Review: Out of My Mind (Browerton University #3) by A.J. Truman

Mac had to be out of his mind.

Completely out of his ever-loving mind to even consider rooming with Gideon. The same guy he kissed during his freshman year who said he was straight. He’s held Mac’s mind hostage for the last two years after running out that one special night. Mac was a fan of social experiments, and this one was going to be a doozy.

Gideon doesn’t sweat anything. He was always two lies ahead of everyone. A master at spinning rock solid alibis to protect the house of cards that was his life. To Browerton University, he’s the popular guy getting over a breakup. To his family…the dutiful and responsible son. But rooming with Mac was bringing up old memories and forming new ones. First, a friendship develops, and then a late night infused with alcohol pushes them into uncharted, benefits-laden waters.

As their sexual experimentation continues, and the lies add up, both of them fight to withstand the feelings growing between them, feelings that could ruin their friendship and topple Gideon’s house of cards for good.

Out of My Mind is the 3rd book in the Browerton University series, but can be read as a standalone. It contains humor, heart, and hot guys. This book is intended for readers 18+.

This book had many of my favorite tropes to read all wrapped up in one super sweet and sexy story.

When Mac and Gideon meet, they are both confused freshman out on their own at Browerton University ready to start a new life. They boys hit it off and when a chat turns into flirting, they take things to the next level. Only this next level took a wrong turn at Albuquerque when an innocent kiss isn’t returned because, well Gideon is straight. Not only is he straight, he’s kind of a dick and tells Mac he is Out of His Mind when he suggests a friendship after the failed attempt at making out.

Sigh.

See, I am a huge sucker for not only unrequited love, but second chances and boys in the closet who take a “sex only” approach to exploring their sexuality who end up falling for their new best friend and fuck buddy. Yup, this book has it all and it made for one hell of a happy ginger as I lapped up this story like a thirsty hiker on the PCT who forgot to fill up at the last aid station and finally finds water.

What? Never mind.

Anyway.

That tragic kiss happens, the boys go their separate ways until two years later when Gideon needs a roommate since he is suddenly single. When a friend of a friend suggests a friend needs a place, the boys meet once again and it’s a bit awkward, of course.

I love that we get dual POV’s in this story. For me, when you have the exploration of a character who thought they were straight or who has interest in both sexes but never went for the one the story involves, i.e. - the “straight boy” who know lusts after his male roommate, I need to know what’s going on in both brains and libidos. We know that Mac has never forgotten that kiss or the remark Gideon threw at him. We know that he is also, suddenly single and while he really doesn’t want to room with a dude who fucked with his emotions all too quickly, the place and price is too sweet to pass up so they boys decide on a trial run and go from there.

This wasn’t the first time he’d had thoughts like these over the years. But he never acted on them, and that’s what mattered. The good son would never do something so irresponsible.

Being the good son was exhausting.

I knew from the first glance Gideon has of a shirtless Mac he was going to be a joy to read. I said earlier, I have a soft spot for boys in the closet and Gideon was a classic case with an added bonus of familial guilt on his shoulders. He is the youngest of two brothers with a single Jewish mother who tells him over and over again how is the “good son” and after his father’s death, it’s truly want Gideon wants. But the fight over being “good” and the fight over being his true self begins early.

Like all embarrassing, soul-crushing moments, it loved popping back into his mind at the most random occasions, usually when Mac was already feeling down on himself. It was the cherry on top of a crappy mood.

And then there were those times when Mac thought about that night, but with an alternate version that didn’t have them stopping.

Mac, by dear Mac.  You were a mess of a boy in so many ways but so strong once we learn your back story. To know why you left home, to go through your losses with you and to watch you find your strength as you learn to fight for yourself only to have to fight in a new way was nothing short of heartbreaking. To know that you had a thing for Gideon all this time and still tried to be friends with your “straight” roommate and then attempt to attend Geology class with him and have boundaries… sigh. Boy oh boy did I love each time I got into your head even though you gave me a bit of angst.

This was what he did. Lies on top of lies. Giving the people the stories they wanted.

The amount of lies Gideon tells to keep his secret, to keep himself safe became exhausting. Not in the way that you want him to tell the truth, which I totally did, but the mere fact that he had to come up with them, had to categorize and catalog them so they didn't fail or become tangled made me so tired. I just wanted to wrap him up, make him mac and cheese and tell him that it gets better. I cannot imagine living the way he did for so long and trying so hard to make sure no one knew. I love that his brother Noah was positive in his life and I am so grateful that this wonderful young man is who he is and made the right choices at the end.

This was fun and does has a few darker moments to deal with. Though they are present, they lend to the story to provide growth for the characters when needed. I will admit the last bit was a tad over the top and I wasn’t exactly keen on a few things because they didn’t add up, at the end. But I am happy with how it all turned out.

So, yeah. I really liked this. As I have only read book one in this series I can tell you this works fine as a standalone thought it was nice to see Ethan and Greg for a few seconds.

I look forward to reading the other books in the series and to the new one coming out in 2017. Browerton University is proving to be a setting I truly appreciate.

For more info on Goodreads!

Review: Out on a Limb (Browerton University #2) by A.J. Truman

No looking back.

That’s the motto of college senior Cameron Buckley, whether he’s kicking his latest hookup out of bed or plotting out his future as a hit screenwriter. With only a few weeks until graduation, he’s ready to put Browerton University in his rearview mirror and start the life he’s been dreaming of ever since he was a kid. But a chance meeting with a sexy stranger in a bar throws a wrench into his Hollywood plans.

For Walker Reed, no looking back is hard to do when you work minutes away from your alma mater and share child custody with your college sweetheart. Almost fifteen years after graduating from Browerton, he can’t stop wondering how he got here. He has an ex who can’t stand him, a five-year-old son he can’t connect with, and a dead-end job he can’t escape.

When Cameron and Walker first meet, they know the rules. They know their friendship has an expiration date, yet it begins changing them in ways they never expected. As graduation looms, they both know things can’t go anywhere, but they can’t keep denying the feelings pulling them closer, even as an offer from Hollywood threatens to tear them apart forever.

OUT ON A LIMB is a gay new adult romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. It’s the second full-length book in the Browerton University series, but can be read as a standalone. The book is intended for readers 18+

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I have to confess, I was neither completely sold by the blurb (a me thing, I'm not into Hollywood/famous/rich people etc stories) or by the cover. I feel a bit guilty because, you know, one shouldn't judge a book (or a book character) by the cover, but I kinda did. And the Cameron who is portrayed on the front of this book looks arrogant and rather full of himself. If I'm honest, had I seen the cover first I would have skipped right on by! (I feel I should apologise for this so, sorry). However... I am so glad that whatever reason made me decide to read this occurred, because this was a thoroughly enjoyable read!

It's not quite a May-December romance, but Walker is  older than Cameron and his life is quite different. He's a father, trying to keep everything together and amiable with his ex for the sake of his son. He's not a risk taker - he never has been, until Cameron blows into his life. Cameron is younger and almost Walker's opposite; he's afraid of becoming staid, of not taking a risk. He knows what he wants to do (make films) and is determined to follow his chosen career path.

This was actually quite a sweet romance and I was pleased it didn't become a parody of itself, with Cameron forcing Walker into countless adrenalin filled situations. It instead was reflective of life and the decisions we all make - or the ones we're too scared to make. I liked the relationships between the characters, the nuances of the life Walker had with his ex and the life he actually wants but is too scared to go for. The way Cameron interacts with with Walker's son - at first he felt unfit for the role of responsibility but he was a natural.

"Just thinking about the word stepdad made him pause on the grass. Vagina sounded more natural coming out of his mouth than stepdad."

I liked AJ Truman's writing style, it was easy to read and full of humour. Notice the u - it's cos I'm British...

"He had that natural bitchy quality to him that came naturally to gay men and the British." 

*insert winky face here*  

This made me smile - lots of bits in this book did, and as far as I'm concerned, if a book makes me smile it's definitely winning. I'll definitely be checking out more from this author.

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. 

For more information see Goodreads.

  

Author Visit & Giveaway: Out on a Limb by A.J. Truman

Are you ready to get your swerve on? A.J. Truman's is taking the Clubhouse back old school to celebrate his latest, Out On A Limb! So limber up, kids. Turn the volume up & don't be scared to dance like it's 2005!

10 Songs That Made My College Experience

By A.J. Truman

An added perk of choosing to write gay new adult is that it lets me relive old college memories. One of the best ways to get in the college zone is by listening to music from that time. Putting on any song can zap me back to that moment. In “Out on a Limb,” Walker gets to feel like a teenager again when “Gangsta’s Paradise” comes on at the club. He remembers all of the lyrics by heart. As do I, and if I didn’t have to pay to royalties to include them in the book, I would’ve had Walker rattle them off.

For certain songs, I can still remember where I was when I heard them. While many songs hold many meanings for me, here are ten that will always take me back to my college days.

1) Dirrty – Christina Aguilera
As a newly out gay man, this song was like a spiritual and sexual awakening for me. It was popular at the beginning of my freshman year. Just like Christina Aguilera had proven she was all grown up with this song, I was a new person once I got to college. When I would run at the gym, I would hope that the radio station would play it. I didn’t have an iPod back then. And I vividly remember playing this song while my friends and I learned how to dance in my room before going to a gay bar for the first time.

2) Work It – Missy Elliott
This song and its accompanying video simultaneously made no sense and gave me amazing life clarity. “Work It” was played all the time my freshman year. It was everywhere. To this day, when I need to make a change or take a risk, I say that I’m going to put my name down, flip it, and reverse it.

3) Crazy in Love – Beyonce
I know this makes me seem super gay. I’m not even a huge Beyonce fan. (Don’t call the police) But after a long, cold winter, this song debuted in the spring of freshman year. It was like a siren announcing that summer was here, and I’d survived my first year of college.

4) Get Low – Lil Jon
This was the party song of sophomore year. Bonus: I learned what skeet meant. Not what I thought. If you and your friends weren’t watching “Chappelle’s Show” or “Family Guy” DVDs, you were listening to this song. Or this one…

5) Yeah! – Usher
“Yeah!” was the song period of sophomore year. I don’t even like this song that much, but I can’t not include it. That’s how ubiquitous it was.

6) Follow Through – Gavin DeGraw
I listened to other stuff besides Top 40 when I was in college, like this song. It’s maudlin and sorta emo. Very much me at 19. I burned a CD of Gavin DeGraw songs and would listen to them on my portable CD player while walking around campus. I still love this song, and I can think of the plotline for a new book just by listening to it again. If you need to write an emotional, melodramatic scene that would not be out of place on a teen soap, Gavin DeGraw and Howie Day are your guys.

7) Milkshake – Kelis
My friend and I like to say that we discovered this song. We were driving in her car at like 2am one night, and it came on the radio. We’d never heard it before. A few weeks later, it was featured in “Mean Girls” and then it was everywhere. But we discovered it first.

8) Mr. Brightside – The Killers
The song that was everywhere my junior year. I have memories of listening to it in a bar, in the car, the radio. And then sometimes I think that I was on “The OC.” Memory is a funny thing.

9) Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani
When I have to remember how to spell bananas, I still think of this song. It reminds me of my summer internship in New York. And it was one of the first songs I downloaded to my iPod mini.

10) Ignition (Remix) – R. Kelly
This song just blanketed my entire college experience. It came out freshman year, and by senior year, we would listen to it to feel nostalgic. And to shake the “Trapped in the Closet” videos out of our heads. Have greater lyrics ever been sung than “I’m bout to take my key and stick it in the ignition”? I dare you to ask anyone my age what comes after the party.

Thank you for walking down Memory Lane with me. You can find me on Facebook, Goodreads, and my website. If you want to be the first to find out about my next project, and get cool perks like exclusive content and members-only contests, then become an Outsider today.

Blurb

No looking back. That’s the motto of college senior Cameron Buckley, whether he’s kicking his latest hookup out of bed or plotting out his future as a hit screenwriter. With only a few weeks until graduation, he’s ready to put Browerton University in his rearview mirror and start the life he’s been dreaming of ever since he was a kid. But a chance meeting with a sexy stranger in a bar throws a wrench into his Hollywood plans.

For Walker Reed, no looking back is hard to do when you work minutes away from your alma mater and share child custody with your college sweetheart. Almost fifteen years after graduating from Browerton, he can’t stop wondering how he got here. He has an ex who can’t stand him, a five-year-old son he can’t connect with, and a dead-end job he can’t escape.

When Cameron and Walker first meet, they know the rules. They know their friendship has an expiration date, yet it begins changing them in ways they never expected. As graduation looms, they both know things can’t go anywhere, but they can’t keep denying the feelings pulling them closer, even as an offer from Hollywood threatens to tear them apart forever.

OUT ON A LIMB is a gay new adult romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. It’s the second full-length book in the Browerton University series, but can be read as a standalone. The book is intended for readers 18+ as it contains sexual situations and explicit language.

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About the author

A.J. Truman remembers his college days like it was yesterday, even though it was definitely not yesterday. He writes books with humor, heart, and hot guys. What else does a story need? He loves spending time with his pets and his partner and writing on his sun porch. You can email him at ajtruman.writer [at] gmail [dot] com. He always responds.

Enter for a chance to win The AJ Truman Prize Pack! Get an e-copy of each of my 3 books (Out in the Open, Behind Closed Doors, and Out on a Limb). The contest runs 4/22-4/29.

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Review: Out in the Open by A.J. Truman

Libraries are meant for studying – not sex

College sophomore Ethan Follett never says what’s on his mind and never wants to rock the boat. After a high school social life spent anonymous and alone, things are finally falling into place for him. He’s found a group of friends just as studious as he, and is on track for a promising legal career. Out in the open, things couldn’t be better, but secretly Ethan yearns for some real excitement in his life.

He finds it in cocky fratboy Greg Sanderson, who challenges every rigid, preconceived notion Ethan lives by. Soon, their sparring relationship turns sexual, and these enemies-with-benefits get their freak on all over campus. Yet the more Ethan comes out of his shell, the more Greg retreats into his, working overtime to keep his ladies man public persona intact. As the sex gets hotter, and they get closer to getting caught, one part of their arrangement can’t stay hidden any longer: love.

OUT IN THE OPEN is a M/M new adult romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. The book is intended for audiences 18+ as it contains explicit sex and language.

When the request for this book came in I wanted so badly to jump on it. This book sounded really good based on the blurb. It also sounded like my type of romance. I held off though because I usually choke and develop writer's block when I have to write a review, even if it's for a book I love. But the day this went on sale I snatched it up. Boy, am I glad I did.

This is a play on the jock & geek trope. This new author, A.J. Truman, put a slightly different spin on it and I think he was very successful. We have Greg, the partying Frat boy and Ethan, his out of the closet, yet shy and studious classmate. They end up sharing the back row of a Constitutional Law class and the sparks fly. But NOT in a good way. They clash and the snarky banter begins.

The first few chapters were a tad slow for me. Not to the point of wanting to quit but I was worried that it wouldn't get better. As the next chapters unfolded it did get better. Much better. Then I realized that I needed those beginning chapters. They were the foundation to the relationship that I now had with Greg, Ethan and their friends. Without those first few chapters I'd be using this space to bitch about lack of character development and needing more background. The beginning is a tad sluggish but don't be fooled, the action picks up quickly.

Speaking of action, this book has some action in it. Good action. Really good action! In public places. Just out of sight. I don't want to go in detail but I will tell you the sexy times are in good supply and smoking hot!

The two MCs are easy to like, though at times I did get angry with Greg. He always managed to redeem himself quickly though and I never stopped rooting for him to do the right thing. The secondary characters are mostly unique and definitely added dimension to the story. Perhaps one or two were a bit clichéd and predictable in their actions, but only if I'm really trying to find fault.

There were a few niggles and such that I'll point out. There's an inconsistency or two with some of the descriptions. Nothing major but if I picked up on them you will too. There was perhaps one minor timeline issue that I picked up on, though it could have been my interpretation. I kept going and didn't let it pull me out of the story because it was insignificant and irrelevant. I also remember either a missing or extra word once or twice but again nothing major and nothing too distracting.

Overall, I really enjoyed this author's first book and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. If a contemporary romance between a cocky frat boy and a shy law school student sounds intriguing, I highly recommend Out in the Open!

Find more info on Goodreads.