Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Out Of The Shade
AUTHOR: S.A. McAuley
PUBLISHER: S.A. McAuley, LLC
LENGTH: 368 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 21 ,2019
BLURB:
The hardest battle is the fight to be yourself….
Jesse Solomona has always tried to be the perfect straight guy–a cocky sports fan capable of drinking more than he did in his fraternity days and an expert at one-night-stands. That he hooks up with just as many men as he does women is a secret Jesse’s been hiding for years, fearful of losing his family and tight group of friends. He’s a Kensington boy–a group of guys that grew up in the same neighborhood and somehow all ended up back in their hometown. They, and his family, are the only things that still matter in his otherwise soul-sucking life.
Chuck Dunn, a tattooed and pierced sports photographer, has refused to step back into the closet since he was disowned by his family, but he keeps choosing men who can’t fully be with him. Finally free from a long-term relationship he should’ve ended years ago, he quits his high-profile gig in favor of getting back to the art of sports photography–documenting a local boxing club that works with at-risk teenagers. He may not have the same swagger anymore, but he’s working to be happy with who he is.
When Chuck joins one of the Kensington boys’ community center sports leagues, Jesse’s self-imposed rules are systematically demolished. But there’s one barrier Jesse can’t find the strength to break through–coming out to the other Kensington boys. Chuck knows hooking up with Jesse is a bad idea. Falling for him even worse. But he can’t stay away.
Chuck is damaged by his past. Jesse is frightened about his future. But, together, they may just be able to come out of the shade.
Reader Advisory: Out of the Shade is a standalone novel with an HEA that carries the following warnings–alcoholism, mentions of sexual and physical abuse, mentions of drug addiction, mentions of rape, attempted suicide by a minor character, violence, homophobia, closeting
REVIEW:
I’m a bit unsure how to feel about this book. I read it and then had to let it marinate in my head for a couple of days and I’m still not sure how I feel about it.
This story had so much going on that it felt as if it took me awhile to really get into the story. Then…it was only to see how the characters grew…
This was a hard book for me as it me a bit to really get into it. I mean, I liked Chuck…he’s a good character and he’s got some issues to work through but…I really related more to him. Chuck is that guy who was born into wealth and status, however, the moment that he came out as gay…he was disowned. I liked that he still made his own way and even though he’s dated in the past…he still tries to maintain good relations to with his exes. I really liked Chuck and it was nice to see his own growth throughout this book.
Jesse was a bit harder for me to get into…it took longer for me to really find my way to really care about him. I think it’s the frat boy drinking and fighting that seemed som damn popular with him. I mean, I get it…these guys are close and whatnot…but it just seemed that there hadn’t been much growth from their youth/young adulthood. But…as you get to know more about Jesse and what his life has entailed…you start to understand more. I like that Jesse had to work and work hard for his HEA. That he needed to truly put in the work in order to make his life better and his own.
I have to say that I did enjoy the secondary characters. They were really good at keeping our MC’s on the right path and being able to see the people in their lives and how they interacted.
This is a fairly angsty book…but it was by no means…too much…it was just having to deal with life and the effects that our actions have on us. One thing that I’m still unsure about is where in the hell does this book take place? It sounds like it’s in the US…and they talk about New York and Middle America…but I’m still confused as all get out…
I have to say that the note from the author at the end of the book really touched me and I was happy to read it. The notes in the blurb are pretty accurate and should be heeded.
RATING: 
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