Tai was running from a bad relationship when he ended up in Burlington. He came across Vino & Veritas and ended up being referred to Emmett’s veterinary clinic for a temp job. He was out of his element with the animals but soon caught on and also ended up being a great help to organize the business.

Emmett isn’t out to many people as a bi-sexual man, including his son and parents, but when Tai shows up at his clinic, he is dumbstruck by his looks and personality. The attraction between the two is palpable but their relationship has many hurdles to overcome before they can be together the way they want to.

I loved how well Tai managed with everything that was thrown at him and how fiercely he wanted to be independent after his last relationship became a disaster. He was so good with Leo even though he didn’t have any experience with kids.

Both of these guys nearly broke my heart but Jay Hogan did an outstanding job of putting me back together again. Unguarded was an absolute joy to read even though it had me in tears in many places (both sad and happy). Books that get my emotions involved to the extent that Unguarded did are my favorite kinds of stories to read. I’m looking forward to reading many more books by Jay Hogan as well as the rest of the books in the Vino & Veritas series.

Reviews for Jay Hogan

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The final client of the morning was a grumbling, overweight Pekingese cross named Charles, with an attitude to rival Genghis Khan and an owner who refused to come in with her dog because she didn’t want the nippy little demon to associate her with any discomfort.

Under instruction from Ivy, Tai had the growling, muzzled dog wrapped in a towel and pinioned against his stomach, his expression caught somewhere between are-you-fucking-kidding-me and abject terror.

I told him what we were about to do and he stared at me in wide-eyed disbelief. “You did not just say you were going to milk this little guy’s anal glands? ”

I swallowed a laugh. “I believe those were my exact words.”

His gaze flicked down to the squirming dog, then back up. “Do I even want to ask why?”

I shrugged and pulled on some gloves. “The anal glands are two little sacs on either side of the rectum. Normally they get expressed every time the dog poops. Helps mark his territory.”

“Oh. My. God.” Tai rolled his eyes dramatically. “I think I dated a guy like that once.”

Ivy snorted while I grappled with an influx of images involving Tai with another guy and that whole territorial marking thing. I snapped the second glove on my wrist like an elastic band, hoping the pain might shock some sense into me.

It didn’t.

Tai got his freak under control and tucked Charles firmly back against his stomach. It was the first time I’d ever been jealous of the mutt.

“I know I’m going to regret asking this,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “But what happens when things don’t get expressed, on the whole anal-gland front? And I can’t believe I just said that.”

“Welcome to my world.” Ivy appeared from the supply room.

I caught Tai’s eye and waggled my eyebrows. He was hella fun to tease. “I’m so glad you asked that question. If they don’t get expressed naturally, not helped by poor diet and excess weight, then the glands can block and get smelly and painful. They can even form an abscess that can burst onto the skin.”

Tai’s mouth dropped open in horror. “Holy crap. And also—another date of mine.”

I gave a strangled laugh and realized I hadn’t had so much fun at work since . . . well yeah, it had been a while.

“Damn, that’s disgusting. The poor thing.” Tai lifted Charles to smooch him safely around the back of his ears. “We need to talk about your diet young man,” he cooed to the dog who, miracle of miracles, appeared to calm. “Fiber is the key, plus plenty of water and attention to timing. Clean, screened, and fit for a queen.” He glanced up with a wicked grin. “Right, Mr. Vet?”

Ivy coughed loudly, while every semi-functioning neuron in my body focused on only one thing that shall not be mentioned.

“I, yeah . . . I guess,” I managed to croak. “Although maybe not the screening thing, not for dogs.”

Tai lifted Charles to eyeball him. “Safety first.”

Ivy joined us at the table. “Okay, you two. Let’s get this done so I can spritz the room. Keep a firm grip,” she told Tai.

His eyes widened. “This is going to smell worse than I thought, isn’t it?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Think fishy.”

Tai got a tight hold on the wriggling dog. “Huh? Not my first guess. Okay, I’m ready. I have to say, it feels a little like an initiation.”

I flashed him an encouraging smile. “You’ll be fine. Now hold that tail up.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew, and sure enough—

He snorted. “Not the first time I’ve been told that.”

I shook my head, gently squeezed, and . . .

“Whoa.” He gave a long blink and jerked his head around and out of the way. “Ewww, Charles. That’s some nasty shit right there.”

I grinned from ear to ear, pretty much as I had from the minute Tai had walked into my clinic. I was so fucked.

Vino and Veritas Series

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