Christian Rafferty is a talented quarterback with a big secret. He’s determined to make the most of his final season on the football field, and if possible, avoid any confrontations with his conservative parents about his future. It shouldn’t be difficult; he’s become adept at keeping his public and private lives separate. However, when a math class threatens to derail his plans to graduate on … time, he realizes he may need outside help.
Rory Kirkland has a reputation for being a tough guy. He’s a former wrestler and recent college graduate who needs a real job. Until he finds one, tutoring is a decent temporary gig. Luckily, his brain is his biggest asset. Rory is a genius. He credits his sport for helping him deal with angst and rumors about his sexuality when he was younger, but he doesn’t care what others think anymore. He likes his new status as an out and proud bi man; and he recognizes something of himself in Christian. But Rory didn’t count on falling for him. When an unlikely friendship collides with intense attraction, both men begin to realize that coming out on offense just might be the surest path to love.
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Out in the Offense is the third book in the Out in College series and while each can be read as a standalone I would suggest you read them in order. I feel this way for a couple of reasons but the most important one would be, especially in this book, because you will know the characters background. I knew in Out in the End Zone that Christian was gay, he never came out and said it of course but it was a strong feeling I had so when Christian had his own book I wasn’t surprised. What I was surprised about was Rory. I didn’t remember much about him at first but I knew I had met a Rory along the way in one of the books, then he mentioned his ex Mitch and it all clicked….Rory’s ex Mitch was Evan’s love interest in Out in the End Zone and I didn’t like him much, in that book….well I didn’t like him at all to be totally honest.
In Out in the Offense we have Christian and Rory’s story. This was a slow start that took one night at a bar to turn things around but I felt that Christian was always holding back, well through most of the book anyway. I hated that but I really did understand why he did it. Christian was the star quarterback and he had a strict father. It seemed he could never measure up to his fathers expectations no matter how hard he tried, which I found pretty sad. There was a lot of gay trash talk or gay bashing so Christian never felt as if he could come out even after Evan did which was a shame and there was one very important part of the story that I felt was never resolved. I hope we find out more about this incident in the next book, but only time will tell. As for Rory, he was a math genius but was having trouble finding his way after he finished college so he took on tutoring students until he found a job that he wanted. This was smart and it’s the reason the two of them found their way to one another.
This was a good addition to the series and of course I have to give a shout out to the very talented Michael Pauley that narrated the audiobook. He did a phenomenal job as usual, I love listening to him, and he is the narrator on each book in the series thusfar. If you enjoy LGBT New Adult books with the Sports sub-genre I recommend you giving not only this book a read but the entire series. Happy Reading!!!
**I voluntarily listened to an Advanced Copy of this audiobook**
This book is #3, in the Out In College series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader understanding and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order.
Christian has been keeping secrets. When he meets his new tutor, and has a wild and almost uncontrollable reaction to him, it makes keeping secrets harder. Can he grow and learn it is easier to just be honest?
Rory has been hurt before. His wanting Christian does not change the status quo – nor the fact it is basically forbidden. He cannot stop feelings once they start.
This was another great addition to the series. These amazing characters have such depth and courage. I loved devouring each page and could not wait to finish the story.
***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.
This book is Excellent….as is the whole series!I
Wow. Just…wow. I think this is my favorite book in the series. For starters, it has a hot, tattooed guy, with muscles, playing duck, duck, goose with kids at the YMCA. Take a moment. Second it took a jerk from the previous book, and gave him a redemption story, of sorts. This book takes place AFTER he makes changes, and makes amends, but it goes to show that sometimes jerks are not always what they seem, and anyone can change for the better. I’m the type of person who wants that for those characters in books. To actually find an author who did just that? Epic. I’ve been a fan of Lane Hayes since I discovered her a few weeks ago (early April 2020) and I think everyone needs to read, or listen to, her books. You get a great story, and some sexy time, but you also come away having learned a little something. Sometimes, what you learn is about yourself. This book, as the ones before it, can be read alone, but reading the series in order will enhance your experience. You will see familiar faces, and meet people you see again in the next book or so. I can’t recommend this book enough. Read it, and you will understand
5++ stars
Heat Level: 4
This series just keeps getting better!! Christian and Rory are the couple best yet!!!
I’m so glad Rory came back. I liked his roguish interlude in Mitch and Evan’s story and am glad this tatted up teddy bear was able to get his happily ever after.
Christian and Rory are great together and their playful banter and slow-growing friendship/relationship which grows organically and is romantic without being cheesy or overdone. I could feel for these characters as they progress in their lust and attraction for each other. I enjoyed the depth all of Lane’s characters seem to have and loved that Christian was able to get out from under the thumb of his father. I think for me this was the most relatable part and help hope in the knowledge that Christian could raise about someone else’s expectations and find who he wants to be. I loved this story and can’t wait to see what Lane can do next.
I love this series and I find Lane’s writing so profound and relatable. Her closeted characters are so strong and bold while they go through the ‘coming out’ stages of their lives. Lane approaches these with such care and empathy. She gives a voice to the doubts and fears of these characters that are so real and relatable and it feels like real life. I find her writing so uniquely sincere and her ability to give a voice to bisexual characters is admirable.
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Living a life he loves under circumstances that stifle him, Christian Rafferty finds himself pulled in two very different directions. When his need for a tutor leads him to a man that makes him question the value in pretending, he finds the possibility of a future full of choice, freedom, and maybe love. Rory has had his struggle with himself and his sexuality. Now in a place where he fully accepts who he is, he finds strength in being himself no matter what. He sees his past in Christian and despite his initial misgivings, he’s drawn to the hesitant jock. Soon they’re falling, but the fallout might be enough to crush what they’re building.
When we first met Rory in Out in the End Zone he was in a very difficult place. It was an awkward, painful situation that ultimately led to Mitch and Evan’s getting together. I thought Rory’s story would pick up from there, but instead we were treated to a self-assured, fantastic man in a place to guide, support, and fully love Christian. We got to know Rory for all his brilliance, tenderness, empathy, and strength. Going into this I wasn’t sure if I’d like Rory but after a couple meetings, I was gone on him. But we don’t get his point of view. I wish we had it. A wealth of awesome and feels could have been had.
Christian was likable right from the moment we met him and he continued being the steady presence here that he was hinted at being previously. Except just beneath his calm surface is a turbulent sea of fear, dissatisfaction, and anxiety. He’s trying so hard to live both the life he wants and the life that’s expected of him and I ached for him at times. Seeing him interact with Rory was like seeing a light from inside him and he suddenly became a whole person, someone I could genuinely enjoy. His coming out “speech” was tender, heartfelt, and so honest. I don’t know that I’m a fan of his avoidance leading up to it, but once it came time to accept and stand up for himself, he spoke up and his confrontation was powerful. What began as a general like for him as a character grew and deepened into love. I cheered for everything Christian became.
One thing I will say, though, is that poor Jonesie seems to get the short end of the supportive stick every time. Sure, he speaks before he thinks and has some socially conditioned views, but when the chips are down he’s on his friends’ sides all the way. Someone needs to stop commenting on his lack of intelligence and choose him to be their friend and perhaps their go-to for support and acceptance instead of judging him so harshly. I’m a fan of the poor guy.
Again, Lane Hayes has a winner here. Though I do have a couple issues. First, there’s no alternating POV. We got it before, why not now? Rory has such a deep story and perspective and I wanted his words so much! And then the vandal was never caught or punished. Perhaps this is supposed to be like the dividing line between a Shakespearean tragedy versus a comedy and the bad guy gets his off screen? It just seems like a let down. That the event could have the positive outcome despite its intention should really have stuck in the “bad guy’s” craw, like another element of justice served, but we don’t get anything. Maybe the person is going to get their own story and this event will be revisited? One can only hope. Aside from that, this book was steamy, sweet, well-written, and such an entertaining read.
Out in the Offense is the third book in the Out in College series by the talented Lane Hayes. Dare I say this is my favorite of the series? It’s just so hard to pick, I love all these guys so much! We met both Christian and Rory in Out in the End Zone and I had no idea then how much I would love them together. Rory is an unexpected gem. He’s fresh, unique, sexy, smart…just everything! He is definitely my favorite of all the men in the series! His insight into life was priceless. He just knows who is he, what he wants and how to get there. He doesn’t judge, let things he can’t control upset him or let life get him down. He is who he is and I just loved that! Christian isn’t quite there yet. He’s not out and he’s still trying to make everyone is his life happy except for him. He knows what he wants, but he’s afraid to go after it. Failing statistics brings Rory into his life and it changes everything. Rory changes everything. He shows him how to solve complicated math word problems, how to relax and be himself. How to open up and take advice. He showed him who he wants to be and that he will be by his side no matter what. They have obstacles and difficult conversations about life and love. But they complement each other so well! I loved watching them grow together. Learn about each other. Lust for each other. This is one of those books I loved so much I wish I had time to read it again right now! Overall, I laughed, cried, swooned, got hot and bothered and just smiled a lot! I can’t wait for the next one!
4.5 stars- Out in the Offense marks the third release from Miss Hayes’s Out in College series, and for me this was the best one yet. Building off secondary characters featured in previous books, Out in the Offense pairs a new college graduate with a college senior who is the star quarterback for his college team. Although this novel happens within the same world as the rest of the series and there are cameos of previous (and possibly future) characters, the book can easily stand on its own.
Given what I knew about Rory as the ex of a previous main character within the series, I had mixed feelings about him going into this book. However, both Christian and Rory quickly won me over. I liked their pairing and the natural way they fit into one another’s lives and social circles. I also really liked how Rory’s past made it easy for him to understand why Christian chose to remain closeted for his college football career. So often the closeted man hooking up with the out hero runs a predictable course, so it was nice to see things unfold differently in this book.
The romance between Rory and Christian sparked quickly but built slowly, never feeling rushed in the least. As always, this author’s casual but measured style meant I loved immersing myself in this easy, low angst read. The characters, sweet romance, and quick-witted dialogue proved difficult to step away from and I found myself staying up into the wee hours to see how things would resolve. And I was oh so pleased the resolution didn’t play out like I expected…it was better and definitely worth the late night. If you’re looking for a new adult romance that doesn’t feel immature and will leave you with that warm, happy feeling in your chest, Out in the Offense is a must read.
*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*
My favorite of the series so far, I just adore Christian and Rory! There’s so much more to each of these guys than they present on the surface, and I loved seeing their relationship build. Rory was just so awesome with Christian- patient and caring, never pushing him for more than he was comfortable with, willing to let things develop at Christian’s pace. Christian had a lot weighing on him, between school, football, his father’s demands, his future, and his growing feelings for Rory. He had his fair share of struggles, but Rory was such a strong support system you just knew everything would be okay!
Out in the Offense is such a sweet, fun, sexy friends-to-lovers story, and like the other books in this series, there’s a deeper underlying theme that makes you stop and think.
I really love how Ms. Hayes handles these coming out stories- she really pulls at your heartstrings but not in an overly emotional or dramatic way. She writes characters that are so real you can’t help becoming fully invested in their stories and wanting the best for them.