Series: Out In College #7
Author: Lane Hayes
Self Published
Publication Date: July 9, 2020
Length: 210 Pages
Reviewed by Sammy
Synopsis
Roommates to friends to lovers…
Elliot-
I need a roommate fast. Even a temporary one. Beggars can’t be choosers. Going pro after graduation has been intense, and time is precious. Thankfully, Braden seems cool. He’s a little quirky…and very sexy. Of course, I would never get involved with a roommate. That’s a bad idea. Isn’t it?
Braden-
Moving to Long Beach seems like a no brainer. It’ll be a perfect chance to wind down before grad school and a nice respite from my folks. Plus, my new roommate is a great guy. A little messy, but sweet. Gotta admit, I like him more than I should. And we’re off to a strange start when a mutual friend hooks me up with his ex. Elliot’s the one I want, but going from friends to lovers is a risk. We could end up out on the serve…or we could win it all.
Out on the Serve is a low-angst MM, bisexual romance starring two roommates, one neat, one messy, beach volleyball, a lot of sand, and a little summer fun. This story is part of the Out in College series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Review
Elliot is living
his dream—finally graduated and now playing professional volleyball. All he
needs now is a roommate and he’ll be set. When his friend brings by Braden the
guy looks familiar and turns out to be a fellow ball player like himself—how
perfect. Plus the guys is easy on the eyes but there is no way Elliot is going
to get involved with his new roommate, especially since his last breakup really
left him turned off from anything more than casual, no strings sex.
Braden has his
life mapped out for him. A summer to act in a play, some beach time and then on
to grad school to finally work in his dad’s business. It’s all there before him
and now he has a place to stay as well. Elliot is fun—a slob, but fun. If they
can work out the cleaning thing everything is going to be great. Of course he’s
gorgeous but it wouldn’t be prudent to get involved with a roommate plus Braden
is only there for a few weeks—after the summer is over he is off to school. So
why does he keep wanting to wrap his arms around Elliot and taste his lips?
Lane Hayes has
released book seven in her Out in College
series and it is really quite sweet.
Out on the Serve may have crossover characters but it is definitely a
standalone. Elliot and Braden just work on so many levels and watching them
grow closer and maneuver the tangle of a pre-planned futures versus what both
really want from life is the gist of this story. Both men are bisexual with
Braden being newer at being out than Elliot. While Elliot’s mom is proud and
quite the character to boot, Braden’s mother is a strict catholic who struggles
with her son’s sexuality. It’s the idea that his mom really doesn’t want him to
be gay that keeps Braden from fully embracing his chance at happiness with
Elliot—that and the time limit that both know is at play.
Along with that theme there’s the best friend, Sophie, who
tends to stick her hand in everyone’s business and often seems to be
manipulating people and events to cause drama. I wanted to like Sophie but I must
admit I struggled mainly because there is so much hinting at the idea that she
is deliberately doing things to Elliot. For instance she sets him up with his
ex who really hurt him when he broke off their relationship. But why? Is it
just because she is jealous she can’t have Elliot. I wish there would have been
a final confrontation that actually discussed her reasoning and not just one
where Elliot finally comes to terms with her “planning” so I could be sure if
she is a nasty person or just a drama queen. However that is of small concern
when the story is done so well and the two main characters so incredibly lovable.
Out on the Serve
is a very satisfying new adult novel with honest and charismatic characters and
a beautiful romance. I love this series and can’t wait to see what comes next
from this talented author.
Giveaway
Enter the monthly review giveaway
contest ends July 31st
thanks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
