Digging deep

POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: Crohn's Disease/Loss of a Baby
DRAKE PARK: He has a complicated life. As a gay male midwife, he's used to "raising eyebrows". Add Crohn's disease to the mix, 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 and gone like dust when things get rough. Staying healthy is a full-time job without adding in any heartbreak, so a little loneliness is a very small price to pay. If he says it often enough, he might even start to believe it. One thing for sure, the cop who arrested him isn't about to change that.
CALEB ASHTON: He doesn't have a complicated life. He's a senior detective with the show more Whangarei Police Department; he likes his job and he is good at it. He works hard and he plays hard. He's 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 is 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?

First of all, I have to give this author, Jay Hogan, the highest praise for how honest she was with the readers about the chronic debilitating effects that some people suffer from Crohn's Disease. She didn't "sugar coat" it or keep it, or the young man that suffered from it, behind "closed doors". This by itself gave this entire book and its two main characters so much more credibility. I know they are fictional characters, but when a book is this well written those fictional characters can and will, soon become very real and vivid to the reader.

Drake was an incredible character. His Crohn's made him uncontrollably vulnerable; his personality was beautiful and, for lack of a better word...pure. The book is highly emotional throughout and there could/may/will be potential triggers due to the impact the disease has on Drake, and his relationship with Calab, and there are also pregnancy complications, and the dangers associated with Caleb's job as a police detective. These all bring some angst to the story. Anyone that has ever lost a baby may want to approach this part carefully or skip it entirely.

The characters are wonderful, even the secondary ones. They all add a lot to the story. We get to move along with Drake and Caleb's relationship. I loved the ending, although this was one that I wished could have gone on and on. But "all good things must come to an end". This ending, was "swoon-worthy", beautifully done, and a "happy ever after." I know that this story is going to stay with me for a long time, as it had a massive impact. It is without any question, a 5-star read. And again, I can't say it enough, please, pay attention to the trigger warning. show less

Phew, this book will remain in my memory.

I've got to admire Jay Hogan, the way she raises awareness about an issue. She takes on Crohn's disease, the least likely thing you think you could write into a romance. But she does it superbly. The effect was to elevate this book out of the ordinary.

Digging Deep is an intensely romantic, sexy - memorable - novel. Add in Hogan's comic skills and you have a good read.

If it wasn't overly long (12.5 hours!) and a touch repetitive about Crohn's, trust, and what-is-love confusion, I'd be happy to give it 4.5 stars. But I have very high expectations of Hogan - I've read all her novels that I can get a hold of in audiobook (about 12) - no thanks to local libraries from which they are strangely show more missing.

This novel has one of the best opening scenes...which ends in police detective Caleb Ashton arresting midwife, environmental activist and Crohn's sufferer Drake Park for entering a building to go to the toilet when entry is closed due to the protesters.

Another memorable feature of this novel is the stunning boyfriend abilities of boyfriend novice, Caleb. Who would believe that this no-commitment, fling king had the capacity for such focus where it counts - caring, devotion, passion. He is one of the most powerful lovers I've met in romance.

As in other Hogan novels, there is a colourful support cast of family, friends and work colleagues, and they are also powerhouses of loving. I was introduced to the phrase, "Let us love on you", uttered by one of his colleague/business partners when Drake needs consoling.

I'm not going to give a summary - read and enjoy. show less

Let's get one thing out there first. One of the MCs has Crohn’s disease. This is not a prop to make the MC 'more interesting', it's not mentioned in passing then ignored for the rest of the book. The author doesn't shy away from the problems of this condition in discussions or in actions. It isn't something that is conveniently forgotten at sex scenes and yet despite the inevitable talks and angst those scenes are sexy, considerate and tender.


Drake is prickly and has been hurt before and he's quick to use his condition (justifiably) to keep prospective lovers at arms length. You can feel his pain, his frustration with dealing with this condition every damn day. Forgetting for even a moment is not an option and even a simple meal with show more family requires military precision. Caleb is a sweetheart. An arsehole cop when we first meet him, and a commitment-phobe to boot, Caleb takes on the challenge of wooing Drake. Turns out Caleb is a thoughtful wooer and a previously undiscovered romantic.

Excellent writing and a lovely tale. Highly recommended. show less

Let's get one thing out there first. One of the MCs has Crohn’s disease. This is not a prop to make the MC 'more interesting', it's not mentioned in passing then ignored for the rest of the book. The author doesn't shy away from the problems of this condition in discussions or in actions. It isn't something that is conveniently forgotten at sex scenes and yet despite the inevitable talks and angst those scenes are sexy, considerate and tender.


Drake is prickly and has been hurt before and he's quick to use his condition (justifiably) to keep prospective lovers at arms length. You can feel his pain, his frustration with dealing with this condition every damn day. Forgetting for even a moment is not an option and even a simple meal with show more family requires military precision. Caleb is a sweetheart. An arsehole cop when we first meet him, and a commitment-phobe to boot, Caleb takes on the challenge of wooing Drake. Turns out Caleb is a thoughtful wooer and a previously undiscovered romantic.

Excellent writing and a lovely tale. Highly recommended. show less

I honestly have to say, I haven't read a Jay Hogan book yet that I haven't loved! And this was no exception.

Drake and Caleb are one of those couples you don't want to leave. One where you want to know exactly what they will be doing for the rest of their lives. In other words, those special characters that grab hold of you and create a place for themselves in your heart. Well, at least that's the way it works for me, lol.

They seem like an unlikely couple. Drake is dealing with his Crohn's disease and the lifelong effects that it will be having on his body. He has been burnt before by a boyfriend who couldn't deal with all the "drama" Crohn's disease can bring. Caleb is a self-confessed man slut who has never been in a relationship show more before. Seems like a match made in hell, right? Well, as they say, anything worth having is worth fighting for...

Jay Hogan manages to bring her characters to life every time. They are always interesting and engaging and suck you right into their lives and relationships. It's no wonder she's become an auto-buy author for me! show less

Well this was pretty amazing, but it was a very hard journey for Caleb and Drake to make it work. I wasn’t a fan of how Caleb was treated by everyone based on a general unknown (him not having had a relationship before), and frankly Drake was quite an asshole who only won points by being a midwife and dealing with a horrible chronic illness (I’m glad that I’ve read a memoir about Crohn’s). But these two ended up together somehow, and it was great how it all unfolded.

3.5 stars. Not quite 4 star territory for me, but I appreciated the honest and rare portrayal of an MC with a chronic illness who gets his HEA. The Korean-Fijian-Irish-Kiwi male midwife Drake Park is a memorable character, and it's easy to understand why he is both attracted to and leery of the attention from Detective Caleb Ashton, former fuckboy. The combination of cutesy/snarky and dramatic/almost tragic was a little odd at times and the last part dragged a bit while I waited for the two MCs to come to their senses.

When I was in college I took a trip with a group of friends, one of whom had Crohn's disease. I remember her disappearing into the bathroom frequently, and I don't think I was empathetic enough about her challenges. This show more book helped me understand what she must have been going through, but it's more than a public service; it's also a sweet and sometimes sassy romance. show less