REVIEWED by Danielle

TITLE: Think Outside the Box

AUTHOR: Ellen Holiday

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 200 Pages

BLURB:

Political radio host Ryan Ryder’s motto is “What I do is none of your business.” He refuses to label himself as liberal, conservative, rich, poor, straight, or gay. Ryan is a great on-air personality, but in daily life he has trouble making connections and feels no attraction to a rising pop star when she comes onto him after a benefit. Reporter Craig Ducey is a fan of Ryan’s who calls Ryan’s radio show to accuse him of being gay. Ryan blows him off on-air, but not before Craig hints at where he’ll be later. Ryan meets him, and their intense one-night stand blows Ryan’s mind.

As their relationship intensifies, Ryan starts to understand why people let society put them in a box. When he finally accepts who he is, he has a big decision to make. He can continue to hide from the truth and risk losing Craig, or learn to think outside the box of his own prejudices, and accept that placing himself into a category may not be the death sentence for individuality he’d once thought

REVIEW:

This story starts out very nicely. You get introduced to one of the main characters, Ryan, a political radio host while reading about him appearing in his show. You get introduced to Craig when you hear his voice over the radio talking to Ryan while trying to out him in public.

Despite Ryan getting upset and refusing to go into a discussion on air, something in Craig’s words and way of talking spikes an interest in Ryan. His first instinct is not to accept the invitation Craig offered him, but eventually he does and meets him.

They start a relationship that’s heavy, sweet, sexy and loving.

For me as a reader, a very comfortable read. It’s interesting to see them grow into their relationship, watching them deal with how to handle Craig being out and proud as they say and Ryan still refusing to place himself into a position of mentioning his love life or preference.

He is so focused on not being placed “in a box” that even his radio show gets affected by it. Struggling to find a way to stay true to himself and his beliefs and not wanting or willing to risk losing Craig, we find Ryan (over)thinking many options.

Here is where I found myself losing connection to the story and to its characters.

I had the feeling the story kept dragging, going over the same subjects for too long and taking a very long time to come to its conclusion. A shame, as I really liked the beginning.

I really loved the early instant connection between Ryan and Craig especially the way author Ellen Holiday gently made short shrift with the perfectly build man through one of these main characters  ( kudo’s for that).

That being said I definitely want to point out the very well-done ending to this novel and the easy way of writing by this author who was fairly new to me. She definitely spiked my interest in reading some more of her hand.

Rating:

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