Evan di Angelo is an upbeat, good-natured goofball who loves his friends and family…and football. A traumatic accident may have ended his hopes of playing professionally, but he’s made the most of his four years on the field at a small Southern California college. He’s learned the hard way to embrace change, take chances and try things outside of his comfort zone…like agreeing to play fake … boyfriends for someone else’s senior project.
Mitch Peterson knows that being his authentic self is the path to true happiness. He’s grown from a shy, quiet kid from a broken home to an out and proud budding internet sensation bound for grad school. An awesome senior project is the key. It’s unlikely anyone will believe the hunky, straight athlete is Mitch’s new lover, but it’s worth a shot. However, as their tentative friendship blossoms into unexpected attraction, the lines between reality and fiction blur for both men. Evan is forced to face old demons and decide if he has the courage to take the next step and come out in the end zone.
more
N’awwwww, this was so cool. I love the beautiful words Lane uses to describe how love feels and how it puts back pieces of a heart. So recommended.
Onto Out in the Offense (Out in College, #3)
This book is Excellent….as is the whole series!I
Ahhh, Evan and Mitch, now this was an interesting match-up. The football player and the cheerleader is something we all knew about growing up right?!? Well, Lane Hayes takes that and gives us one heck of an MM Romance with a star football player and a male cheerleader.
Mitch is out and proud and I loved that about him. His happiness was infectious and I never wanted his light to dim. Evan is Derek’s roommate from Out in the Deep, and these two books overlap one another in time but I honestly had no clue this was going on while listening to the first book but then as I listening to this one I was like “Oh Yeah, I remember that…Oh LOL I totally thought something else was going on” and in my defense so did Derek!
This story was a little more intense than the first one and there are a few reasons for that the first being Evan’s past, I will not get into it because it will give to much away but wow did my heart break for him. And second, I was afraid at one point that there would be some gay-bashing within the story but I am really glad it didn’t go where I had thought it would. Yes there is some teasing and things like that which is offensive but I really expected it to get dark at one point, but like I said before I am really, really glad it didn’t go in that direction.
Once again the narrator, Michael Pauley, did an amazing job with this story. I am going to check out some of his other narrations and add them to my ever growing TBR shelf.
If you are a lover of MM romance with athletes I would recommend giving this book a read. It is relatively short and can be listened to in just one afternoon, but if you’re like me you’ll make a day of it listen to book 1 & 2. Happy Reading!!!
**I voluntarily listened to an Advanced Readers/Listeners Copy of this book**
I just LOVE Lane Hayes’ writing. This story was sweet and refreshing. The writing was great and it was easy to connect to this story and characters. The dialogue was entertaining and kept me wanting more and more!
I adored the chemistry between Evan and Mitch. After meeting Evan in book one, I did not expect to see him be nervous in front of anyone. I loved seeing him that way with Mitch. Their interactions were pretty cute and I liked seeing a different side to Evan than what I previously thought of him. Also, their kisses, yes I said their kisses were HOT. All of their sexy times were hot but we see kissing for the most part at first and I did not realize after reading so many romance/erotica books that I could get turned on from a kissing scene. The language flows so fluidly in this book and it made the dynamic between the characters that much more powerful.
For me, this was the perfect story. We get the cute initial interactions and then the growing attraction and feelings. Intertwined with that there is humor and sweetness. We do get a teensy bit of angst but then it is quickly overshadowed by just sweet feelings!! Loved this book!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement. ***
Once again Ms. Hayes has knocked it out of the park..or in this case, out of the end zone! Everything about this book from the first word to the last kept me turning the page, eager to see what would happen next. We got to meet Evan in Out in the Deep, his buddy Derek’s story. We got a few subtle hints about what might or might not be going on with Evan but mostly, at least in my case , it was my imagination of what Evan MIGHT be doing in his own life.
Mitch and Evan are perfect for each other. Both a bit gun shy at first but wanting to be more than friends fairly soon. They had so much in common and their love for Mitch’s grandma and her cookies, there is no way they wouldn’t be perfect for each other. What started off as a class project, quickly became so much more.
The reaction to them being together from those closest to them is something you must find out for yourselves.
So do yourself a HUGE favor and get this book. If you haven’t read the first in this series please do. This could easily be a stand alone but with the added of bonus reading Out in the Deep as well as this one, makes for a much deeper experience.
I was given an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review of this book.
4 stars-
Sometimes I seek out action, other times heartbreak, and then there’s the days I want schmoopy- sweet and swoony romance that’s real enough to make an impact but not laden with angst that leaves me clutching my chest or in tears. That’s precisely where Out in the End Zone falls. The second release from Miss Hayes’s Out in College series, this standalone features a collegiate football player and a cheerleader. For those who did read the first of the series, it’s secondary characters Mitch and Evan’s chance to share their story. While there are some plot points tying the series together, I appreciated the marked differences between the two books- distinct character challenges, romance paths, and a bit of a different vibe running throughout, but leaving me equally satisfied and happy at the end.
I found Evan’s story slightly sad, but mostly uplifting and I loved that Out in the End Zone wasn’t the “typical” out-for-you college romance. I enjoyed seeing Evan work through his feelings for Mitch and repeatedly take charge and account for his feelings rather than hiding from or patently denying them. There was a strength of character in this book that definitely set it apart from others in the trope. With the story told from Evan’s point-of-view, there’s less focus on Mitch, but I found his quiet strength relatable and thought he complimented Evan well, and I loved their easy banter. The romance between the young men had a sweet, quiet vibe with some intense physical chemistry sprinkled in, but moved in a balanced pace. Overall, I found Out in the End Zone to be an enjoyable, easy read with a solid story arc despite being a little on the shorter side.
Out in the End Zone is the second book in the Out in College series by the fabulous Lane Hayes. I’m a newish fan of Lane’s and I’m so happy I discovered her. I’ve been looking forward to this story since the end of Out in the Deep! Evan is Derek’s roommate. He’s handsome, a little silly, funny, tells it like it is and better at relationships than he thinks. And he’s Italian and I always have a soft spot for my fellow Italians. Mitch is Derek’s friend and they don’t really know each other too well until one night at a party. There has always been something about Mitch that calls to Evan. Mitch is pretty and fun and out. Evan is bi and not quite forthcoming about his status. But he knows love is love and he’s comfortable with who he is. This story takes place at the same time as Derek and Gabe’s and I loved how the same thing was going on with Evan and Derek. Mitch needs help with his senior project and Evan is the perfect person. Who would believe the straight, sexy football player is gay? But as Evan and Mitch pretend for the cameras their attraction becomes real. Mitch doesn’t want to force Evan to do something he’s not comfortable with, Evan needs to do it on his own. They both have painful pasts when it comes to love and trust. Can they put the past behind them and try to move forward together? I loved this story! Evan is just so perfect. He’s adorkable, sexy, and actually romantic. I love how open he is with his feelings and how he shows Mitch that he wants him. Mitch is hilarious! I love how free he is. He knows who he is and he doesn’t care what people think. Evan and tall and dark and Mitch is smaller and light. They are opposites who fit perfectly together! Overall, I laughed, teared up, swooned, got hot and bothered and laughed some more. I loved the ending and I can’t wait for more on this series!
“Yes, a dance.”
“I don’t dance.”
“Of course you do! Football players are great dancers. You’ll be awesome.”
“No, thanks. I’m awesome enough as is.”
“What do you want, Evan?”
“To be with you. That’s all.”
Out in the End Zone is a delightful little take on the friends-to-lovers/fake boyfriend trope. I really liked Evan and Mitch, they are sooo cute together. I enjoyed their banter and seeing their feelings grow as the story progressed. Evan is all-in when it comes to helping Mitch with his senior project, even if he’s not quite ready to go all-in when it comes to being “out”. I liked Evan’s journey, and learning why he was hesitant, even as he was falling for Mitch, to really let himself be fully invested. There were a few hiccups along the way, but I loved how Evan acknowledged what was holding him back and went about fixing things.
This book is a perfect example of what I love about a Lane Hayes book.- it’s so well written, low on angst, high on the sweet, and left me with a smile on my face. That could also have something to do with the couple coming in the next book- January can’t come soon enough!