What do you think?
Rate this book
Out in College #1
Out in the Deep
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.
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.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2018
431 people are currently reading
1261 people want to read
About the author
Lane Hayes
110 books1,702 followersLane Hayes loves a good romance! She’s the bestselling author of the Out in College, Starting From, Better Than, A Kind Of, Right and Wrong, and Leaning Into Series! Lane loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). All things she can find in sunny SoCal where she lives with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
August 30, 2018
I have to be honest, as much as it pains me.
*deep breaths*
I didn't like this book.
There, I said it.
I love Lane Hayes' work and have five-starred many of her books, but Out in the Deep just didn't work for me.
I found the first-person POV to be limiting. Since Derek was the sole narrator of the story, I didn't really get Gabe. This narrative style is the author's signature, and I'm usually fine with it, even though I much prefer a dual POV. This time, though, I longed for a two-person perspective.
The MCs are 23—college boys through and through. Twenty-three isn't that young, and yet they acted young. Young and immature. I got bored with all the drinking and partying. Not my cuppa. Give me a man who knows his mind.
Both guys were in the closet because reasons. (The I'm an athlete. I can't be gay/bi. shtick is getting old.) There was also a lot of ex-girlfriend drama, which I despise. Loathe. HATE.
Gabe even makes out with Derek's ex at the beginning, which was just ... NO. Gross.
I didn't feel the romance or the HEA. Derek acted like a douche at the end. Nothing about this relationship clicked for me. Even the steam was underwhelming.
*heavy sigh*
Please note that I'm an outlier! Look at all the glowing reviews. I think it's more ME than than the book. I'm being a grumpy bitch.
I was positive I'd love this book and am über disappointed that I didn't.
*deep breaths*
I didn't like this book.
There, I said it.
I love Lane Hayes' work and have five-starred many of her books, but Out in the Deep just didn't work for me.
I found the first-person POV to be limiting. Since Derek was the sole narrator of the story, I didn't really get Gabe. This narrative style is the author's signature, and I'm usually fine with it, even though I much prefer a dual POV. This time, though, I longed for a two-person perspective.
The MCs are 23—college boys through and through. Twenty-three isn't that young, and yet they acted young. Young and immature. I got bored with all the drinking and partying. Not my cuppa. Give me a man who knows his mind.
Both guys were in the closet because reasons. (The I'm an athlete. I can't be gay/bi. shtick is getting old.) There was also a lot of ex-girlfriend drama, which I despise. Loathe. HATE.
Gabe even makes out with Derek's ex at the beginning, which was just ... NO. Gross.
I didn't feel the romance or the HEA. Derek acted like a douche at the end. Nothing about this relationship clicked for me. Even the steam was underwhelming.
*heavy sigh*
Please note that I'm an outlier! Look at all the glowing reviews. I think it's more ME than than the book. I'm being a grumpy bitch.
I was positive I'd love this book and am über disappointed that I didn't.
June 13, 2025
3.5 stars
I've had this book for a while now and I'm glad I finally read it. The story is told from a single POV, Derek's, and I liked that for a change. Derek and Gabe's initial dynamic didn't seem promising to me, but I liked them both once they started playing nice. I even found some of Derek's personal traits relatable.
There is some ex-girlfriend drama and a cliché situation towards the end that usually annoys me. Other than that, I enjoyed this more than I expected. It's short, light and sweet. Derek and Gabe's relationship is more on the loving side and I loved that. I also loved how most of the time Derek likes to talk things out and is honest. I always find that refreshing in a romance.
I've had this book for a while now and I'm glad I finally read it. The story is told from a single POV, Derek's, and I liked that for a change. Derek and Gabe's initial dynamic didn't seem promising to me, but I liked them both once they started playing nice. I even found some of Derek's personal traits relatable.
There is some ex-girlfriend drama and a cliché situation towards the end that usually annoys me. Other than that, I enjoyed this more than I expected. It's short, light and sweet. Derek and Gabe's relationship is more on the loving side and I loved that. I also loved how most of the time Derek likes to talk things out and is honest. I always find that refreshing in a romance.
February 8, 2019
Michael Pauley gets 5 stars. His enthusiastic and emotional narration got me through this story.
The story gets 2 stars. Ugh! it had potential but the characters read like high school students.
Derek and Gabe had some chemistry but it was not that explosive, though they had some hot smexy times.
Drama llama with Derek's ex was unnecessary. Why can't we have a female character who is not a vindictive bitch. We are not that bad. We get over being dumped, not every woman is Regina George!
Overall it was just an ok read.
The story gets 2 stars. Ugh! it had potential but the characters read like high school students.
Derek and Gabe had some chemistry but it was not that explosive, though they had some hot smexy times.
Drama llama with Derek's ex was unnecessary. Why can't we have a female character who is not a vindictive bitch. We are not that bad. We get over being dumped, not every woman is Regina George!
Overall it was just an ok read.
October 8, 2018
*3.5 stars*
A romance with two bisexual athletes? Yes, please!
I haven't read a Lane Hayes book in some time, mostly because she is so nice in real life that it would crush me to hate her stuff. I didn't hate Out in the Deep, and I even really loved it at times, even though the dreaded I'm breaking up with you for your own good happened near the end (ugh).
Out in the Deep is a really sweet story with relatively low angst, which is nice for a closeted guy plotline (two closeted guys here). I wasn't in the mood for something really heavy, so light and sweet was perfect.
Though the story wasn't angsty, it was a bit dramatic for my tastes. I felt like these guys acted even younger than their age (I was married at 22, for F's sake), and I felt frustrated by them, especially near the end.
I wish I liked this one more because I've loved Lane Hayes' stories in the past, but it was still a solid effort and a sexy little read for a rainy day.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog
A romance with two bisexual athletes? Yes, please!
I haven't read a Lane Hayes book in some time, mostly because she is so nice in real life that it would crush me to hate her stuff. I didn't hate Out in the Deep, and I even really loved it at times, even though the dreaded I'm breaking up with you for your own good happened near the end (ugh).
Out in the Deep is a really sweet story with relatively low angst, which is nice for a closeted guy plotline (two closeted guys here). I wasn't in the mood for something really heavy, so light and sweet was perfect.
Though the story wasn't angsty, it was a bit dramatic for my tastes. I felt like these guys acted even younger than their age (I was married at 22, for F's sake), and I felt frustrated by them, especially near the end.
I wish I liked this one more because I've loved Lane Hayes' stories in the past, but it was still a solid effort and a sexy little read for a rainy day.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog
April 21, 2020
Out In the Deep by Lane Hayes is precisely the type of story I enjoy getting lost in. It's about two college athletes who are still closeted. While at first, they have a massive rivalry they soon have to find a way to work together since they both end up playing for the same team--> in more ways than one. :D
Highlights:
-I love New Adult but admit to steering clear of them because sometimes authors throw so many problems that the angst feels unnecessary and forced. Derek and Gabe both have issues to resolve, but overall the story is low angst and has a feel-good vibe. I admit, I was worried there would be unnecessary ex-drama, but it didn't escalate to the point I thought it was going to. That would've ruined it for me so thankfully it didn't.
-Opposite personalities. Derek is type A and Gabe is more laid back, and I think they complimented each other well, both in and out of the pool.
-Bisexual. As a bisexual, I always love stories with bisexual representation.
-This story is cute, funny, and sweet.
-The chemistry between Derek and Gabe is palpable.
-The end, I bought into their happy ending; I felt it was believable.
If you enjoy:
a sprinkle of enemies to lovers ✔
sports romance ✔
OFY ✔
bisexual awakening ✔
romance ✔
feel-good vibe ✔
Then give this a go! Out In the Deep is a fantastic start to the Out in College series, I can't wait for the rest of the books.
5 Stars!
January 6, 2022
cute and fast read. nothing too exciting or special about it but i am still going to continue on with this series. 😊
September 4, 2018
I was a bit worried about this one, based on a few friends reviews. And I do get where they were coming from.
Books where one of the characters is in the closet is normally not my jam. I don't care for the sneaking around, the lying, the pretending in public, etc.
I didn't like how Derek reacted to Gabe in the beginning, so I was super afraid I wasn't going to like him. I also didn't realize Gabe was also in the closet at that point. Oddly enough that helped.
And yeah, they acted a bit immature a few times. Luckily I didn't feel like there was a lot of back and forth. I really did feel like they were together from the get-go, well after the first "date" anyways. They just kept things hidden. But the book was short enough that this didn't drag on and on.
There was a bit of a "drama" towards the end, but nothing too OTT and annoying.
Overall, I guess I went in with lower expectations and ended up liking it more than I thought I would. It's rare I don't at least like (and in most cases love) Lane Hayes' stuff.
Books where one of the characters is in the closet is normally not my jam. I don't care for the sneaking around, the lying, the pretending in public, etc.
I didn't like how Derek reacted to Gabe in the beginning, so I was super afraid I wasn't going to like him. I also didn't realize Gabe was also in the closet at that point. Oddly enough that helped.
And yeah, they acted a bit immature a few times. Luckily I didn't feel like there was a lot of back and forth. I really did feel like they were together from the get-go, well after the first "date" anyways. They just kept things hidden. But the book was short enough that this didn't drag on and on.
There was a bit of a "drama" towards the end, but nothing too OTT and annoying.
Overall, I guess I went in with lower expectations and ended up liking it more than I thought I would. It's rare I don't at least like (and in most cases love) Lane Hayes' stuff.
June 20, 2025
This was… nice. But not memorable in any way.
I felt like something easy and not too taxing, so when one of my besties here picked it up (Snjez), I followed suit.
And it’s been… well… nice 🤷♀️ what I liked was that we got a rarely featured sport (water polo) with all the body tackling while wearing tiny speedos, so there’s that 😬
Other than that, I wouldn’t call it “enemies to lovers” or even “rivals to lovers” - Derek is “hating” Gabe for around 0.25 seconds, but after their semi drunken after-party hookup, things progress… nicely. There’s no huge bi awakening freak out , no truly evil stalker ex, no really homophobic parents or team mates. It’s… nice, even hot at times, and just the thing I expected it to be based on the reviews and the ratings. It’s whispersynced, so I was able to switch between tagging and listening (to Michael Dean, who did a good job).
Nothing memorable, but just what I needed right now 🙂
I felt like something easy and not too taxing, so when one of my besties here picked it up (Snjez), I followed suit.
And it’s been… well… nice 🤷♀️ what I liked was that we got a rarely featured sport (water polo) with all the body tackling while wearing tiny speedos, so there’s that 😬
Other than that, I wouldn’t call it “enemies to lovers” or even “rivals to lovers” - Derek is “hating” Gabe for around 0.25 seconds, but after their semi drunken after-party hookup, things progress… nicely. There’s no huge bi awakening freak out , no truly evil stalker ex, no really homophobic parents or team mates. It’s… nice, even hot at times, and just the thing I expected it to be based on the reviews and the ratings. It’s whispersynced, so I was able to switch between tagging and listening (to Michael Dean, who did a good job).
Nothing memorable, but just what I needed right now 🙂
August 30, 2018
Just not feeling it. They're reading as too young for me.
![Profile Image for Megan [Semi-Hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1634561405i%2F25103878._UY200_CR50%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 6, 2022
MM Romance
College Bi-Awakening
2 stars
This was in my ku library and I’m not sure why. Do I randomly put books in there when I’m half asleep? The blurb sounded good so I went with it but there are only 6 chapters and they are soooo long. I just became really bored with this.
Derek and Gabe are in college and both on rival water polo teams until Gabe transfers to Derek’s school and they need to work together. There is something about Gabe that draws Derek in and makes him unable to deny his bisexuality anymore. These two have a secret relationship due to Gabe wanting to keep things quiet because he’s going to play for the Olympic team one day. Gabe helps Derek figure out who he really is blah blah and they fall for each other.
That was all fine although a bit lackluster but what tanked this for me was Derek’s ex girlfriend who was barely mentioned becomes that girl who wants to out them. Apparently she’s not okay with the breakup even though it happened ages ago and has stalked Derek and Gabe to figure out what is really going on. It was just SO STUPID. I’m taking the rest of this series out of my TBR.
No thank you.
College Bi-Awakening
2 stars
This was in my ku library and I’m not sure why. Do I randomly put books in there when I’m half asleep? The blurb sounded good so I went with it but there are only 6 chapters and they are soooo long. I just became really bored with this.
Derek and Gabe are in college and both on rival water polo teams until Gabe transfers to Derek’s school and they need to work together. There is something about Gabe that draws Derek in and makes him unable to deny his bisexuality anymore. These two have a secret relationship due to Gabe wanting to keep things quiet because he’s going to play for the Olympic team one day. Gabe helps Derek figure out who he really is blah blah and they fall for each other.
That was all fine although a bit lackluster but what tanked this for me was Derek’s ex girlfriend who was barely mentioned becomes that girl who wants to out them. Apparently she’s not okay with the breakup even though it happened ages ago and has stalked Derek and Gabe to figure out what is really going on. It was just SO STUPID. I’m taking the rest of this series out of my TBR.
No thank you.
August 27, 2018
Lane hits the jackpot once again with the kind of new adult romance she does so well - low angst, seriously steamy and based on a great friendship.
I loved this one with Derek and Gabe and their water polo rivalry which exploded into a passionate relationship. Each character was crafted with care and I loved Derek's anal retentiveness and Gabe's dedication to not only his sport, but to being a good person.
There's a great set of secondary characters too and the setting sprang to life in vivid pictures. I'm seriously looking forward to seeing what's going on now with Derek's roommate Evan and Chelsea's gay bff Mitch!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
I loved this one with Derek and Gabe and their water polo rivalry which exploded into a passionate relationship. Each character was crafted with care and I loved Derek's anal retentiveness and Gabe's dedication to not only his sport, but to being a good person.
There's a great set of secondary characters too and the setting sprang to life in vivid pictures. I'm seriously looking forward to seeing what's going on now with Derek's roommate Evan and Chelsea's gay bff Mitch!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
June 7, 2020
I know, I know, the covers of the books in this series are kinda ugly but the stories are so cute! Each book has a couple, the books are totally "gay for you" trope, there are many people who don't like this trope but these books are worth it just for the amount of cuteness!
In this first book we have Derek and Gabe, they practice water polo which I found fun and interesting, I never read any book in which the main characters practiced this sport. They compete against each other, for Derek, Gabe is the most egocentric person that exists and when he finds out that Gabe is going to be transferred to his team and that they're supposed to be friends, he doesn't know how to deal with it.
At a party he sees Gabe kissing his ex, Amanda, that's when Derek realizes that what he always thought was hate, maybe it was something else, because he didn't feel jealous that Gabe was kissing his ex, but that his ex was kissing Gabe.
The book is cute, fun, hot, short and surprisingly well written. One of the best discoveries I've made!
Rating: 4 Stars.
Steam: 7 out of 10.
Triggers:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
In this first book we have Derek and Gabe, they practice water polo which I found fun and interesting, I never read any book in which the main characters practiced this sport. They compete against each other, for Derek, Gabe is the most egocentric person that exists and when he finds out that Gabe is going to be transferred to his team and that they're supposed to be friends, he doesn't know how to deal with it.
At a party he sees Gabe kissing his ex, Amanda, that's when Derek realizes that what he always thought was hate, maybe it was something else, because he didn't feel jealous that Gabe was kissing his ex, but that his ex was kissing Gabe.
The book is cute, fun, hot, short and surprisingly well written. One of the best discoveries I've made!
Rating: 4 Stars.
Steam: 7 out of 10.
Triggers:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
October 29, 2018
3.5.
No soy muy fan de esta autora, pero es una novella sencilla cuyos protagonistas son dos deportistas bisexuales en el college que al final ha resultado entretenida y una auténtica monada.
No soy muy fan de esta autora, pero es una novella sencilla cuyos protagonistas son dos deportistas bisexuales en el college que al final ha resultado entretenida y una auténtica monada.
January 25, 2019
Oh. My. God.
Seriously. I freaking loved this book. L-O-V-E-D it!
So I started this on my commute this morning and then could not put it down. But I had to. So I kept going to the bathroom to read a couple pages but realized I was in the bathroom stall with a freaking crazy grin on my face.
Then I finally got to leave work and finished this on my commute home and probably looked like an insane crazy person.
Guys, I smiled and smiled and smiled.
Seriously.
It was a little awkward to feel this good.
And my God, this was hot. Not in a dirty talk, intense passion kind of way, even thought it was also that, but more so in a super romantic I can't keep my hands off of you look into my eyes please I need you kind of way and I WAS DONE FOR.
Lane Hayes pretty much always does it for me, I don't know why I waited so long to read this one or even why I'm a little surprised.
Finally I feel like I read a completely different book than my friends did but this time in the right way.
LOVE.
Seriously. I freaking loved this book. L-O-V-E-D it!
So I started this on my commute this morning and then could not put it down. But I had to. So I kept going to the bathroom to read a couple pages but realized I was in the bathroom stall with a freaking crazy grin on my face.
Then I finally got to leave work and finished this on my commute home and probably looked like an insane crazy person.
Guys, I smiled and smiled and smiled.
Seriously.
It was a little awkward to feel this good.
And my God, this was hot. Not in a dirty talk, intense passion kind of way, even thought it was also that, but more so in a super romantic I can't keep my hands off of you look into my eyes please I need you kind of way and I WAS DONE FOR.
Lane Hayes pretty much always does it for me, I don't know why I waited so long to read this one or even why I'm a little surprised.
Finally I feel like I read a completely different book than my friends did but this time in the right way.
LOVE.
November 23, 2018
Super sweet and Sexy!! 3.5 Stars!!
The beginning of this OFY story was a little wonky, but things soon leveled out and the fun began!
Our water polo college boys were HOT and ADORABLE. There wasn't much to them, really, but I liked them nonetheless. Aside from internal worrying over labels, this was a very low angst book.
Included: first kiss, water polo high jinx, fun at the beach, loss of cherry (pain-free, of course), coming out, and an HFN.
The beginning of this OFY story was a little wonky, but things soon leveled out and the fun began!
Our water polo college boys were HOT and ADORABLE. There wasn't much to them, really, but I liked them nonetheless. Aside from internal worrying over labels, this was a very low angst book.
Included: first kiss, water polo high jinx, fun at the beach, loss of cherry (pain-free, of course), coming out, and an HFN.
September 4, 2018
This book was so cute. I loved all the characters, and hope to see more out of the series. It was a nice light read and made me smile.
November 25, 2018
Cortito y bonito, está protagonizado por dos deportistas de waterpolo que, a pesar de sus diferencias, se complementan muy bien.
December 31, 2024
“And something in that surrender felt like my first true taste of freedom.”
3.75⭐️
Another cute mm romance down. This wasn’t anything to write home about, just a cute low drama romance about two water polo players who fall in love. Sadly this book had the outline to be a really good book but like many I’ve read in the past few weeks it just didn’t have the filling. It’s like eating a tasty meal but leaving hungry. If only there was just more, not everything to build this relationship this world this sorry it could have been great. We had a good premise and characters (main and side) but it was just too short and too fast to really be fully in and connected and emotionally connected to the entire story. I get people want short romance books but I personally need some meat on my bones to get to know characters and have the situations mean something because we spent time building a connection with the characters and the characters with each other. But if you take it at face value as a short and sweet story it would be a fun read done in a few hours and worth it.
3.75⭐️
Another cute mm romance down. This wasn’t anything to write home about, just a cute low drama romance about two water polo players who fall in love. Sadly this book had the outline to be a really good book but like many I’ve read in the past few weeks it just didn’t have the filling. It’s like eating a tasty meal but leaving hungry. If only there was just more, not everything to build this relationship this world this sorry it could have been great. We had a good premise and characters (main and side) but it was just too short and too fast to really be fully in and connected and emotionally connected to the entire story. I get people want short romance books but I personally need some meat on my bones to get to know characters and have the situations mean something because we spent time building a connection with the characters and the characters with each other. But if you take it at face value as a short and sweet story it would be a fun read done in a few hours and worth it.
February 4, 2019
This was surprisingly (at least to me) angsty, and I honestly wasn't expecting it. Told entirely from Derek's POV, I would have preferred to have Gabe's POV as well. There were a couple of elements I don't personally care for in books, namely Derek's ex drama, and some miscommunication, and that's just not my cuppa.
I liked the narration overall, especially as Michael Pauley uses distinct character voices and paces well, but I really think getting Gabe's POV would have made this a much higher rating for me.
Single POV, sports romance with enemies to lovers, some angst, plenty of heat, and a happy ending.
Audio copy of Out in the Deep provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
January 23, 2019
What a delightful story. No real angst, just lots and lots of falling in love. I adored both Gabe and Derek, they just fit. Derek was such a hot mess, he made me laugh, but I loved his reaction to his obvious attraction to Gabe. Nothing was rushed, their relationship was so organic, I found their snuggliness adorable. As usual, with Ms Lane, the dialogue and the pace of the story was spot on.
If you want what ultimately is feel good story, I highly recommend this. It's a perfect start to a new series. Derek and Gabe were perfectly written and we are also introduced to a slew of characters who are obviously going to feature in future stories.
So, a low angst love story from Ms Lane, which is a perfect read to while away a summer's day. Once again, Lane's character development is first class. I loved Derek's enthusiasm and the way in which he was all in, once he decided to pursue his attraction to Gabe. I'm already looking forward to the next book.
If you want what ultimately is feel good story, I highly recommend this. It's a perfect start to a new series. Derek and Gabe were perfectly written and we are also introduced to a slew of characters who are obviously going to feature in future stories.
So, a low angst love story from Ms Lane, which is a perfect read to while away a summer's day. Once again, Lane's character development is first class. I loved Derek's enthusiasm and the way in which he was all in, once he decided to pursue his attraction to Gabe. I'm already looking forward to the next book.
August 21, 2021
4 sweet waterpolo players stars
I AM SWOONING
This was such a refreshing romance, not too sweet, not too angsty. It was nothing extraordinary, but the perfect book to make my day complete 🧡
Gabe and Derek were a wonderful couple. They had an amazing chemistry that offered us some really nice make out sessions, and more. Their relationship grew steadily and, by the end of the book, they exhudated love.
As it was a short novel, we didn't get a lot of background infos about them, but still enough to shape correctly their characters. For me, the most important part was their emotional side and the evolution of their feelings - like bi-awareness and self-appreciation. Here, it one was very well done. Their coming out scene was sooo sweet!
Side characters were also nice to meet. Chelsea was great and, in the end, I kind of liked Amanda's story - I'm still not sure... I know Evan is getting his own book next and I'm really excited about it. A fake-dating story? I love this trope!
I AM SWOONING
This was such a refreshing romance, not too sweet, not too angsty. It was nothing extraordinary, but the perfect book to make my day complete 🧡
Gabe and Derek were a wonderful couple. They had an amazing chemistry that offered us some really nice make out sessions, and more. Their relationship grew steadily and, by the end of the book, they exhudated love.
As it was a short novel, we didn't get a lot of background infos about them, but still enough to shape correctly their characters. For me, the most important part was their emotional side and the evolution of their feelings - like bi-awareness and self-appreciation. Here, it one was very well done. Their coming out scene was sooo sweet!
Side characters were also nice to meet. Chelsea was great and, in the end, I kind of liked Amanda's story - I'm still not sure... I know Evan is getting his own book next and I'm really excited about it. A fake-dating story? I love this trope!
did-not-finish
February 27, 2022DNF'd at 43%. I no longer have patience for enemies-to-lovers books where the enemies part is short. I get that in real life, people don't usually form everlasting grudges, but I don't read MMRs for realism, damnit!
May 2, 2020
Muy sencillo, pero muy mono. Justo lo que necesitaba.
August 31, 2018
3.75-4 Stars
November 2, 2018
4 solid stars!
RTC...
~*~
After reading some reviews before reading this, I was wary to start it. It seemed like this was shaping up to be not as strong as Hayes' other books. But for me, it didn't turn out that way. I think that sometimes reviews are just differing opinions - which is totally fine! - but they're still great to read to get a general sense of the story and characters and if there is anything to warn about that the blurb didn't bother to.
But for this book, I didn't need to worry that it would be bad. Sometimes you agree with the reviews, sometimes you don't. It happens, and I disagree with some of the reviews I saw for this one. I was expecting to dislike one of them (I couldn't remember if it was Gabe or Derek I saw dissent with) but I enjoyed both characters.
I always wish Hayes books had dual POV as that is the best for romance books, imo, but she writes in such a way that most of the time they're enjoyable. This book was enjoyable too.
I do think that the drama at the end was a tad manufactured with the ex-girlfriend and but it didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment of this book.
I thought Derek and Gabe had great chemistry and their relationship progressed well for a 150 page book, and the happy ending was pretty adorable.
Overall this was a fun, enjoyable read and I recommend it :D
RTC...
~*~
After reading some reviews before reading this, I was wary to start it. It seemed like this was shaping up to be not as strong as Hayes' other books. But for me, it didn't turn out that way. I think that sometimes reviews are just differing opinions - which is totally fine! - but they're still great to read to get a general sense of the story and characters and if there is anything to warn about that the blurb didn't bother to.
But for this book, I didn't need to worry that it would be bad. Sometimes you agree with the reviews, sometimes you don't. It happens, and I disagree with some of the reviews I saw for this one. I was expecting to dislike one of them (I couldn't remember if it was Gabe or Derek I saw dissent with) but I enjoyed both characters.
I always wish Hayes books had dual POV as that is the best for romance books, imo, but she writes in such a way that most of the time they're enjoyable. This book was enjoyable too.
I do think that the drama at the end was a tad manufactured with the ex-girlfriend and but it didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment of this book.
I thought Derek and Gabe had great chemistry and their relationship progressed well for a 150 page book, and the happy ending was pretty adorable.
Overall this was a fun, enjoyable read and I recommend it :D
July 13, 2022
3.5-4 stars
i liked Gabe and Derek, and a low angst story.
it seems to be a common theme with the lady's of this series to suck and cause OTT drama that isn't needed, luckily this isn't as bad as some others... Sophie i am looking at you! haha
overall glad i gave this one a go, i do wish these books were longer but for less than 200 pages a book they have a good flow for the relationship and doesn't feel rushed.. or to me at least.
i liked Gabe and Derek, and a low angst story.
it seems to be a common theme with the lady's of this series to suck and cause OTT drama that isn't needed, luckily this isn't as bad as some others... Sophie i am looking at you! haha
overall glad i gave this one a go, i do wish these books were longer but for less than 200 pages a book they have a good flow for the relationship and doesn't feel rushed.. or to me at least.
March 26, 2020
I liked the chemistry between the guys. It was hot. But the rest was meh. Too short and not enough space to properly set up the story.
December 12, 2021
I liked this book ok. However, It wasn’t my favorite book by Lane Hayes. I really thought Derrick was a jerk for the first half of the book. I warmed up to him by the end. I also hate that trying to break up right before the end. It’s such a tired cliche.
August 28, 2018
I ended up really liking this a lot. I completely adored both MCs, and I enjoyed their story. Full review coming to www.thenovelapproachreviews.com
September 20, 2018
3 stars from me. College boys who are athletes don't seem to be that different from frat boys as far as partying and drinking are concerned, but what do I know?? Couldn't wait to get away from school myself and earn some money, but back to the story....isn't the bisexual guy being done to death at the mo?? And we have two of them in this story, a kind of enemies to lovers thing.
Not my fave Lane story tbh, and I have to admit I'm getting pretty fed up of rich, white and entitled dudes in stories...not just Lane, but most other authors as well. Thought this planet was made up of all sorts of colours, just saying.
As for the cover guy, far too old for a college kid of 22/23 and covers just don't sway me like they used to...
Not my fave Lane story tbh, and I have to admit I'm getting pretty fed up of rich, white and entitled dudes in stories...not just Lane, but most other authors as well. Thought this planet was made up of all sorts of colours, just saying.
As for the cover guy, far too old for a college kid of 22/23 and covers just don't sway me like they used to...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews