A journey through the wilderness can reveal the wild within.
Arthur Mercer has spent his life hidden in Newfoundland’s rugged wilderness, where nature’s untamed beauty offers him peace from an overwhelming world. As a renowned wildlife photographer, he finds solace in the quiet, predictable presence of birds and nature, which matches the solitude he craves. But when Trevor Walsh, an adventurous wildlife veterinarian, crosses his path, Arthur’s carefully built walls begin to crumble.
Trevor is everything Arthur is not—outgoing, bold, and constantly seeking the wildest parts of life. Drawn together by the landscapes they love, they soon uncover the hidden depths they've kept from the world, and reveal their truest selves to each other.
In the raw beauty of Newfoundland, their connection runs deep. Trevor’s boundless energy stirs something in Arthur, and breaks through his quiet, guarded existence. And in return, Arthur’s calm presence allows Trevor to experience the beauty of stillness.
As they strip away their masks, they discover the wild freedom they’ve been searching for isn't just in the world around them—it’s within each other.
Dip Out is a standalone MM romance with an HEA. Books in this series do not need to be read in order.
Eve is an avid lover of coffee, getting lost in fictional worlds, crafting and ducks. She lives in a small town in Atlantic Canada with a bunch of animals and plans to get many more, much to her family and friends dismay.
When she’s not writing or trying to get ducks to love her, she can usually be found fantasizing about living in a tree house, riding her horses, and exploring Nova Scotia.
Eve enjoys a challenge, and will gladly turn the strangest writing prompt into a book. There’s much more to come, we’re just getting started!
This was lovely, interesting, and fulfilling. A bit sad, but overall very balanced and I mostly had a smile on my face. It's completely different from the first book in this series, which doesn't have to be read in order, but it's just as good. I think I particularly like the writing style. There isn't much plot, but it's the many quiet moments that make this story special. And if you like nature and want to learn about birds, then this is the book for you. Hmmm, I would have loved to read a few hundred more pages about the lives of Arthur and Trevor. I really like how Arthur's autism is presented and I really like how Trevor adapts to him without changing himself. It's all very organic.
Arthur barely gives me anything, like he’s always holding back and I’m only seeing the tip of the iceberg. But those small, rare moments when he lets his guard down just a little bit… they’re enough to make me want more, and to dive beneath the surface where I know there’s so much more to him. Every guy I’ve ever been with, whether I can call it a relationship or not, has felt shallow and empty, like there was nothing new to discover. But with Arthur… I crave that discovery. I want to uncover everything he hides away, and to know him in a way no one else does. 🦊🤩🦊
He doesn’t judge, and he doesn’t tell me to get over it. He doesn’t tell me I’m too sensitive, and he’s not afraid of me. He makes me feel safe. And he makes me feel like I can do things. 🫠🦊🫠
“There are lots of ways to have sex… we can use our mouths, our hands… I can rub my cock against yours…” My breath catches as he trails his lips across my jaw, and his hips meet mine. “I’ve fucked, and been fucked,” he continues in a low voice as his lips reach my ear. “But, Firefox… there is nothing like having your body pressed against mine. That’s all I need.” 😍💞😍
First thing out the gate, I absolutely think Eve Holmes should be contracted by the Canadian Tourism board for these books, because every one I have read has had me googling the hell out of images of the provinces they're based in and wanting to visit to experience the animals, scenery and sights. You can really feel the love that Holmes has for the people and places of Canada through these stories.
I finished this book a little while ago and have been sitting on my thoughts for a bit trying to make sense of my take aways. I found that I enjoyed the first book in this series, Tide Over, a little more than this one, but I think that is in part due to the expectations I had coming in to it. Tide Over was a much more traditional romance, whereas I think that in Dip Out, Arthur's coming of age story arc was much more front and centre.
Arthur was a very interesting main character, and honestly at times a slightly challenging romantic lead. I appreciate that Holmes wanted to write a book with real representation of a character with autism and I think she achieved this in a way that is authentic and sensitive. Arthur's autism is not cute or quirky. Arthur has very real and significant struggles with social isolation, forming friendship and navigating social interactions which many people take for granted and he doesn't get to turn his autism off when it's convenient for him or the story.
It was lovely to see him find a connection with Trevor and to watch their relationship grow. I think that they're one of those fictional couples who you feel pleased that they found love with each other. That being said though, Trevor did at times feel a bit less like his own character and more a convinient narrative device to facilitate Arthur's coming of age story. Trevor's emotional intelligence and ability to navigate Arthur's behavioural needs felt at times to me to be just a bit too perfect and as a result, whilst I found their chemistry to be hot, I just didn't quite click with their story as much as I would have liked to have.
As a coming of age story, this would be a solid 4 star read. As a romance however, this was probably closer to a 3 star read, bringing it to 3.5 (rounded down just cause I can't put it on the same level as my enjoyment of book 1 which was 4 stars).
The real MVP for me is Neville the racoon. The amount of cute aggression racoons give me is truly out of this world.
I'm really excited to continue this series however to see where the next province will be with our tattood biker cameo ❤️
5 “you’re extraordinary, and this world would be a lot dimmer if you weren’t you” stars
He’s everything I’ve been searching for- freedom, connection, belonging … It’s all right here, in his arms.
I live in the middle of nowhere in Canada (surrounded by a lot of forest) so a book that is all about falling in love while exploring the fauna and flora of Newfoundland sounds like the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was so excited to read this book, and I had super high expectations for it due to how excited I was, and this book not only met my expectations, but it also totally exceeded each and every one of them. I don’t know if I can find words to describe how much I absolutely adored every second I spent reading this book, but I will try my best.
Mini-blurb: Arthur, a nature photographer stumbles upon a hurt bird while he is taking pictures, and he takes the bird to a local vet. He then meets the vet, Trevor. They fall in love slowly over many hikes and talks about different animals that they meet in the wild.
The dynamic between Arthur and Trevor was one of the best one I have ever read in a book; I just adored them together so much. Arthur is not the biggest fan of people, he doesn’t want to hang out with them and loves his routine and quiet, but he breaks all his rules for Trevor and invites him in because he feels safe with him and because Trevor is the one person in the world that can quiet the thoughts in his head. Trevor is always living life in the fast way, but with Arthur he learns to enjoy the quiet and to take his time and appreciate the little things in life. They balanced each other perfectly. I just loved how they supported each other and how they were always there for each other even when things got hard. They were such a quiet and powerful force in each other’s life, and it was just so lovely to read about.
The love between Arthur and Trevor was the very definition of a gentle love. I loved how they could always count on the other to calm them down when a situation got though and I loved how their favorite place in the world was in each other’s arms. Trevor was so lovely, and I loved how he was always there for Arthur and how he always tried to understand what Arthur needed at any given time, he was always supporting his man, and it made me swoon so much while I was reading. And Arthur always did the same, even when it was harder for him to do. I loved how Trevor was so understanding and supportive of Arthur and how Arthur felt like he could try new things with Trevor because Trevor makes him feel safe and is his soft spot to land when things get rough and he needs a minute to regroup. And mostly, I loved how Arthur knew that he could do hard things because Trevor was always there to support him through everything. These two were just the perfect balance for each other and it was a joy to read.
He’s seen parts of me I’ve never shown anyone else, and I’ve shared more with him than I ever thought I would. And yet he’s still here, and he’s still choosing me.
Arthur is autistic and I absolutely loved how it was shown in the book. I loved all of the descriptions about how he sees the world and I really enjoyed learning about his routines and his way to handle new to him situations that were really stressful and disrupted his routines. Arthur didn’t like to do anything outside of the routine he carefully created for himself and this book had so many descriptions of his being overwhelmed and not knowing how to act when his plans changed and I thought that it was fascinating to read about how his brain works and about his different mechanisms to deal with the big changes that came into his life.
Can we just talk about the descriptions of the setting and the fauna and flora in this book? Because damn! I was in awe at the atmosphere set by the author. I swear I spent the entire book wanting to google how much it would be for me to buy a plane ticket to visit Newfoundland. I just wanted to live in the world described in this book, so much. I always been vocal almost my love of a very good atmosphere in books and the atmosphere in this book was just insane. There is something truly magical about a book that sets a setting so powerful that you just get lost in the descriptions in the world, and this book did that brilliantly. I learnt so many interesting facts about so many different wildlife animals and birds and I am grateful to now know every one of them. Arthur and Trevor bounded with each other by hiking together and sharing different fun facts about animals and it was just so swoony, I absolutely adored each and every one of their interactions.
I was dark and empty before he found me in the shadows and brought me out of hiding. He’s filled me with light, showed me the colours I didn’t know I had, and helped me send my fire out into the world, like a trail of flickering sparks across the night sky. With him, every part of me is now burning… bright and free.
Such a soft, heart-warming story. Beautifully written autistic character. Read this for Arthur - not for an epic love story, smut or relationship angst. The depiction of autistic people in books is something close to my heart and I thought the author managed this wonderfully.
Arthur is sensitively written, he feels authentic and not like a caricature. I’ve encountered so many other books where autistic characters feel like they are either plucked from a textbook, fit a tick box list of stereotypical traits or are subjected to endless repetitions of being called weird. Characters are often ‘autistic coded’ but not ‘autistic enough’ to be written in the complex way that genuinely resonates with me.
Arthur is not just quirky. He faces significant challenges in his job and personal relationships as well as battling his own mind. I found the scenes with Trevor’s parents particularly heartwarming but also a little sad, as they manage the ups and downs of Arthur’s independence.
Trevor is the perfect counterpart to Arthur. In fact he felt too perfect to be real. Which is really the main thing that didn’t make this 5 stars for me. The romance was sweet but it was the weaker part of the story.
I’m really happy this book didn’t feel like a lecture. Which I fear this review has turned into. Just read it, it’s absolutely lovely.
♾️⭐️ All the stars. Every. Last. One Arthur + Trevor 🖤
The most beautifully perfect autism representation I've ever read. An adorable meet cute. And allll the swoon.
....
"He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met… or anyone I’ve ever been interested in. He’s awkward and reserved with me, but when it comes to animals, especially birds, there’s a certainty in him, and a quiet confidence."
“I’ve never been interested in anyone. So…” He shrugs lightly. “I… don’t know what I am.” I step in closer to him. “You don’t have to be anything,” I say quietly. “You’re Arthur. That’s all I need.”
"I felt like I could. Because he squeezed my hand and held me, and he let me be anxious. He doesn’t judge, and he doesn’t tell me to get over it. He doesn’t tell me I’m too sensitive, and he’s not afraid of me. He makes me feel safe. And he makes me feel like I can do things."
“You see the world differently, and you notice things no one else does. The way the light hits the water, the way the wind rustles the trees… and you make me see it too.”
"I lift my other hand to gently tilt his chin up. But I don’t need him to look me in the eyes, and I understand when he doesn’t. I just need him to hold his head a little higher, and stand a little taller. He deserves to feel the strength I see in him, and to know his worth."
"Every time I show him another part of me, something I’ve kept hidden from the world, he pulls me closer instead of pushing me away."
"I give myself up to him completely, continually in awe that he wants to do this with me. His hands glide up my sides, and I step closer, accepting everything he’s offering. It’s something he’s never shared with anyone else before, but he shares it with me. He’s let me in, and allowed me into his world… and I am so fucking lucky."
“Fuck, Arthur,” I say as I stroke him. “You’re fucking gorgeous.”
"His cheeks flush slightly as he smiles, and god he’s so fucking cute."
....
⚠️potential spoilers below in detailed tropes and trigger warnings. Also spoilery swooning below ⬇️⬇️
Tropes: Wildlife photographer Wildlife veterinarian Autism rep Special interest in birds Slow burn First kiss Virgin MC Self discovery Sexual awakening Pet raccoon Consent kings Pet name "Firefox" They rehab an injured bird together Small town "Stay" All the swoon Supportive family and friends Low angst within relationship Camping and hiking together
TWs: Offensive comments about autism from minor side character
I just need to note also that Arthur never got to the point that he was okay to have penetrative (anal) sex. All their encounters were hand jobs, blow jobs or frotting. And Trevor was so patient and accepting and never guilted him or coerced him. Nothing. Just fully accepted him as-is in every single way. And it was beautiful.
After reading friends' reviews and realizing that Dip Out features a neurodivergent/autistic MC, I decided to give this new-to-me author a go. And I'm so happy I did because I would have missed out on this hopeful, gorgeous story.
I'm not into birds at all but could have listened to Arthur talk about them forever. A bird with a broken wing brings Arthur, a sought-after wildlife photographer, and Trevor, a vet and researcher with a focus on wildlife conservation, together, and it's nothing short of fate.
This is such a warm story, sensual, peaceful, brimming with acceptance and love.
If you're looking for angst or action, you won't find it here. It's not that kind of a book. It's slower paced, but never boring.
And the HEA is nothing short of magnificent.
With him, every part of me is now burning ... bright and free.
He's perfect. We're perfect.
And we will always stay wild.
Special shoutout to Neville the raccoon who has Arthur wrapped around his tiny paw. I smiled so wide every time Neville was on page. He's as special as the MCs.
that was so freaking cute and swoon worthy 😭 i just love Trevor & Author so so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i literally couldn’t put this story down, every aspect of this warmed my heart & the autism representation in this is TOP TIER. this book was written so so beautifully. I don’t think I’ll every get over these two 🥺🥺🥺🥺
So ridiculously swoony 🥰 Where can I find a Trevor IRL?!
I have no idea how Eve continuously comes up with these characters who absolutely steal my heart and make me love them so wholeheartedly!
Arthur is such an endearing and beautiful character and I loved his journey in this story. I like how we got to experience the highs and lows with him in such great detail - the buzzing, the stimming, the self-soothing and calming methods - because these are things that I usually find are overlooked when representing autism. I empathised so much with the sensory overload, I'm exactly the same as Arthur in that situation, but I also loved seeing Arthur work out where his boundaries were and figuring out ways to be present but also be comfortable which is something I've never wanted to do for myself 😂 Wilderness hermit life sounds like a dream!
Trevor was also super interesting and I genuinely would love to be best friends with both of these characters and hang out in the wilderness with them. The way they bond over the bird and it's recovery was so bloody cute. The relationship between Arthur and Trevor actually feels so wholesome and healthy and it had me smiling so much, when I wasn't crying that is! Trevor being Arthur's opposite worked really well too. I loved how he's really into being active with playing hockey, bike riding, cycling, yet struggles to keep up with Arthur on their hikes 😂I did struggle to keep up with Trevor's family ties though and I would have liked a family tree to go along with the map.
The wider friendship group was also really fun and I loved how they make sure Arthur is comfortable enough to be himself with them. I really hope we get to see some of these side characters again in future books because they were all entertaining and felt like real people, not just filler characters!
I will say I'm extremely jealous of where Arthur and Trevor live - it sounds so idyllic and if I wasn't terrified of flying I would totally want to go visit!
I have no idea what's coming in the next book in the Northern Roots series, but the set up has definitely got me intrigued and I will definitely be giving some consideration to what my favourite tree is... 😂 *****
I received an ARC of this book from Eve Holmes, and this is my honest review
ARC Review | 5⭐ Release: April 8, 2025 | MCs: Arthur &Trevor
Eve sent me a copy of this book, but don’t worry—I’m still bringing my unfiltered, honest thoughts!
“We didn’t dip out*,” I say. (...)“I don’t think we ever dip out, Firefox.”
*Dip Out - to leave a place or situation suddenly or prematurely.
Dip Out is set against the breathtaking landscapes of Newfoundland, the 2nd book in the Northern Roots: Atlantic series—a collection of standalones based in Atlantic Canada. 🐦⬛🌳 And trust me, I’m not about to dip out on this series—I’m here to stay!
Arthur is a quiet, autistic wildlife photographer who finds peace in Newfoundland’s wild landscapes, with a particular passion for birds. 🙂 Routine and solitude are his comfort—until Trevor enters his world, shaking everything up.Trevor is an adventurous, outgoing wildlife vet who’s always seeking the next thrill. He’s everything Arthur isn’t, but together they find a deep connection and a new kind of freedom.
Tropes & tags 💚 Small town romance🌳 Opposites attract💚 Wilderness and nature🌳 Autism rep💚 First times🌳 Slow burn💚 Found family🌳 Sexual awakening💚 Wildlife photographer and wildlife vet
This book transported me to Newfoundland—I felt the wild wind, smelled the forest and salty sea, and witnessed two beautiful souls falling in love. 💚🪶🐦⬛🌳🌊🦌🦦🐿️🦅🦝 The birds, and the other animals, the landscapes were so vivid, but it was the birds that stood out most—Arthur saw them as a perfect, predictable flock, each adding to the magic of his world.
I loved their connection—watching Firefox reveal his true colors and Trevor guiding him into a new world. Their bond built naturally, alongside the bird’s recovery. Did it feel a bit fast? Maybe. A week for such deep feelings? Sure. But it didn’t feel rushed. No trauma or major healing, just a connection unfolding at its own pace. I’ll admit I would’ve liked a slower burn—more random dates, more getting to know each other—but the story felt real and thoughtful.
Seeing Arthur’s struggles and inner thoughts can be overwhelming, but in the end, I believe in what Trevor says—that Arthur is incredibly strong. His strength isn’t always obvious, but it’s there in the way he faces challenges. That pub scene, though… I kept thinking, Jesus, Trevor, why take him there? But Trevor wasn’t perfect—he was learning, figuring out Arthur’s limits, making mistakes along the way. Eve based this story, especially Arthur, on her experiences with autism, so I chose to trust that authenticity over my own assumptions. Even when Trevor made mistakes, it felt true to the journey they were both on. This journey helped Arthur build defenses, but it also allowed Trevor to slow down, take a breath, and appreciate a quieter life.
I’m his Firefox. And he 's my Guide.
I could read pages of them just kissing. 🫠🫠🫠 The intimacy, the chemistry, the sex—Firefox is a curious, eager thing, ready to learn, touch, taste, and feel everything. It was beautiful, sexy, and hot. And Trevor? Always the dirty gentleman. 😅 I also loved that they discussed their expectations in this, and the intimacy that they achieve is just beautiful!
Fuck, you’re going to make me come…” I groan. “Do you want to?” he asks breathlessly, hesitating for a moment. I grab his ass and pull him tight against me. “I really do.” Then… he surprises me again. Arthur leans back, drops a hand between us, and wraps it around us both. Oh my god. I stare up at him as he keeps his eyes down on our cocks in his hand, and he starts to stroke us. My wild Firefox…
They were supported by family (Trevor’s HUGE one) and friends while finding their own quiet balance. Now, I can’t stop dreaming of those landscapes, the peaceful life, endless trails, and wildlife. What a dream place. What a dream life.
The Tyson situation felt completely gratuitous. It came out of nowhere, especially from a longtime friend, and was never mentioned again.
The “bergy” guy with a weird fascination for trees left me intrigued, I’m curious!🌳
No matter what this world throws at us, and no matter what forces try to shift our path, we’ll face it together. This journey we’re on is beautiful, wild, and ours. Every current, every gust of wind, and every scar etched into the landscape of our lives only makes us stronger. And as Arthur smiles back at me, I know he feels the same way I do. We’re wild. We’re free. And nothing will ever take that away from us.
⚠️Trigger Warnings -Disability discrimination (not from any main or prominent character, brief) -Detailed descriptions of anxiety, sensory overwhelm, and emotional overwhelm -Injured wildlife (not descriptive, focused on healing and rehabilitation) -Wildlife conservation work and research, including tranquilizing and taking samples (brief, no discomfort or harm to animal)
❣️Book Safety & Content -Cheating:No -OM/OW Drama:No -Third-Act Breakup:No -Role Dynamics: non penetrative sex -POV: 1st person (dual) -Format: Series (but complete standalones) -Angst Level: Medium Low -Spice Level: Medium low -Audiobook- Not at the time of this review
Dip Out is a fantastic emotional romance between professional nature photographer Arthur and veterinarian Trevor. Together, they embark on an incredible journey of self-discovery, growth, and perseverance while navigating their newfound feelings for one another.
Dip Out is a beautiful romance that I could not get enough of. Arthur is a wonderful soul who has overcome numerous obstacles in his life due to his high-functioning autism. Seeing his perspective on life and how he processes everything was crucial to understanding his character. I was also in awe of Trevor's immense patience and willingness to understand and learn from someone who processes things much differently than everyone else.
Together, their story is filled with warm and beautiful moments while experiencing their own misunderstandings along the way. Overall, I could not get enough of these two. I loved how I was able to feel part of the atmosphere and scenery in this story, which was perfectly described and captured. I could easily imagine the stunning scenes filled with endless nature and animals. I loved being transported to another place and cannot wait to return.
** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Another beautiful story from Eve Holmes! She has me wanting to pack my bags and travel to these parts of Canada. The way she describes the area and scenery are unreal. I fell in love with Newfoundland as much as I did these characters.
This book is extremely special because Arthur is autistic. I have 3 children on the autism spectrum and I know so much about stimming and repetitive thoughts and sensory overload. Reading about Arthur when he was having a meltdown (I hate that word) was so real to me. I loved Arthur so much. Eve did such an amazing job portraying someone on the spectrum.
No one is alike when they have autism and people tend to make assumptions because they only think of one way for autistic people to be. Someone on the spectrum is more than capable of living a completely independent life and the fact that Arthur is fully autonomous was so amazing to see. He has made his life the best way it can be for him. He never even imagined someone could love him because outside of his parents people looked at him like he was different. When Trevor tells him there is no way to be normal I wanted to cry happy tears because when you realize this it opens up a totally new world to you.
Trevor was extraordinary. He saw beyond Arthur’s autism to who he truly was. I only wish I had his patience. His friends were amazing also. I wish real life was more like this. Books give us the happy ending but in reality life is not always happy. Of course Arthur and Trevor were going to constantly face challenges but that’s what you do when you love someone. And everyone is worthy of love.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Neville! A pet raccoon? He was adorable! And the bird that brought Arthur and Trevor together? This story was beautiful in every way.
**I received an ARC for my honest review **All thoughts and opinions are my own
What an absolutely lovely read this was! ☺️ On top of the picturesque setting and sweet story, we also got a mischievous little raccoon named Neville that made things even more precious ✨🦝 ✨
First and foremost, I want to say that this was the best autism representation I've read in a book to date 💙 As the mother of an autistic child, I was surprised how well the author captured elements of the disability. While Autism is a spectrum, and no two people's experiences are the same, I think there are some universal aspects that she managed to capture well. The sensory issues, rumination, and general overwhelm were portrayed well throughout. It was refreshing to see autism treated in a respectful way and not just something thrown around to get disability cred in a book.
Beyond the representation, the story itself was absolutely lovely 🥰 Sure, it was Arthur and Trevor's love story, but in many ways it was Arthur's coming-of-age story, and I loved that for him. I loved watching him open up and step out of his comfort zone with help from Trevor. It was beautiful to see someone so understanding and supportive being there for Arthur without judgment 🥹 Honestly though, Trevor was a little too perfect. I wish he'd been at least a little flawed because let's be real, if Trevor was that perfect, someone would have snapped him up already. There aren't Trevors just lying about all over the place these days 🤣
It wasn't just Trevor that was wonderful though, his friends and family were amazing as well. Without their support and understanding, I'm not sure things would have gone as smoothly as they did with Arthur trying new things. The group's effort to understand Arthur and the way they tried to make him feel welcome and adapt to his circumstances was heartwarming. Everyone deserves to have such amazing support from their friends and family 🫶🏻
As always, we’re back with another round of.. I rated this book an infinity star, and now I don’t know what to write or how to make an edit for a book that I loved so much.. but we’re going to try. This one is going to be seriously HARD for me guys. There are SO many layers to Trevor and Arthur’s story. Nothing could ever compare to the feelings of actually reading this book. Please please please just pick it up. Please.
If you’ve made it this far in to my review already, I’m going to try to keep this vague because it really does just need to be experienced. You need to watch the absolute beauty of this story unfold before you.
Arthur is autistic. He’s a very sweet, very special, caring, creative, artistic, loving, emotional young man. He’s a professional wildlife photographer. He’s big time. He works with National Geographic. EVERYONE wants him, wants to hire him, wants his photos on their walls. He’s extremely talented. But he is lonely. Except he doesn’t even know he’s lonely until Trevor comes into his life.
Trevor is a veterinarian. He’s a busy man. He works a lot, he’s got a huge family, and great friends. He never knew how much he needed to slow down and enjoy his life until Arthur showed him what it means to enjoy the quiet.
These two are true strangers, to friends, to lovers. In the most natural of ways. Trevor just wants so badly to understand Arthur. To help him. To lift him up. And to help him just BE. The best version of himself that he can be. Trevor thinks Arthur is just perfect the way he is. And Arthur is left unpacking years and years of self suppression to remember his who. And his why.
These two were beautiful. Absolutely stunning to read. Their love story will stick with me for years to come. I chose not to add a spice level to this review. Because although their relationship is not one based off their sexual attraction to one another, their sexual relationship worked for them. Just the way it was always meant to. True soul mates. Fated mates. Star crossed lovers. I’ll never get over them. Ever.
Arthur taught me a lot about almost everything. He taught me about birds and animals of all kinds. About love. And I think we could all take a lesson out of Arthur’s book about loving and accepting yourself, no matter what that looks like for you.
"I don't quite know how to explain it, but I feel this magnetic pull, like a quiet connection is drawing us closer, despite how different we are. He's reserved and methodical, while I'm outgoing and spontaneous. And yet, we understand each other. It almost feels like I've known him far longer than I have, even though there's so much more to uncover with him."
Dip Out by Eve Holmes is a low angst, found family, MM contemporary romance and can be read as standalone. It's book 2 in the author's Northern Roots: Atlantic series, which are all set in in one of the four provinces of Atlantic Canada. Dip Out takes place in Newfoundland and is Trevor and Arthur's story.
What To Expect:
❣️MM romance ❣️First times ❣️Slow burn ❣️Found family ❣️Autism rep ❣️Low angst ❣️Cute as anything ❣️HEA
★★★★★. A huge thank you to the author for this ARC! Please be aware my review will have some spoilers! I first off want to thank the author for giving representation with Autism and not shying away from any of the traits that follows this diagnosis. I absolutely was floored with how Eve wrote it and brought it to light. I was so happy that it was done in a proper way and you could feel the character with the diagnosis grow with it.
Now, this may be the best MM small town romance book I’ve read in a long time. The plot, the characters, the chemistry, the side characters and the little details all had me smiling, crying and laughing straight from chapter one. Both Arthur and Trevor were phenomenal characters who grew with each other and realized they love to experience the quiet and the “wild” with each other.
Trevor, ugh the most perfect mmc ever. I absolutely loved how this man was written. He truly saw Arthur for ARTHUR only and not his diagnosis. He made sure to always put Arthur first and make sure he was comfortable with anything. His immediate connection when just seeing Arthur and then being consumed when Arthur talked about birds was everything. This man sat back with a never ending smile and just let his man be himself. His understanding of all the things Arthur does to calm himself when he has a panic attack or just when it gets too loud for him, perfection. He himself is perfect. He literally saves animals ALL DAY. His love for Arthur was gradual but you can pinpoint the exact moment when he fell and man did he. HIS PROPOSAL WAS PERFECT.
Arthur, the other most perfect mmc ever. Our Firefox! His Autism was handled beautifully. I hated how he saw himself because of the bullying in the high-school and reading how he eventually saw himself as Trevor did was everything. I loved his relationship with his parents and how they were so supportive of Arthur because in books now you don’t see a good parent/child relationship that much. Their reaction to Arthur finally being happy in not just work but with Trevor made me SOB. I loved when he went on his little tangents about the birds because that was him. When he finally opened up and started to become friends with Trevor friends and they all loved him for him too. EVERYTHING. The wedding scene was PERFECT. I absolutely loved how it was Arthur making the first move because it showed the growth in him breaking routine!
For my safety gang, completely safe! Trevor isn’t a virgin, but he hasn’t been with anyone in a while. Arthur is due to his autism and he doesn’t like to be around people so it made sense.
“He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met… or anyone I’ve ever been interested in. He’s awkward and reserved with me, but when it comes to animals, especially birds, there’s a certainty in him, and a quiet confidence. My eyes trace over his disheveled red hair, his glasses that sit perfectly on his nose and frame his bright green eyes, and the sharp line of his jaw. He’s attractive… but it’s so much more than that. There’s a quiet intensity about him, and the way he seems so attuned to the natural world keeps drawing me in.”
“I don’t like people touching me,” I say quietly. He turns to look at me and his eyes dart to his arm resting on the couch behind me. “But…” I pause, letting my eyes slide back to Neville as I gather my thoughts, not even sure what it is I want to say to him. “I like holding your hand.” “I do too,” he says softly. ”
Arthur’s character is definitely the standout for me. We experience his highs and lows as someone living with autism, and I think it was well represented, not only in actions but also his mentality as well. Sharing those experiences with him through the pages was heartbreaking at times. But then we get to see him emerge and start to take chances and it was beautiful to see that growth. Much of it due to Trevor.
Trevor is just a solid and cool guy. Has a great community surrounding him and wants to start slowing down and live his life with someone by his side. The highlight for Trevor was his patience, understanding, and consistent support for Arthur. Always asking him what he needs, and providing that grounding support. Getting Arthur out of his comfort zone, going on adventures, and seeing the world through a different lens (hehehe book pun) and just being happy.
Such a sweet and wholesome story. Of course we get spectacular writing and descriptions from Eve, transporting us right there in nature and their jobs. I know so much more about birds now and watch me start listening to all their calls! 😂 This was adorable and I love their love. They really have their own little world and it's just the cutest.
I will say I could've used a little more of Trevors insight about his life/dreams/wants etc. We got sooo much from Arthur that Trevor's perspective didn't feel as deep.
Pierwszy tytuł w tej serii mnie chwycił mocno, drugi wcale nie puścił.
Choć nie ukrywam, że tego drugiego trochę się bałam - bo ptaki, bo przyroda, bo pewnie opisy tego wszystkiego - myślałam sobie, że mogę mieć problemy z przebrnięciem przez to. No i okazało się, że zupełnie niepotrzebnie. Już pierwsza historia powinna mi podpowiedzieć, że Eve Holmes w tej serii to absolutnie moje klimaty. Nie miałam najmniejszych problemów, wręcz przeciwnie. Trudno było mi się oderwać, choć musiałam, bo wiecie... praca 🫤
Można zarzucić, że Trevor jest bohaterem zbyt idealnym. Bez skaz i wad. I to będzie prawda. To idealność na poziomie Vaughna z Love Me Whole. Ale powiedzmy sobie szczerze, że to nie o Trevora w tej historii chodzi, tylko o Arthura, który jest w spektrum autyzmu. Bo to jego książka - zgarnia ją totalnie. Ktoś w jakimś krótkim i mało gwiazdkowym komentarzu napisał, że autorka tak bardzo skupiła się na aspekcie autyzmu, że to było przesadzone, zbyt dziecinne i banalne aż do progu wręcz obraźliwego. Cóż mogę powiedzieć - ja nie poczułam się obrażona 😁 Dla mnie siedzenie w głowie Arthura było fascynujące. Nie potrzebowałam dramatycznych zwrotów akcji, których właściwie nie ma - można w pewien sposób nawet powiedzieć, że w tej książce niewiele się dzieje - ale podróż wraz z Arthurem przez jego życie zupełnie to wynagradza. Przynajmniej dla mnie.
Historia jest słodka, ale tak jak i w przypadku idealności Trevora zupełnie mi to nie przeszkadzało. Rzadko mi się to zdarza, ale są takie książki, w których jest to po prostu naturalne, właściwe i na miejscu. I to jest jedna z nich.
Każdy Arthur tego świata zasługuje na swojego Trevora, nawet, jeżeli jest mało prawdopodobne, aby w realu taki Trevor istniał - ale nadzieję można mieć 💙
My favorite part of any book is always the connection between the main characters, and oh boy, does Eve Holmes deliver! From their very first interaction, you can feel the chemistry crackling between them, pulling you into their world.
Trevor is the sweetest man ever—kind, patient, and always searching for a relationship where he can build a deep, meaningful connection. When he meets Arthur, it’s as if he’s found exactly what he’s been looking for. From the very beginning, Ethan puts in the effort to understand Arthur, making it clear that he sees him for who he truly is. And then there’s Arthur—oh, Arthur. He has spent most of his life feeling like he’s too much, like he’s destined to be alone, but then Trevor comes along, and suddenly, Arthur realizes he doesn’t have to carry that weight alone.
These two will steal your heart. They are meant to be together, not just because of their undeniable chemistry, but because they provide exactly what the other needs. Their journey is one of love, acceptance, and healing, and watching them fall so deeply for each other is nothing short of breathtaking.
On top of that, the autistic representation in this book is beautifully and authentically portrayed. It adds so much depth to the story, making it feel even more real and impactful. Eve Holmes has crafted something truly special here, and I can’t wait to see what she brings us in the next book!
Wow it’s been a long time since I’ve been tempted to give a book five stars. Though this book is being rated at five stars I have to admit it’s actually a 4.5. But it came so close!!
I loved this book so much. Arthur is an amazing wildlife photographer living life through the lens of autism. He stumbles upon an injured bird in the wild and when he seeks out a vet to help it, the meet cute happens between our MMCs.
This book shines in part due to its dual POV. It would have still been a great read if it was written from only one of the MMCs perspectives but getting a glimpse into both of their inner thoughts was powerful, especially Arthur’s perspective.
I debated between giving this book four or five stars for the sole reason that Arthur, who has mostly lived life secluded and feeling less than, goes through a slight “he makes me better” progression throughout the story. I love a story with neurodivergent characters but I get an uneasy feeling when the introduction of a romantic partner gives off “our relationship fixes me” vibes. And yes, there were many scenes with Arthur struggling and Trevor being unsure of how to help him, but they felt easily resolved and the ultimate “drama” that happened between them was because of a third party.
The mental health journey and the representation of a neurodivergent character was really well written. Arthur has many scenes both alone and shared where he struggles with his autism and the internal push and pull of wanting to maintain the routines that give him comfort, while allowing himself to experience new things.
My relationship with Trevor’s character is sort of conflicted. As book boyfriends go, he was pretty swoony. He was confident and strong while never hiding his softer side and the urge to protect and dote on Arthur. He constantly showed Arthur and those around him that Arthur is perfect exactly as he is and that alone is swoon worthy. And on top of that, the actual spice was really well done! My issue with Trevor is that his character felt half written. As a partner to Arthur he was amazing, but we got so many comments and scenes where he was described and written as being super sporty and chasing adrenaline. And while I can appreciate that his relationship with Arthur got him to finally slow down and enjoy the calmer things in life, it felt like we were told about this whole side of him that just disappeared when he met Arthur. If even just a sentence here or there was thrown out about him going out biking or something with his friends and meeting Arthur later, it would have felt more true to his character’s description.
I know I’ll be returning to this book again and again. The love story at its heart was so lovely and sweet and the relationships built with the side characters was really beautiful too. I know I’ll be thinking about this book for days and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Tropes: Neurodivergence, Bird Watching, First Times, Sexual Awakening, Found Family, Dual POV Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5 Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5 Relationship: MM
3.5⭐️ A cozy, sweet romance story with a beautiful setting. Arthur is a mega-talented wildlife photographer who happens upon an injured bird one day. When he brings it to the wildlife vet, he meets Trevor, a vet with a passion for animals and endless patience and acceptance. Trevor immediately takes a liking to Arthur, and his openness soon sparks a friendship between the two men. What starts as bonding over birds sweetly progresses into more, as Arthur learns that he doesn’t need to hide himself from others to be loved and accepted.
This book has: -wildlife vet x wildlife photographer -insta-like to lovers fairly quickly (but they take things slow) -autistic MC -Canadian east coast setting -lots of bird facts -very sweet, green flag guys
I really loved book 3 in this series, and it really held my attention well! This book had a harder time with that. Though I loved the sweetness these two brought, I found myself growing kind of bored after about halfway through the book.
That being said, it did have really great vibes. I loved how much attention to detail the setting had, with all the animals and scenery! I loved that they visited Dildo, too, haha! I know the author just had to do it 😂
It’s always great to see neurodiverse MCs in stories. I think that Arthur’s character was well done. I loved that the story highlighted Arthur’s brilliance, and celebrated his differences.
With Trevor, I felt more mixed. He was absolutely the best guy ever. Kind, patient, loves animals, talented, great job, never makes a mistake. His personality was just: super nice. Which didn’t make him the most interesting character. There were also multiple times when Trevor referred to Arthur as ‘cute’ and ‘adorable’, especially when he was showing atypical behaviour, which felt a liiiiitle infantilizing, but that might be me being sensitive. In the end, I was glad that Arthur found the love he wanted ❤️
Though not my personal favourite, I think those that like a more chill story, that are mostly in it for vibes, you’ll definitely like this book.
Dip Out is book two in the Northern Roots: Atlantic series. This MM romance story is about Trevor and Arthur.
Trevor is an outgoing wildlife vet and Arthur is a quiet wildlife photographer. Trevor and Arthur may be opposites, but we see how their love of nature and wildlife brings them together. Their meet cute was so adorable.
Arthur is autistic and finds comfort in his set routines. Trevor was incredibly patient, kind, and understanding. I love how he was so supportive of Arthur and helped to get him out of his comfort zone. There were so many moments that had me choked up. Their love story was so sweet, and it was so beautiful to see Trevor love and accept Arthur exactly as he is.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Okay... so anyone else get "white savior complex" from this? Because at first it was cute, but then it was all "imma push him in every way i can" and it got creepy for me. Also, the instalove trope ain't it for me.
Dip Out was a beautifully heartwarming story of how unconditional understanding and love can be found when you least expect it. It’s thanks to Arthur being right where a wild bird needed him to be to get help for a broken wing, that these two are able to meet and fall in love. I cried multiple times during my time in their world, and couldn't handle how incredible they were together without sobbing.
Arthur and Trevor’s relationship is everything to me. Green flags all around for these two!! Trevor truly sees Arthur for all that he is without any judgement, giving him a safe place to land and be himself without hiding. Arthur gives chaos a chance without changing who he fundamentally is, just like how Trevor finds his peace and quiet in the busy life he leads, as they let the other create a home inside their hearts.
The neurodivergent representation was handled with careful, loving hands with the way this story and all inside were crafted. Dip Out is a book that, without going into major parts of my own life story, touched my heart deeply. I’m in awe with how I’m already attached to these two and their world, knowing this will be one I will return to time and time again for the ways it saw and even healed parts of myself.
What another gorgeous book from this author. I was especially pleased about the autism representation, and it was so perfectly done.
Arthur and Trevor are gorgeous characters. Arthur is taking brave new steps to love Trevor and bring himself out of his safe little bubble. Trevor is patient and very kindhearted. They’re perfect.
I’ve never been happier to hear random facts about birds. It was cute, fun, and slow but never boring. There’s no angst or drama; it’s just a beautiful story about someone with autism pushing his own boundaries to allow himself to fall in love. The friendship group was also lovely; everyone was kind and non-judgmental. They let Arthur come to them and encouraged him when he was ready to join in.
The whole scene sounds gorgeous, all those lakes and rivers and coasts. I live by the coast, and I don’t think I could live anywhere else. I’m very curious about our biker and very much looking forward to the next book.
Who knew that I would love a book about a man who is a professional wildlife photographer that loves bird watching and another that is a wildlife veterinarian... not me in a million lifetimes but there is a lot I loved about this book.
It may not be for everyone and that's okay but this book deserved 5 stars, not only for the characters but for how incredibly well it was written. Eve did a fantastic fucking job in all aspects of the story and not just the main characts but the side characters also.
Mike hands down was my absolute favorite - One example🤣🙌🏼
Mike dramatically drops his backpack and releases a large breath. “Thank god. Dildo has already fucked me once today. And I know it’s coming for more.”
this book is everything!! it’s just sweet and wholesome, there’s no drama or anything like that and i loved it. trevor and arthur are now one of my favorite couples! the way they adore each other made me emotional a few times, it’s such a soft love. arthur is such a sweetheart and he deserves the entire world! he’s going to be one of my new favorite mc’s, he’s just amazing! i feel like the autism representation was so well done in this book. now trevor… wow. everyone deserves a trevor 😭 he was always so supportive and understanding and he LOVED arthur, everything about him he completely adored.
the side characters were so much fun, they were so kind and supportive about everything! they brought so much to the story. and the sneak peak of one of the next mc’s 👀 yes please. i love eve holmes writing and she’s become one of my favorite authors! everything i’ve read by her i’ve loved!
Eve Holmes truly writes the most beautiful quiet love stories. Trevor and Arthur are so complex and their journey to figure out what each other needs and how best to support one another as partners was like nothing I’ve read before. Arthur is an autistic wildlife photographer, he is schedules, and routine, and lonely, so very lonely. Trevor is an outgoing, loving, veterinarian, who is equally as lonely and just wanting a real connection. When they find each other life just clicks, it’s a slow gentle love that grows out of trust and friendship. Getting to see Arthur learn how to accept care and love from Trevor was so emotional for me. He has been told his whole life by others that he needs to fit in a box and Trevor is the first person to accept him for who he is, and thinks he’s beautiful for it! I couldn’t get enough of these two and can’t wait for book 3.