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Getting Caught Up
Darren always fit into the boxes assigned to him. Straight. Male. Playboy. He's a college baseball player on the rise and things are looking good.
Celebrating their latest win, he's overheard by the college chancellor making homophobic comments. Forced to attend sensitivity training he's about to have everything he once believed challenged. Where he once thought he was tolerant and accepting, he soon discovers he has been ignorant and unintentionally hurtful.
Between discovering his childhood friend now sometimes wears dresses and even those closest to him aren't as straight as he once believed, Darren soon finds himself getting caught up with labels and genders he didn’t even know existed.
[Second Edition (Editorial Updates) April 2024]
Celebrating their latest win, he's overheard by the college chancellor making homophobic comments. Forced to attend sensitivity training he's about to have everything he once believed challenged. Where he once thought he was tolerant and accepting, he soon discovers he has been ignorant and unintentionally hurtful.
Between discovering his childhood friend now sometimes wears dresses and even those closest to him aren't as straight as he once believed, Darren soon finds himself getting caught up with labels and genders he didn’t even know existed.
[Second Edition (Editorial Updates) April 2024]
- GenresQueer
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
10 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 18, 2024
**Heads up for offensive and homophobic language ahead**
Another Amazon freebie fail.
I debated leaving a rating, but I just can't get past a specific word being used. (TARDS.)
To be fair, this is a book about a homophobic moron's redemption arc, so others may still enjoy it. I have 31 highlights from Chapter 1, where a group of college-age men sit around and spout some truly vile shit. The point is supposed to be that they are homophobic, sexist, sleazy assholes, I got it. But I don't think the OTT disgusting commentary needed to go on that long to prove a point.
I'd argue that you can write a racist character without using the n-word 10 times, for example. The f-word being used isn't my only issue, it's using the word "tards". I'm not even sure the last time I read or heard that used, but it was overkill.
So, the blurb says:
Celebrating their latest win, he's overheard by the college chancellor making homophobic comments.
Forced to attend sensitivity training he's about to have everything he once believed challenged. Where he once thought he was tolerant and accepting, he soon discovers he has been ignorant and unintentionally hurtful.
He soon discovers he's been ignorant and "unintentionally hurtful"???
Yeah, not buying it. A group of 5+ men sat around in a crowded diner openly talking about fags, using the word "tards", discussing a family member whose ex came out as gay, and saying children would BE BETTER OFF in foster care than with a "Nancy and his whore."
Look, some people still talk and think like this, but I don't pick up a gay romance book to listen to a bunch of uneducated college students talk like this. You can show homophobia without flaunting all of the nasty inner thoughts of ugly people. And what, are all of these losers going to get their redemption arc book? Hard pass.
Chapter 1, 18 pages:
• “What can I get for my favorite guys?” The sexy server always flirted shamelessly, but she was working for tips. They all enjoyed this extra spice.
• Later, he would invite her to their house party. Tonight, he would have her. He bet she tasted as good as she looked.
• “Diet Coke? Dude, that stuffs for pussies. What are you drinking that shit for? Go full-fat,” Zack harassed.
• “Daddy’s been pitching a fit about his grades or something. No idea, but Coach is speaking to him. I’m sure he’ll pull his finger out and get it sorted. As for the rest of the guys, they were caught hazing or something dumb. A bunch of tards forced some kids to wear dresses and derogatory signs. The women’s group complained or something dumb.” (I can't imagine using this language is that acceptable in the UK.)
• “You couldn’t pay me enough to even look at your dick, let alone touch it. I ain’t a filthy fag,” Zack spat back.
• “Oh, shut it with your homo-quotes. No one wants to hear that shit.” Zack’s voice grew louder. Callum took a long-suffering sigh. “It’s Shakespeare and a well-known quote.”
• “You guys talk about being gay so much I’m honestly starting to think you’re trying to tell us something.”
• “Not only is he a fucking homo, which is bad enough, but now he wants to drag his kids into this shit? His wife was alright, too. Pretty. Bit of a nag, but that’s just wives, ain’t it? He’s fucking thrown this grenade at us all and thinks we’re being unreasonable for being annoyed.”
• “Guy’s poisoning them with his homo-shit.”
• “I mean, I don’t know much about being gay, but aren’t the courts supposed to do what’s best for the kid? Surely being raised by gays is a point against them. So they should be fine,” Darren tried to be reassuring, but had no idea if his words were true, let alone helpful. (This is redemption arc guy, who is "unintentionally hurtful" LMAO)
• Zack was the same, but he seemed to think the world had gone ‘PC crazy’ (political correctness), and that everything was the fault of the gays or the immigrants. Darren was a bit of a dick, true, but he knew when he fucked up it was his own doing.
• “I’d rather they go into a freaking home or foster system than end up with the nancy and his whore.”
• “It’s disgusting. Why would any guy let himself be turned into a bitch like that? It’s not freaking natural. Bunch of fucking bum boys. What’s worse is they’re allowed to have kids now. Spreading their poison.” Zack wasn’t letting this go.
• “Oh, anal, I’m fine with. As long as there’s a pussy next to it. Don’t want to be going anywhere near someone else’s dirty dick. But anal is great.”
• “But Zack’s right. If I had a choice of being raised by queers or being in a home, I’d pick the home. The kid would get bullied something rotten. Better for the kid to be sent to a normal home and have a chance than to be labeled a freak and not even given a chance.”
• “Jesus Christ. What did I say? They’re freaking infecting everything. Now we can’t even have free speech. In a fucking diner. On our own time. Fucking pansy-assed bastards.”
• “Hey, it ain’t my fault there are all a bunch of queer-loving dickmunchers. I was only saying what everyone else thinks.”
• “It wouldn’t be a fucking problem if the chancellor’s son wasn’t a deviant. God, everyone knows sports is fucking homophobic. A bunch of sissy girls don’t belong in sports. It wasn’t long ago they would have been saying the same shit and worse. Fuck’em all,” Zack finished, spitting on the floor.
• “Well, like they think you’re a homo-hater, so like make a friend with one or something, and then be seen with them. The chancellor only heard Darren saying he thought the kids would get bullied, so like if he showed he didn’t hate gay people—”
• “There’s an LGBT group here. You could always go to it,” Callum suggested unhelpfully. “I wouldn’t be caught dead there,” Zack whipped back.
• “I’m not going anywhere near them freaks.”
• “Great, Friday night with you guys. Maybe I am a fag. It’s starting to sound like a good idea—Ow!” Zack cried out.
• “No, you dimwitted son of an ass. Stop saying faggot. It’s not exactly a nice word, anyway. And we aren’t going to convince the chancellor we aren’t a bunch of homo-haters if we keep using language like that,” Darren replied tiredly.
Another Amazon freebie fail.
I debated leaving a rating, but I just can't get past a specific word being used. (TARDS.)
To be fair, this is a book about a homophobic moron's redemption arc, so others may still enjoy it. I have 31 highlights from Chapter 1, where a group of college-age men sit around and spout some truly vile shit. The point is supposed to be that they are homophobic, sexist, sleazy assholes, I got it. But I don't think the OTT disgusting commentary needed to go on that long to prove a point.
I'd argue that you can write a racist character without using the n-word 10 times, for example. The f-word being used isn't my only issue, it's using the word "tards". I'm not even sure the last time I read or heard that used, but it was overkill.
So, the blurb says:
Celebrating their latest win, he's overheard by the college chancellor making homophobic comments.
Forced to attend sensitivity training he's about to have everything he once believed challenged. Where he once thought he was tolerant and accepting, he soon discovers he has been ignorant and unintentionally hurtful.
He soon discovers he's been ignorant and "unintentionally hurtful"???
Yeah, not buying it. A group of 5+ men sat around in a crowded diner openly talking about fags, using the word "tards", discussing a family member whose ex came out as gay, and saying children would BE BETTER OFF in foster care than with a "Nancy and his whore."
Look, some people still talk and think like this, but I don't pick up a gay romance book to listen to a bunch of uneducated college students talk like this. You can show homophobia without flaunting all of the nasty inner thoughts of ugly people. And what, are all of these losers going to get their redemption arc book? Hard pass.
Chapter 1, 18 pages:
• “What can I get for my favorite guys?” The sexy server always flirted shamelessly, but she was working for tips. They all enjoyed this extra spice.
• Later, he would invite her to their house party. Tonight, he would have her. He bet she tasted as good as she looked.
• “Diet Coke? Dude, that stuffs for pussies. What are you drinking that shit for? Go full-fat,” Zack harassed.
• “Daddy’s been pitching a fit about his grades or something. No idea, but Coach is speaking to him. I’m sure he’ll pull his finger out and get it sorted. As for the rest of the guys, they were caught hazing or something dumb. A bunch of tards forced some kids to wear dresses and derogatory signs. The women’s group complained or something dumb.” (I can't imagine using this language is that acceptable in the UK.)
• “You couldn’t pay me enough to even look at your dick, let alone touch it. I ain’t a filthy fag,” Zack spat back.
• “Oh, shut it with your homo-quotes. No one wants to hear that shit.” Zack’s voice grew louder. Callum took a long-suffering sigh. “It’s Shakespeare and a well-known quote.”
• “You guys talk about being gay so much I’m honestly starting to think you’re trying to tell us something.”
• “Not only is he a fucking homo, which is bad enough, but now he wants to drag his kids into this shit? His wife was alright, too. Pretty. Bit of a nag, but that’s just wives, ain’t it? He’s fucking thrown this grenade at us all and thinks we’re being unreasonable for being annoyed.”
• “Guy’s poisoning them with his homo-shit.”
• “I mean, I don’t know much about being gay, but aren’t the courts supposed to do what’s best for the kid? Surely being raised by gays is a point against them. So they should be fine,” Darren tried to be reassuring, but had no idea if his words were true, let alone helpful. (This is redemption arc guy, who is "unintentionally hurtful" LMAO)
• Zack was the same, but he seemed to think the world had gone ‘PC crazy’ (political correctness), and that everything was the fault of the gays or the immigrants. Darren was a bit of a dick, true, but he knew when he fucked up it was his own doing.
• “I’d rather they go into a freaking home or foster system than end up with the nancy and his whore.”
• “It’s disgusting. Why would any guy let himself be turned into a bitch like that? It’s not freaking natural. Bunch of fucking bum boys. What’s worse is they’re allowed to have kids now. Spreading their poison.” Zack wasn’t letting this go.
• “Oh, anal, I’m fine with. As long as there’s a pussy next to it. Don’t want to be going anywhere near someone else’s dirty dick. But anal is great.”
• “But Zack’s right. If I had a choice of being raised by queers or being in a home, I’d pick the home. The kid would get bullied something rotten. Better for the kid to be sent to a normal home and have a chance than to be labeled a freak and not even given a chance.”
• “Jesus Christ. What did I say? They’re freaking infecting everything. Now we can’t even have free speech. In a fucking diner. On our own time. Fucking pansy-assed bastards.”
• “Hey, it ain’t my fault there are all a bunch of queer-loving dickmunchers. I was only saying what everyone else thinks.”
• “It wouldn’t be a fucking problem if the chancellor’s son wasn’t a deviant. God, everyone knows sports is fucking homophobic. A bunch of sissy girls don’t belong in sports. It wasn’t long ago they would have been saying the same shit and worse. Fuck’em all,” Zack finished, spitting on the floor.
• “Well, like they think you’re a homo-hater, so like make a friend with one or something, and then be seen with them. The chancellor only heard Darren saying he thought the kids would get bullied, so like if he showed he didn’t hate gay people—”
• “There’s an LGBT group here. You could always go to it,” Callum suggested unhelpfully. “I wouldn’t be caught dead there,” Zack whipped back.
• “I’m not going anywhere near them freaks.”
• “Great, Friday night with you guys. Maybe I am a fag. It’s starting to sound like a good idea—Ow!” Zack cried out.
• “No, you dimwitted son of an ass. Stop saying faggot. It’s not exactly a nice word, anyway. And we aren’t going to convince the chancellor we aren’t a bunch of homo-haters if we keep using language like that,” Darren replied tiredly.
July 24, 2025
Labels, lessons, & a whole lot of growth
Getting Caught Up was a really solid read. Darren’s journey from being clueless to actually learning and growing felt real and relatable. He makes a lot of mistakes, but that’s kind of the point, it shows how messy growth can be.
I liked how the book tackled gender and identity in a way that felt honest without being preachy. It was eye-opening at times, and even a little funny too. Overall, a thoughtful and easy read with a good message.
Getting Caught Up was a really solid read. Darren’s journey from being clueless to actually learning and growing felt real and relatable. He makes a lot of mistakes, but that’s kind of the point, it shows how messy growth can be.
I liked how the book tackled gender and identity in a way that felt honest without being preachy. It was eye-opening at times, and even a little funny too. Overall, a thoughtful and easy read with a good message.
July 30, 2025
Great story!
I really enjoyed this gender fluid book. It resonated in certain places; the awkward prom moments, the being blocked after a single misunderstanding. Only I didn't get the same ending, sadly! Characters are very relatable for the community. Enjoyable!
I really enjoyed this gender fluid book. It resonated in certain places; the awkward prom moments, the being blocked after a single misunderstanding. Only I didn't get the same ending, sadly! Characters are very relatable for the community. Enjoyable!
March 30, 2024
Darren - loveable idiot
Sam - all the sass
Johnny - himbo
Callum - will cut you
Noah - the chess master in the shadows
Sam - all the sass
Johnny - himbo
Callum - will cut you
Noah - the chess master in the shadows
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews