Escaping in Oz

Accepting Love #1

by Aria Grace

Dear Author,
It’s just been me and my mom for as long as I can remember. She’s great and I don’t mind having to pitch in. I got a job young and studied really hard to get a scholarship to college. I never had time to date, but wasn’t really tempted by anyone… until I started tutoring for extra cash in college. To my surprise, it was a guy that got me flustered. I looked at other guys and girls to see if I was just a late bloomer, but they did nothing for me. Just Xander, and I don’t even think he likes guys that way.

Photo Description:
Two college-aged guys are taking a nap on a bed, holding each other.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, College, Romance, Short Stories, LGBT, Ebooks

56 pages, ebook

First published July 21, 2015

Reviews

[Trisha Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Escaping in Oz is a nice contemporary NA story. I really liked Oz and his mom, who was great. But I would have liked to have seen what happened with Xander's parents.

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, but very short novella. I was a little disappointed that we never got to see what Xander said to his parents.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to know what happens with Xander's parents, does he come out and how do they respond. And I love Oz and his mom.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - Just didn't feel like a finished story.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a NA short story. Told in dual POV it starts off well, Oz and Xander meet and then begins a hesitant realisation there is more to their relationship than just tutor/tuttee.....

I have a couple of gripes - I'm a little disappointed that the issue with Xander's parents/religion isn't explored more, especially as it is a key part of Xander's upbringing and his early decision in staying chaste. I also didn't enjoy the ending, it felt a little abrupt and didn't offer any closure.....I just needed more......

Overall, Oz and Xander are a cute couple and what is offered is a sweet read.

[Line · Rating 2 out of 5]

As mentioned in other reviews this story is clearly not done...

Oz and Xander were nice MCs, but this was way too short, and lacking a proper ending. It's over a year old, so it's too bad, that nothing more has been done with this story.

[Leaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A cute story, both Oz and Xander were sweet together. Would be nice if there's a sequel in the future.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

God, what’s wrong with me? Why do I feel sick at his rejection? Why am I even considering it rejection? He’s a guy I’m tutoring, and he’s gorgeous. If he ever did come out as gay, it wouldn’t be for me. And I don’t think I’m gay. I mean, I’ve never really felt a strong attraction to a girl before, but that doesn’t mean anything. I really like Xander, but would I want to kiss him? Touch him? See him naked? — Ozzie

Warnings: internalised homophobia, organised religion

Escaping in Oz is a short and well-balanced story about learning how to live in your own skin and deciding how to live your life. The ending of the story is just cute and sweet a perfect contrast to the angst that is at the core of the story. It is It does deal with internalised homophobia and religion specifically the LDS Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), LDS is not focused on but is more the clear reasoning behind all of Xander's actions. The two main characters are jock, business major and LDS member Xander Collins and business major and tutor Ozzie. Ozzie is very close to his mother, Emily, she is just fun. The plot is simple enough all the angst is internalised not coming from external sources as only feels right given the characters. Ozzie is the character that caught my attention while he identifies as gay he is written more as an aspec. With just a couple of word changes, this could easily have been explicit aspec and it would have been glorious. Sorry, it's something that long to read in more books. I do still like Ozzie here I like the human way he handles confrontation specifically.

If you want another story that deals with LDS and a young queer his trying to figure out how to balance his faith and his heart I wholeheartedly recommend Christina Lauren's Autoboyography. There are clear parallels between Lauren's protagonist Sebastian Brother and Grace's protagonist Xander. I loved Autoboyography it works with challenging topics well and if you enjoy this you will likely enjoy that.

A representative gif:

[Rex patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable Mix of Intensity and Humor….

…using realistic characters with all too real humanity. Even during romantic scenes, the dialogue clearly conveys emotion without being maudlin. (And that includes intimacy, with the characters being able to laugh at themselves during the action). I found myself laughing out loud with them!
I can’t recommend this book—and it’s clever writing—highly enough. A fun, enjoyable read!

[Louan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️
Ended abruptly without much exploration of their relationship once they decided to be together. Would have been great if Xander's parents had been brought into the mix, the reaction of Ozs mom as it's pretty certain Xander's parents wouldn't not react well. Half a point for alternating POV.
Despite all of my criticism I did enjoy what story there was.

[Janis Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet First Time!

This was extremely sweet and romantic. The hesitation and the insecurities are hard to deal with when you first realize you're in love. Even harder if the one you love is the same sex. This story is lovingly sweet about discovering where your heart lies. Loved it!

[wayward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short. I was left hanging,

The story is cute but way too short. The ending chapter left me feeling like the show had been cancelled and a commercial sized snippet was released to tie up the loose ends. Just as I am getting into the characters, even some supporting ones, we are done!

[Rachel Seumalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just cuts off

There’s no real ending or stopping point. It just cuts off suddenly. The book was too short anyways. I liked what I read, but as soon as the story starts, it’s cut off.

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cliffhanger

What started as such a good book endEd so freaking abruptly you'd think you were dreaming. Horrible enough its only a piece of a story but the way it drops off is ridiculous. First and last time reading this author

[Audrey Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad boys/good boys

This was a very interesting story. One I could follow and did not want it to stop, loved the characters and their interactions are believable. I would recommend this book to any one of my friends who are into alternative reading as I am

[Jackie Berkel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worthy of four stars.

Story was well written and because the end left me wanting more it felt unfinished therefore 3 stars. What happened next?

[KAM HADLEY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, with potential

I feel generous giving this a 3. I doubt I would read it again. There’s potential there, but it just doesn’t quite make it.

[Robin Cruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

This is a beginning. It's not too long, not too short...just right. All stories must begin somewhere... I'd like to see where this one goes.

[fishreads freebies]

Free June 7-11, 2024 on Amazon as a part of Zero Penny Reads Pride Promo.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

One man is from the LDS church and though he prefers men knows his religion doesn't permit it.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm, this is a short little story about two guys in college... Xanders parents are extremely religious and very conservative so he's never had a chance to explore the depths of his sexuality.

Ozzie, (who, I just can't take serious if I call him Oz) just hasn't had time to explore his being that it's just been himself and his mom his whole life. He works and tutors and goes to school so he's content just being. Until he starts tutoring Xander, the realize they both like guys.

Xander still being confused though ends up hurting Ozzies feelings and sends him away meanwhile Ozzies mom couldn't be more supportive and awesome.
It only takes Ozzie going to a LGBT mixer for Xander to realize if he doesn't tell Ozzie how he feels now, he may lose his chance, so he does..... however, then the story just ends and we dunno how it went with Xanders parents or if they even know about anything, they seemed psycho to be honest I can't imagine they'd be okay with Xander doing anything at all out of their comfort zone....dating at all much less dating a man.. it left it wide open so hopefully we'll get to see more as the series progresses...Hopefully it'll all work out though, they seem like a great couple!

[VVivacious · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is why I like contemporary romance. It's been some while since I have read a nice one but "Escaping in Oz" has cemented my faith in the genre.

I loved the whole first-love between college students thing. It was refreshing. The writing was really smooth, it kept me interested. And I liked the fact that the story is really simple without over-complicating stuff it was really nice and to the point.

I loved Oz and Xander, they were awesome. I liked Oz's coming-out and his Mom and the fact that he got so jealous of his mother's interactions with Xander, it was adorable. I also liked Xander but I feel there is a lot more for him to face in regards to his family and his religion and I for one won't mind reading more about these two.

Recently, all the books I have read have all included a million characters and a million different threads running in approximately one million directions and these threads just seem unable to weave themselves into a tapestry. In contrast this book was simple, cute and nice, it was relaxed there was just one thing happening one guy falling for another and it was sweet and fantastic.

[Wax · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how this was told in dual POV. It helped to see both MC's thoughts at the beginning of the relationship. Oz is a poor college student who tutors to earn extra money. He lives with his single mother who works double shifts at a diner to help support them. Xander is a hunky student who he tutors since he's close to failing a key course for the business degree. Xander's parent are pretty fundamentalist LDS who monetarily support him, but dictate everything he does from where he lives to what he studies.

I really enjoyed the story, but the ending really spoiled things. After all the build-up over how much Xander's parents would disapprove of a homosexual relationship and how he wasn't able to step out from under their thumb, these things just really weren't addressed. I would have given it a solid 4 stars until the end.

Thanks to the author for participating in the LOR event.

[2kasmom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oz is tutoring Xander in a class he has already taken. They are immediately attracted to one another. Oz is not sure he wants to come out and be vocal about it. Xander is sure he cannot come out and let anyone know.

Oz has been raised by his single mother. She is concerned about him not telling her what is going on. She never sees him with any friends, before Xander.

Xander comes from a very strict religious household. He is trying to find his way and plan his future, but he is sure his parents want him to be a certain way. They also want him to work for his father.

Very sweet and short story. I like the honesty and the way the story progresses felt right. I was a bit saddened by the rough comments toward a specific religion, as I felt that the story could be told without being rude to a certain church. Outside of this, the story is a simple love story and is pleasant enough to read.

[WhatAStrangeDuck]

Uhm...

I'm not going to rate this.

As far as I'm going to review this... Sorry, tired, this is more a note to myself.

- sweet story in a lot of other persons' private universe but just not my cuppa
- first person singular, present tense POV almost never ends well, and it doesn't here (the most terrible POV being second person, present tense which I only encountered in one book - and lets not talk about that)
- not my kind of author. I'm sure she's a wonderful person but I'm not, so we don't mesh well.

It's short, it's free and everybody out there might love this book. It just so happened that I didn't.

[Kira · Rating 2 out of 5]

One minute one of them would drool over other's body, notice his mutual hard-on, etc., the next is "I've never noticed anyone this way" and "He gave me no indication that he might be into boys". As if some paragraphs were taken from later in the story and inserted somewhere earlier without proper adjustment.
I liked what author was trying to do here, I just need better continuity and more filling between the key points of the story. After meeting only twice for tutoring sessions both guys were sometimes acting and thinking about each other like they were friends for some months, at least.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

- 3 Stars -

This was a really cute freebie about two young guys still trying to find themselves. And what do you know? They also stumble over each other and with each other during the process.

I liked it, especially because both MCs were unique, but so adorable. I did struggle a little with the high intensity of their emotions - good and bad - after only a couple of days. But that happens to me quote often when I read somewhat ambitious short stories. It was still a good interpretation of a great prompt and I really enjoyed it.

[Comelia]

So is there like absolutely no sequel?
I see the name has been changed to accepting love on a couple of other formats but there’s absolutely no sequel anywhere to be found.
So many unanswered questions is really unfair. I understand it was a free book but people will gladly pay for the sequel cuz of the build up that was created.
I did enjoy what I read by for it to end like it does I had to give it no stars.

[Sandra]

Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Is An Open Road event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!

They used this pic last year.