What do you think?
Rate this book
Sunset #2
Out of the Blue
The gorgeous Justin Pierce feels like nothing more than an object made to please women, whether he chooses to be or not. Five years as head escort at the elite, hands-off Club Blue escort agency--and a painful past--are slowly convincing him that's all he's good for.
Molly Harper prefers computers to people. She just doesn't understand everyday interactions. If only emotions could be reduced to binary! But she needs a date for her high school reunion, and a friend recommends the best money can buy: Justin of Club Blue.
Trouble is, Justin and Molly were college best friends. He was always there for her until he disappeared without a word five years ago. When Molly discovers he's the escort, her anger and heartbreak return. Why did he run away? But Justin wasn't escaping Molly. A dangerous figure from his former life was stalking him, and has found him again. This time, he wants a chance with Molly and he's not running.
Molly Harper prefers computers to people. She just doesn't understand everyday interactions. If only emotions could be reduced to binary! But she needs a date for her high school reunion, and a friend recommends the best money can buy: Justin of Club Blue.
Trouble is, Justin and Molly were college best friends. He was always there for her until he disappeared without a word five years ago. When Molly discovers he's the escort, her anger and heartbreak return. Why did he run away? But Justin wasn't escaping Molly. A dangerous figure from his former life was stalking him, and has found him again. This time, he wants a chance with Molly and he's not running.
- GenresRomance
220 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2013
26 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Opal Mellon
6 books30 followersBook 4 now available at Amazon and on iTunes!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQVMUW6
The Sunset series is a romantic series about the lives and loves of the escorts at Club Blue, a fictional hands-off escort agency in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The books are a little different in that they have no sex scenes or swearing, but they are still targeted to an adult audience and touch on heavy issues, like abuse, grief, and the impact of the sex industry.
As an author, I have a few favorite tropes that run throughout the series. In particular, I tend to use friends to lovers, lover in disguise, second chance romance, and rescue tropes.
OpalMellon’s Sunset Series!
To Be With You (Book 1) Sean's story
Out of the Blue (Book 2) Justin's story
To Love You More (Book 3) Chandler's story
His Only Hope (Book 4) Jason's story
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQVMUW6
The Sunset series is a romantic series about the lives and loves of the escorts at Club Blue, a fictional hands-off escort agency in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The books are a little different in that they have no sex scenes or swearing, but they are still targeted to an adult audience and touch on heavy issues, like abuse, grief, and the impact of the sex industry.
As an author, I have a few favorite tropes that run throughout the series. In particular, I tend to use friends to lovers, lover in disguise, second chance romance, and rescue tropes.
OpalMellon’s Sunset Series!
To Be With You (Book 1) Sean's story
Out of the Blue (Book 2) Justin's story
To Love You More (Book 3) Chandler's story
His Only Hope (Book 4) Jason's story
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 15, 2013
Out of the Blue. Sunset Series Book 2. Opal Mellon.
ARC supplied via Netgalley.
Well as regular readers will know I love a good romance with an edge to the story, and this looked like something a bit different. Well, different it was...but not in a good way for me :( The characters which had sounded so promising, were incredibly juvenile in actions. I'd hoped that as they were supposed to be mid twenties plus that I'd be spared the teenage petty angst that dominates a number of romance books. That's fine if you're a teen or new adult, but for those of us a bit older we want people with problems and relationships that have a bit more substance. I thought I’d get it in this book but instead we have characters that are older in years, but sadly act more like 15 year olds.
Justin and Molly meet up after seven years when she needs an escort for the school ten year reunion. There were incidents here that were reminiscent of a school reunion – but with teens, not supposedly mature working people. Then there's the issue of things like the emails and later texts Molly gets. Two issues here, first she thinks its her friend pranking her, then when they discover its not there's all out panic...come on people – its a couple of marginally iffy emails. They don't contain any threats, and most people would just dump them, but these characters go off into full blown paranoia. Then there's the fact Molly is supposed to be a computer expert. Top in her field etc and yet its Justin that they need to look at the email. Though he's had a copy forwarded he says he needs to see her PC, – well, I’m not an expert but even I know that he doesn't...it won't have anything on that he cant get from the email itself. And he doesn't have to go to her PC to see the latest one, but should be able to access it (she should anyway ) from anywhere. Emails live on servers not just on individual pcs....That sort of silly stuff was irritating. Then the whole Club Blue theme – if its copying the Japanese model the aim is to sell lots of expensive drinks, and yet the men at the club just seem to float chatting from group of ladies to another group, when they are paid to either be hired or push drinks...The later issue where the police become involved gets glossed over, they don't seem to have to make a statement or have any other contact with the police, just assuming the danger over and the perp will be locked up. That's a dangerous assumption to make.
It feels to me like the book was written with very little research. Add to that the way the issues arising are in the main treated so lightly when its serious, and so seriously when its just light and the book was just not one I enjoyed. Maybe teens will feel closer to the issues and actions but for me its a no no.
Stars: remember its just My view – you may like different sorts of books and these issues not bother you but from me this is just a one star.
ARC supplied via Netgalley.
Well as regular readers will know I love a good romance with an edge to the story, and this looked like something a bit different. Well, different it was...but not in a good way for me :( The characters which had sounded so promising, were incredibly juvenile in actions. I'd hoped that as they were supposed to be mid twenties plus that I'd be spared the teenage petty angst that dominates a number of romance books. That's fine if you're a teen or new adult, but for those of us a bit older we want people with problems and relationships that have a bit more substance. I thought I’d get it in this book but instead we have characters that are older in years, but sadly act more like 15 year olds.
Justin and Molly meet up after seven years when she needs an escort for the school ten year reunion. There were incidents here that were reminiscent of a school reunion – but with teens, not supposedly mature working people. Then there's the issue of things like the emails and later texts Molly gets. Two issues here, first she thinks its her friend pranking her, then when they discover its not there's all out panic...come on people – its a couple of marginally iffy emails. They don't contain any threats, and most people would just dump them, but these characters go off into full blown paranoia. Then there's the fact Molly is supposed to be a computer expert. Top in her field etc and yet its Justin that they need to look at the email. Though he's had a copy forwarded he says he needs to see her PC, – well, I’m not an expert but even I know that he doesn't...it won't have anything on that he cant get from the email itself. And he doesn't have to go to her PC to see the latest one, but should be able to access it (she should anyway ) from anywhere. Emails live on servers not just on individual pcs....That sort of silly stuff was irritating. Then the whole Club Blue theme – if its copying the Japanese model the aim is to sell lots of expensive drinks, and yet the men at the club just seem to float chatting from group of ladies to another group, when they are paid to either be hired or push drinks...The later issue where the police become involved gets glossed over, they don't seem to have to make a statement or have any other contact with the police, just assuming the danger over and the perp will be locked up. That's a dangerous assumption to make.
It feels to me like the book was written with very little research. Add to that the way the issues arising are in the main treated so lightly when its serious, and so seriously when its just light and the book was just not one I enjoyed. Maybe teens will feel closer to the issues and actions but for me its a no no.
Stars: remember its just My view – you may like different sorts of books and these issues not bother you but from me this is just a one star.
July 15, 2013
I loved this. Nobody is perfect and I love a good mystery!
September 23, 2013
This was an ARC Net Galley read and I'm beyond thrilled it was free because this had to be one of the worst books I have attempted to read. It was so bad that I couldn't even finish it. The premise looked interesting- Molly and Justin were best friends in college and then one day, Justin disappears. Five years later, Molly and her friend Nicole are getting ready to go to their 10 year high school reunion when Nicole brings Molly to a high profile escort club and Molly runs into Justin. For some unknown reason, Justin is the only available escort free to take Molly to her 10 year reunion. There, the book continued to go downhill.
Having already attended my 10 year reunion, I can say that there were a few classmates who were still the assholes they were back then, however, they were slightly more mature than they had been 10 years earlier. In this book, it was like no one had grown up. THe class bitch was still just as bitchy and mean, and sadly, her dialog made it seem like she was still 18. However, most of the dialog seemed like it was written by a middle schooler thinking of other middle school peers, not adults. That was one of my problems with the book. Another was that Molly is described as a genius. She may have been, but she seemed like she was on the Autism spectrum, and not because she couldn't relate to people, only computers. When she starts getting weird emails at work, instead of being the computer genius the author claims she is, Molly panics and has no idea how to trace the emails, or what to do about them.
Molly also lives in her Manga book world. Not really realizing that that world is a fantasy, not reality, and cannot seem to transition from fantasy to reality. She cannot interact with other people, which could be why she has very few friends.
Justin, on the other hand, lost his parents at age four, and was adopted by a woman who, when he got older (11 years old) started taking him to bed with her. Justin looks like so many of the asexual characters in Molly's manga books, meaning, pretty face, good body, but can pass for either male or female.
I stopped reading because I'm not really sure where the author was going with this. This book was billed as a romance novel, but Molly has never had a real relationship with a man, and when Justin kisses her, she isn't sure what she's supposed to feel. She was indifferent, which to me meant that she wasn't into him, but this was billed as a star-crossed romance type of book- two best friends reuniting years later. I wasn't sure where even the best friend thing came in, mainly because during their college years, Molly never hung out with Justin, and whenever he invited her out with other people, Molly only declined. To say that he was her best friend would be inaccurate- more like her only friend, or even acquaintance. With Molly not knowing how to act around humans, I really couldn't see this as a scorching romance. Or even a romance at all.
Having already attended my 10 year reunion, I can say that there were a few classmates who were still the assholes they were back then, however, they were slightly more mature than they had been 10 years earlier. In this book, it was like no one had grown up. THe class bitch was still just as bitchy and mean, and sadly, her dialog made it seem like she was still 18. However, most of the dialog seemed like it was written by a middle schooler thinking of other middle school peers, not adults. That was one of my problems with the book. Another was that Molly is described as a genius. She may have been, but she seemed like she was on the Autism spectrum, and not because she couldn't relate to people, only computers. When she starts getting weird emails at work, instead of being the computer genius the author claims she is, Molly panics and has no idea how to trace the emails, or what to do about them.
Molly also lives in her Manga book world. Not really realizing that that world is a fantasy, not reality, and cannot seem to transition from fantasy to reality. She cannot interact with other people, which could be why she has very few friends.
Justin, on the other hand, lost his parents at age four, and was adopted by a woman who, when he got older (11 years old) started taking him to bed with her. Justin looks like so many of the asexual characters in Molly's manga books, meaning, pretty face, good body, but can pass for either male or female.
I stopped reading because I'm not really sure where the author was going with this. This book was billed as a romance novel, but Molly has never had a real relationship with a man, and when Justin kisses her, she isn't sure what she's supposed to feel. She was indifferent, which to me meant that she wasn't into him, but this was billed as a star-crossed romance type of book- two best friends reuniting years later. I wasn't sure where even the best friend thing came in, mainly because during their college years, Molly never hung out with Justin, and whenever he invited her out with other people, Molly only declined. To say that he was her best friend would be inaccurate- more like her only friend, or even acquaintance. With Molly not knowing how to act around humans, I really couldn't see this as a scorching romance. Or even a romance at all.
November 17, 2013
Out of the Blue had such an interesting start that I was hoping that it would turn into a book I would love but sadly, it didn’t. I found there to be quite a lot wrong (in my opinion) with this book so I ended up not liking it very much at all.
Protagonists Molly and Justin start off in their late teens as they’re in college but then as the book jumps to five years later, I guess they’re supposed to be roughly 24/25 or so. Unfortunately, both characters (Molly more so) come across as extremely juvenile throughout the book. Neither are especially mature for their ages and act like a couple of teenagers a lot of the time. The dialogue used also didn’t fit in with the ages of the characters which was a shame. These things made it really hard to connect with either character.
This book shouldn’t really be classed as a romance because there isn’t much of that in the plot. The majority of the plot focuses on the problems that both Molly and Justin have had over the course of their lives and what happens when they come back together. Molly and Justin share a kiss but nothing more ever really happens. I would class Out of the Blue as more of a mystery than anything else because there are loads of twists and turns that keep you guessing.
My main problem with this book is that some things just did not add up. Molly is supposed to be super intelligent and has a job working with computers. But, when she starts receiving strange emails, she claims she has no idea where to start to trace where it came from. I just didn’t understand how the character could be written in such a confusing way. It was like the author had forgotten what job she’d given Molly and what she’d done at college.
Some of the plot did slightly redeem the book a little bit though. Justin has an extremely interesting past and his job during the current setting. As a male escort, he’s a very social person which puts him in the opposite position to Molly. The two characters are very different as adults although they were very much the same in college. While some of the plot concentrates on Molly and Justin getting to know each other once again, there is a lot surrounding Justin’s past and the things he has experienced. Out of the Blue turns into quite a shocking read that I wasn’t expecting at all. It certainly isn’t for the feint hearted.
As I said before, I wanted to love this book but I didn’t.
Protagonists Molly and Justin start off in their late teens as they’re in college but then as the book jumps to five years later, I guess they’re supposed to be roughly 24/25 or so. Unfortunately, both characters (Molly more so) come across as extremely juvenile throughout the book. Neither are especially mature for their ages and act like a couple of teenagers a lot of the time. The dialogue used also didn’t fit in with the ages of the characters which was a shame. These things made it really hard to connect with either character.
This book shouldn’t really be classed as a romance because there isn’t much of that in the plot. The majority of the plot focuses on the problems that both Molly and Justin have had over the course of their lives and what happens when they come back together. Molly and Justin share a kiss but nothing more ever really happens. I would class Out of the Blue as more of a mystery than anything else because there are loads of twists and turns that keep you guessing.
My main problem with this book is that some things just did not add up. Molly is supposed to be super intelligent and has a job working with computers. But, when she starts receiving strange emails, she claims she has no idea where to start to trace where it came from. I just didn’t understand how the character could be written in such a confusing way. It was like the author had forgotten what job she’d given Molly and what she’d done at college.
Some of the plot did slightly redeem the book a little bit though. Justin has an extremely interesting past and his job during the current setting. As a male escort, he’s a very social person which puts him in the opposite position to Molly. The two characters are very different as adults although they were very much the same in college. While some of the plot concentrates on Molly and Justin getting to know each other once again, there is a lot surrounding Justin’s past and the things he has experienced. Out of the Blue turns into quite a shocking read that I wasn’t expecting at all. It certainly isn’t for the feint hearted.
As I said before, I wanted to love this book but I didn’t.
October 5, 2013
The Plot. I liked the idea of the book if not the way the author made the story. There were many parts that I really liked and thought were great, and there were the parts that really threw me off balance and made me almost dislike the book. I really liked how the author included the Manga setting of the book. I thought that it was a unique spin on a common romance. I also liked the characters back stories and how they played into the book. The author did a pretty good job of setting the scene and giving the back history.
Molly. I thought that Molly’s character was pretty interesting if not monotone. I would have liked to see more from her character and more of her emotion’s. If Molly’s emotions were more clear I felt like the book would have been so much more easier to read. Also Molly got on my nerves when she played weak and helpless. She seemed to want to be mad at Justin, but never hung on to her anger to really be set against him. I would’ve liked a little more conflict between them.
Justin. Justin was an interesting character because of his past and how he chose to live his life. I thought it was a little weird for him to have an abusive past and then go into the profession where he could be taken advantage of again. I didn’t think I ever really was able to connect with him in the book and that really disappointed me.
The End. I thought that the ending was pretty good if not totally unusual. This book seemed to deal with a lot of characters that were against the protagonists and I actually appreciated that. Overall the book was good.
Molly. I thought that Molly’s character was pretty interesting if not monotone. I would have liked to see more from her character and more of her emotion’s. If Molly’s emotions were more clear I felt like the book would have been so much more easier to read. Also Molly got on my nerves when she played weak and helpless. She seemed to want to be mad at Justin, but never hung on to her anger to really be set against him. I would’ve liked a little more conflict between them.
Justin. Justin was an interesting character because of his past and how he chose to live his life. I thought it was a little weird for him to have an abusive past and then go into the profession where he could be taken advantage of again. I didn’t think I ever really was able to connect with him in the book and that really disappointed me.
The End. I thought that the ending was pretty good if not totally unusual. This book seemed to deal with a lot of characters that were against the protagonists and I actually appreciated that. Overall the book was good.
January 11, 2014
****I rec'd an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review****
Molly and Justin were best friends in college, until one day Justin disappears. Five years later, they meet again when Molly decides to hire a male escort for her 10 year high school reunion. The premise is good, unfortunately it goes downhill from there and never really redeems itself. Although significant time has passed to allow for character growth, Molly and Justin are very immature. The dialogue between them is fairly awkward and feels more like two teenages than two adults conversing.
I really wanted to like this book, since Justin was one of my favorite characters in the first book in the series. I don't think enough thought and planning went into this story. I'm noticing this is an ongoing issue with any Opal Mellon book I read. The writing is just terrible. I will not be continuing the series at this point. I expected to see some improvement from the first book in the series to this one, guess my expectations were too high.
Molly and Justin were best friends in college, until one day Justin disappears. Five years later, they meet again when Molly decides to hire a male escort for her 10 year high school reunion. The premise is good, unfortunately it goes downhill from there and never really redeems itself. Although significant time has passed to allow for character growth, Molly and Justin are very immature. The dialogue between them is fairly awkward and feels more like two teenages than two adults conversing.
I really wanted to like this book, since Justin was one of my favorite characters in the first book in the series. I don't think enough thought and planning went into this story. I'm noticing this is an ongoing issue with any Opal Mellon book I read. The writing is just terrible. I will not be continuing the series at this point. I expected to see some improvement from the first book in the series to this one, guess my expectations were too high.
September 11, 2013
Book 2 of the Sunset Series read easily as a stand alone. I was impressed by Ms. Mellon's talent for plotting a strong romantic suspense novel. Her characters were once strong people who have lived tough lives and the reader gets to see them rebuild their lives and reach their happily ever after in a tension filled suspense setting. At times I was frustrated by the couple's push me-pull you relationship, but then I realized that too much emphasis on the romance would have removed some of my focus from the well plotted mystery. So, in this case, the path of the romance moved the story along. The pacing was even, the dialogue appropriate to the characters and the situations, and the settings well drawn. I would read more from this author.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2013
Warning: Keep large box of tissues near you at all times while reading this book.
I really liked both characters here. Though this is the second book in a series, apparently, it can be read as a standalone. Both characters had childhoods that were not ideal, and both are lonely because of those childhoods. How they choose to overcome is what the storyline is about. No spoilers here...read it and enjoy!
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked both characters here. Though this is the second book in a series, apparently, it can be read as a standalone. Both characters had childhoods that were not ideal, and both are lonely because of those childhoods. How they choose to overcome is what the storyline is about. No spoilers here...read it and enjoy!
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2013
The book started out good, then went slow, but ended good. I rated the book 4 stars because overall it was good. I did get lost a couple of times, but the book pulled through in the last few chapters. The book was a Giveaway Free book, but the cover got my attention. I would like to read more of her books so I can grasp Ms. Mellon's style.
November 28, 2013
Similar to book one in the series ("To be With You"), the romance in "Out of the Blue" centers around chivilry; an I protect you, you protect me relationship - Justin seems to always show up just in time to save Molly and Molly seems to always show up just in time to save Justin. I think of this story as a story of serendipty that studies the thought process between friends and lovers.
April 7, 2015
My heart completely melted .. You have to read this book . I'm in love with Justin . Omg . This book was so hard to put down . Opal did not disappointment . I was upset to hear what has happened to each of them but I loved how they both wanted to protect one another . But I loved when he finally admitted how much he loved her . It was over due . It was a good book I'm excited for the next book !
October 17, 2014
Great
having been an abuse victim myself I believe more knowledge needs to be out there. good characters good plot and I could .not put down.
having been an abuse victim myself I believe more knowledge needs to be out there. good characters good plot and I could .not put down.
November 4, 2014
good book! I loved seeing how the characters in the last book played out in this one also.
March 4, 2015
Easy read
Great book, looking forward to the next one in the series. Kept my attention at all times and was easy to read.
Great book, looking forward to the next one in the series. Kept my attention at all times and was easy to read.
August 15, 2015
This book deals with overcoming sexual abuse and learning to love again when you feel you are too dirty or unworthy for anyone.
August 13, 2016
Really liking this author book number 2 was very good also.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews