Review: In Step – Jay Hogan

In Step, the third book in Jay Hogan’s Painted Bay series, delivers an emotional and deeply satisfying story of redemption, second chances, and love found in the most unexpected places. Set in the charming yet gossip-filled small town of Painted Bay, New Zealand, the novel brings Kane Martin—a man haunted by his past—together with Abe Tyler, a confident and protective choreographer who sees beyond Kane’s mistakes. For fans of heartfelt small-town romances with complex characters, In Step offers a poignant dance between vulnerability and hope.

In Step by Jay Hogan
Series: Painted Bay #3
Genres: Contemporary, MM Romance

Buy Links:Buy on Amazon

Karma. You reap what you sow, and KANE MARTIN isn’t looking for forgiveness. But the arrival of ABE TYLER in Painted Bay has Kane dreaming of the impossible. The sexy, silver fox choreographer is determined to pull Kane out from the shadows, but Kane’s life is in neat little boxes for a reason.

A past he isn’t proud of.

A family he’s walked away from.

A job he doesn’t deserve.

A secret he’s ashamed of.

But life’s dance can make for unexpected partners, and learning to trust and keep up with the footwork is the name of the game.

Two steps forward, one step back.

It takes two to Tango

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Reaching the final book in the Painted Bay series, we now have Kane as the protagonist—and I wouldn’t recommend reading it as a standalone. The presence of the previous characters and the town’s dynamic are deeply relevant here.

For those who read Off Balance and On Board, Kane’s backstory won’t come as a surprise. Introduced in book one, he was once part of the high school bully crowd and played a big role in tormenting Judah. Much of Kane’s arc centers on redemption and second chances, narratives I personally love.

Now thirty, Kane works at Leroy Madden’s mussel farm, feels aimless about his future, and carries a constant loneliness. In a small town like Painted Bay, his past with Judah left scars, and many have never forgiven him. Deep down, he dreams of leaving to start fresh somewhere new.

Abe Tyler, 44, a friend of Judah’s and a talented choreographer, comes to town for six weeks to run a children’s dance program. As Abe gets to know Kane, he begins to see the man beneath the gossip, a man worth knowing, and worth loving.

I adore Kane. This book isn’t just his love story with Abe—it’s also his love story with himself. We watch him grow into someone who dares to reach for the life he thought he couldn’t have. At the start, he’s lost and isolated, but over time, he finds love, friendship, and a sense of belonging.

The redemption arc is heartfelt and genuine. I appreciated how the book gave Kane moments to directly address his past mistakes with those he hurt, freeing him from the weight he carried.

Abe is the perfect match for him. When he learns about Kane’s past, he doesn’t judge, he listens. He allows Kane to share his side, and that respect strengthens their bond. Abe is protective in the best way, openly defending Kane and reminding others of the good man he is. I love couples who support each other so fiercely. Every small moment between them felt authentic and built the relationship beautifully. Mature characters making mature choices—yes, please.

“I want to thank you for everything. I’m not the same guy I was when you arrived, Abe, and you did that for me. You saw past the shit, and you looked at me. And you gave me a chance to maybe like who that person was for the first time in a long while. I can’t ever repay that. All I can do is say thank you.”

This is my third Jay Hogan novel, and one thing I admire is her ability to write mature characters without unnecessary miscommunication or erratic behavior. It’s refreshing.

I did, however, remove a star for the pacing—Kane’s confrontation with his father felt underdeveloped, while some other sections dragged unnecessarily. Like in the first book, Hogan includes a few subplots and internal monologues that could have been trimmed.

Still, I loved the series as a whole. From what I’ve gathered, Terry, Hannah’s father, has his own story in another series, and now I’m curious to check it out.

But for now, one thing is certain: Leroy still wins my heart (and my $20).

Final Rating: 4 stars!

Have you read In Step or any books from the Painted Bay series? I’d love to hear your thoughts—share them in the comments below!