Out of Nowhere by Roan Parrish

28549365Title: Out of Nowhere
Series: Middle of Somewhere: Book Two
Author: Roan Parrish
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (274 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (February 29th 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts
Blurb: The only thing in Colin Mulligan’s life that makes sense is taking cars apart and putting them back together. In the auto shop where he works with his father and brothers, he tries to get through the day without having a panic attack or flying into a rage. Drinking helps. So does running and lifting weights until he can hardly stand. But none of it can change the fact that he’s gay, a secret he has kept from everyone.

Rafael Guerrera has found ways to live with the past he’s ashamed of. He’s dedicated his life to social justice work and to helping youth who, like him, had very little growing up. He has no time for love. Hell, he barely has time for himself. Somehow, everything about miserable, self-destructive Colin cries out to him. But down that path lie the troubles Rafe has worked so hard to leave behind.

And as their relationship intensifies, Rafe and Colin are forced to dredge up secrets that both men would prefer stay buried.

ISBN: 978-1-63476-903-7

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7480

Reviewer: Leigh

Review: This book coincides with the first book in the series, In the Middle of Somewhere. I do not recommend reading this as a standalone.

I will start as saying that I mostly enjoyed this book, as I enjoyed the first book in the series. I really like Roan Parrish’s way of writing and telling a story. This story is told from the first-person narrative of Colin. As it was written that way it allowed me as a reader to see the emotional changes of Colin as the story goes on.

However, in the start I really did not like Colin. He has allowed his own self-hatred and that of his family turn him into a very unlikeable and bully of a man. It left me really unsure how Rafe, who the sweetest most awesome man, could fall in love and actively pursue a relationship with Colin.

Reading things from Colin’s part of view honestly made me a little depressed for him. His world is full of drinking, working, and being around his father and brothers. He punishes himself for being gay himself, and the way he treats his brother Daniel for it, just did not make me like him. Colin is messed up, and as a reader you definitely feel it.

Rafe on the other hand is the exact opposite of Colin. He is sweet and kind, works with LGBT kids, and has a great and loving family. Although he is not perfect either. But he has also faced up to his demons and moved on to make a better life for himself and to help others.

Like the first book, this definitely has angst. A lot of it. There is pain and anger. But there is also the slow building of a man who starts to accept who he is. Colin starts to become a better man. This is not just about Rafe and Colin’s relationship. It also tells how a man, Colin, starts to adjust his thinking about himself and what he thinks others expect of him, about finding himself.

This book gave me a lot of feeling. There is disgust, anger, laughter, and finally happiness.

If you enjoyed the first book in the series, then you will really like this one, also.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *