Reviewed by Anabela.m
TITLE: Out of Bounds
SERIES: Browerton University Book 7
AUTHOR: A. J. Truman
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 220 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 9,2021
BLURB:
The plan was simple: Play the Game. Get the glory. Stay in the closet.
But the plan didn’t include my childhood crush walking back into my life. First, he wrecked my concentration. Then my body.
For college jock Cliff, crushing it on the court is all that matters. Yet his tightly maintained status quo begins to unravel when he discovers Brennan, his brother’s smooth-talking best friend, is also on campus.
Brennan’s last minute transfer to Browerton was an escape from a relationship that left his heart in shambles. When he offers to help Cliff with a class project, lessons in sketching give way to sizzling sexual tension – and some fun with neckties.
But as Cliff’s star rises on campus, their relationship becomes less of a release and more of a liability to his NBA aspirations. Brennan fears his heart is bound to be broken again, while Cliff grapples with a decision that’ll come down to the buzzer: the game or the guy?
REVIEW:
Any reader who, unlike me, isn’t a fan of A. J. Truman and of this series, might take a look at Out of Bounds’s blurb and say ‘Oh, another closeted athlete, another best friend’s brother story. Why should I pick it up?’
Well, let me assure that, once you start reading, the first pages would definitely get you invested in Cliff’s story. You’d meet a young man who, even if at dinner with his family, kept himself emotionally detached. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦, as they called him, but only because he’s taught himself not to speak, afraid he’d somehow give away the fact that he was gay. He had hoped college would be his safe place, until the moment Brennan showed up – Cliff’s biggest temptation, the man who, years back, completely cleared any doubts about his sexuality…and his brother’s best friend.
And, no doubt, you’ll fall for Brennan, too. All smiles on the outside, yet the loneliest, the most insecure on the inside. The transfer to Browerton was supposed to be a new start after a failed relationship has left him with a broken heart, a shattered self-confidence and without inspiration for his art.
When Cliff and Brennan were given the chance to spend more time together, this became the story of two young men who found solace in the other, an understanding sounding board and support. They just clicked, they learned each other’s minds and eventually their bodies. The sex scenes were incendiary and they certainly shared an intense chemistry, but it was their emotional connection that stood out the most.
The strength of their feelings surprised them both, but Cliff didn’t want to be the only openly gay athlete while Brennan hated the thought of being a secret once again. What ensued was some pining, lots of guilt, shame, fear of change and disappointing others, and so much heartbreak that hang heavily. Their conflict didn’t last too much, because their need for each other didn’t keep them apart for too long. What I liked was that Cliff didn’t want to come out for Brennan, but for himself, to finally live freely and without fear.
So, pick this up if you want a book about passion, family, college life, friendship, about the need to prove one’s worth to those that count, about believing in oneself and finding the strength to be happy despite so many obstacles in your way. You’ll find many interesting secondary characters and you’ll be charmed by Cliff and Brennan, who, although they grew so much, still have a lot to learn about themselves and their place in the world…thankfully, they’ll face the future hand in hand, happy and in love.
RATING:
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