Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Getting Off
AUTHOR: J. R. Hart
PUBLISHER: NineStar Press
LENGTH: 69,300 words
RELEASE DATE: February 8, 2022
BLURB:
JJ is certain he’s got everything figured out. He’s straight, right? He’s just not into the hookup culture prevalent on his college soccer team. But he’s trying to hide that to avoid getting on his team captain’s bad side.
Kade is anything but straight. Out and proud, he’s curious about how the “other half” lives… even as his best friends remind him there’s more to the LGBTQ+ community than just the “G.” Curious, Kade texts JJ a simple question: do straight guys ever get off together?
When JJ’s reply leads to a head-spinning sexual spark, he starts questioning everything he knows about his sexuality, both in terms of who he’s attracted to, and also why hookups have never been his thing. But when JJ endures trauma that confuses him more, he starts pushing Kade away. Kade has to learn how to be a supportive friend, and more than that, a supportive partner, or risk losing JJ altogether. And JJ? He has to fight for his team to be team players, even when they suspect he’s “playing for the other team.”
Warning: homophobia, homophobic slurs, bi-erasure, biphobia, sexual assault (on page), forced outing
REVIEW:
This was a hard one on many levels.
JJ knows who he is. He’s a college student, He’s a good soccer player on the school team. He’s the RA for freshman on his floor. He doesn’t screw around like Cap does and brag about it. He’s had a relationship with the girl back home. But he doesn’t need a notch in his bedpost. He needs to connect with the girl. It’s not all about scoring like Cap likes to brag. It’s about the relationship that leads to intimacy. He’s also straight…or that’s what he’s always though. That is until Cade, one of his study partners from class texts him a strange question. Now what?
The first 60% or so was just so filled with college age angst that I barely made it through it. I did feel for JJ. He thinks he knows who he is and then his life turns completely upside down. Now he is in a constant state of questioning and turmoil. However, it went on and on and on way too long for me.
What Amber did to JJ was flat out RAPE! He tried to get through to her and I know it’s not a popular idea that a girl can force herself on a boy but it does happen. Literally continuing to push any kind of sex when a person says they aren’t feeling well, that they are too tipsy and this isn’t what they want is forced! And to continue after your partner either passes out or falls asleep is rape, plain and simple.
I did like that JJ sought out a therapist at Kade’s suggestion. What he went through needed to be reported and also worked on in therapy. Also, with Andrea, he was able to come to grips with exactly who he was. I know he grappled with his demisexual identity and sharing it with Kade. However, Kade knowing what Demi was would reassure him that this thing developing between them was something true and real. This is what started to turn the book around for me. That and his true friends/supporters having his back when he needed it the most.
I know that Kade came off as a player and biphobic in the beginning however he really endeared himself to me when all he cared about was what was best for JJ and how could he help him. He put his needs aside so that JJ could explore who he was and what he needed along side reviving from being sexually assaulted.
I do believe the author did a good job of sharing how people can be judgmental within the LGBTQ+ community. I have personally witnessed that happen. It totally offended me that a trans man, that is a close, personal friend, was slighted at a Gay Pride parade because he wasn’t really gay! And hearing another bi friend being accused of just being a slut that wants sex any way they can get it for anyone! These beliefs are harmful and just plain mean. Listening to the conversation between Aiden, Camryn, Kade and JJ when they met and talked at the coffee shop was insightful and well written.
Although this book was way to angst filled for me it brought home some valid points in the end with a much earned HEA. The last 25-30% of the book helped redeem the story for me a bit and that made me round up my rating.
RATING: 
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