Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Out in the Deep

SERIES: Out in College #1

AUTHOR: Lane Hayes

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 149 pages

RELEASE DATE:  August 26, 2018

BLURB:

Derek Vaughn is a little too serious. He’s a type A control personality with a penchant for order and a love of water polo. But he’s determined to enjoy his last year of college. The real world with a serious job and big expectations can wait for a few months. He’s going soak up every minute on campus with his friends and teammates before he moves on. The only possible kink in his plan is the new guy on the team… also known as his nemesis.
Gabe Chadwick has big Olympic dreams. His transfer between Southern California universities has nothing to do with scholastics. The degree is his backup plan. He’s not there to party or make friends. And he certainly isn’t going to announce his sexuality. But he can’t deny there’s something special about the uptight team captain. However, when an unwitting friendship and mutual attraction collide, both will have to decide if this is the real thing or if they’re about to lose it all in the deep.

REVIEW:

Nothing like an aggressive game of water polo to get the blood pumping lol. Holy crap, if you have never watched a match, you should. Those guys can be BRUTAL. But in this fun enemies-to-lovers, it just made the chemistry off the charts. I really enjoyed this book. Serious, but fun loving. And it caught me in the feels a few times too.

I tell you what, I was with Derek at first. I wanted to throat punch Gabe and many other things. He’s obnoxious, cocky, and an all out ass. Of course, Derek is a tad hot-headed, and prone to over dramatize. But these two are oil and water in the pool. They purposely do everything they can to push each other to the edge. The only problem is, Gabe smirks and Derek sees red. As much as I wanted to smack that smirk, I couldn’t help but giggle at Derek. It was so obvious Gabe was getting his goat and Derek feel for it hook, line and sinker. When Gabe joined Derek’s team, even funnier. Derek tried so hard to keep hating Gabe, but Derek was in trouble. Once he started to get to know Gabe, he actually liked him. A lot. When the truth came out about how Gabe actually felt about Derek, things really shifted.

I have to admire Gabe. Once you get to know him, he’s really not at all what he seems at first. Especially not in the pool. He’s driven, ambitious and very passionate. Unfortunately, it comes across as cocky and asinine. Ah well. Kids. Lol. Gabe didn’t have easy growing up. Oh it wasn’t abusive or anything, but knowing you don’t rank much in someone’s life, especially a parent, kinda puts a damper on things. And no, I’m not going into detail. But I admire him because he turned that hate and anger into something good. Something very good. Olympics aren’t an easy thing to get into. The training is brutal. No life. Not much of anything else. And he refused to give up on those dreams no matter how hard.

But Derek I admire too. He has done all he can to be what his parents want him to be, but honestly, he’s miserable. But things in his life are changing and he’s realizing it’s time to be his own person. No matter the outcome or consequences. And that takes strength and courage. To put yourself out there, never knowing how it will turn out. Bravery at its finest.

I haven’t read the blurb for book 2 yet, but I already know who I’m hoping it’s going to be lol. This is a good start to this series and I’m anxious to see who’s next. Pick it up and give it whirl! It’s romantic and sweet and all around good.

RATING:   

BUY LINKS: 

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