Hot Off the Press

Ridgemont University #1

by Meredith Taylor

Join the adventures and MM romantic exploits of the students at Ridgemont University in this exciting new series.
MM/ gay character driven sweet romance
Simon Northbrook is a 19-year-old Journalism major and a subeditor at the Ridgemont Weekly News. Ian Peters is the gorgeous, charming editor-in-chief, whose smile could knock the wind out of you. They work at the most respected university newspaper in the country, and Simon’s ambition and great organizational skills ensure that he’s Ian’s right hand man. Simon feels like he can trust Ian completely, but there’s one thing he hasn’t told him yet: his feelings for Ian are more than just professional admiration, and it’s making it difficult for Simon to think straight.

Ian is about to graduate and Simon is vying for the position of editor, so he has to work extra hard to impress the other journalists at the Weekly, especially Ian. But something is standing in his way: the equally ambitious and hypercompetitive Margeaux Chamberlain is ready to do anything to be the editor herself, including making a move on Ian.

When Simon and Ian start working on a story that could rock the entire campus, a story that affects the people that Simon cares about most, they end up spending a lot of time together… and sparks begin to fly. Could Ian really feel the same way about Simon? And will Simon be able to get over his fears and tell Ian how he feels before he falls into the trap that Margeaux has set for him?

The Ridgemont University series follows the MM/ gay romances of students at the fictional Ridgemont University in Cape Town, South Africa. The books are crammed full of flirty, fun and sweet romantic moment and complex characters that will make you care about them deeply (and maybe even have them tug at your heartstrings). The romances are organic and realistic, and even though the books are mostly light reading, they have enough substance for you to really dig into and think about long after you turn the last page. Give Ridgemont University a try; the boys might just steal your heart.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, College, Contemporary, LGBT, Fiction, New Adult

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2016

Reviews

[Finnegan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. But I was so disappointed. I did not like any of the characters in the book, but I especially loathed Simon. He was one of the most frustrating, irritating MC's ever. Neurotic, insecure, wallowing in self-pity... I really could not see any redeeming quality and could not figure out why Ian was in love with him. It is like loving someone with the emotional maturity of a twelve-year old.

I will probably read the next book in the series. Because of the south african angle. But if he characters are again caricatures of real people like in this book, it will be the end.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. Just...no. I lost count of how many times I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room from Simon's idiocy. And even my teenage daughter was tired of me calling Margeaux an utter bitch. If Simon couldn't see that someone was in the process of stealing his ideas and/or writing after the third time he found his working files open on his computer in the press room, the poor boy needed to have his eyes checked pronto! Yes, I read this for a reading challenge, but I know I'll be searching long and hard for something else before I'll be reading more Ridgemont University stories.

[Pebbles1374 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Sorry,not my kind of book. That was no romance for me. The first kiss was 5% before the end...

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit I had a hard time getting through this book. I just could not get comfortable with Simon throughout the first 60% of the book. His character development as well as the progress of the relationship was glacierly slow. Mind you this was not an accident on the author's part; as I found out in the latter 40% of the book she was writing exactly as she wished. And by the end of the book I was more than satisfied I was in tears. Well done Ms. Taylor. Will definitely continue with this series. I might just learn a bit of patience if any other of her books are slow developers... or not!

[Roger - president of NBR United - · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically this is a story about coning in to your power as you learn to live as you truly are. Simon being unsure of himself tries to be the perfect detached reporter not letting himself truly feel anything, not sharing his feeling for the man he loves. It takes nearly losing everything he has worked and dreamed for, to bring his passion to the front. Ian isn't just his love but his editor both of them coming to grips about being gay and out.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best love stories I've read in a long time! I really felt like I could feel the tension and chemistry between the two characters, and I really felt myself rooting for them to finally end up together. The two characters were also really likeable, and you really want the best for them. The author keeps the suspense going, which adds a bit of heat to the storyline. The descriptions in the story also pulled me in, and I could really feel the emotions of the characters. All of them played a part, and were really explored - often I find that secondary characters aren't "real", but in this story they all came alive!

I also liked that the characters didn't just fall into the usual stereotypes that one usually finds in LBGT plots (e.g. Will & Grace type stereotypes). These characters were real and complex people, with real problems that everyone can identify with.

The story was set in the Cape Town area, which was so cool. You don't often get stories set in this part of the world. As a South African, I really liked that my hometown was actually getting featured for once:) I also liked how the author kept the story true to the setting, and tackled issues that are part of everyday South Africa. It made it so much more than just an awesome love-story.

[Tonileg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contemporary African M/M romance set on a university campus with lots of reporters and a sexy hot editor.
Simon Northbrook is a 19-year-old Journalism major and a subeditor at the Ridgemont Weekly News who is love with his editor, Ian Peters. Simon is a very frustrating 'hero' because he holds himself back from any success until the very end when he must stand up for himself or be plagiarized.
There is a lot of crazy fun characters, but the actual story is obvious and no one leaves thier computer on all night with thier private documents open, so that part of the plot is more then a little weak.
This was kind of boring, and I got myself through thinking that some thing fun would happen, but nothing other then some chaste kisses.
Sigh. Not going to look for anything else by this author.
260pages and kindle freebie
2 stars

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot off the Press was a quick, sweet and entertaining read! I love that it's set in Cape Town, amazing city! The writing is good, feels like you are in the moment, good use of all the senses. I'm left wanting of more dialogue though, story feels rushed at times, and some heat! The action bits were entertaining, and I hope I never meet someone like the villain in this story. The plot also includes creating awareness of LGTBI issues which I think is awesome. Can't wait for Ridgemont University book part 2!

[Pontiki · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had an important theme of LGBT discrimination and abuse, with an exposé written by Simon.

Unfortunately, Simon himself was too passive to help his friend out for awhile, and also too afraid to take a chance and tell Ian how he felt.

Ian appears confident and strong, but shares his vulnerabilities with Simon, but Simon runs away each time. I felt bad for Ian, left baring his soul with no support from Simon.

It's alluded to that Simon has some anxiety issues, but I don't think this was dealt with well, so it made him seem less able to handle his relationship with Ian.

This book was a bit off in terms of how the characters related to each other, even the nasty girl was a bit two dimensional. Just OK.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting through Hot Off the Press Hot Off the Press by Meredith Taylor. The writing was stiff, tired, and didactic but I liked the story. There were racial undertones that were reminiscent of the apartheid system and reminded me of the ugly racism that we've seen in the US these past few years. The crippling fear and self-loathing that made Simon afraid to be real are understandable but dragged on for far too long. I'm glad I read the book but I'll think twice about reading the other books in the Ridgemont University series.

[Jorge Ramirez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unbelievable

I stopped reading this book to write this review before finishing because I just couldn't hold it in anymore. Let me just say that there was potential here for a good story hence the two star rating, unfortunately it was overshadowed by the most annoying character in any book I have ever read. A character who has the intelligence and skill to be an excellent reporter yet can't seem to be able to see what is right I front of him. A character who comes across as so emotionally pathetic that it stretches and breaks the limits of believability. I tried to enjoy the book, and intend to finish reading it because I'm just to stubborn to give up, but advice to the writer - Don't do this again please.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to fulfil a book read a book about homosexuality. i got tired of reading nonfiction lately, but didn't want anything graphic just a fun light read. this fit the bill. because of the subject matter it's not a book i would necessarly recommend. i'm in the camp of thinking that homosexuality is wrong, but morals aside. i appreciated how the book kept things g rated and was a nice easy read. one of the things i found most fascenating was one of the characters had ocd. i have recently been diagnosed with having primarly obsessional ocd and it was kindof weird how strongly i identifed with the character.

[Daniel]

I didn't get very far. 14%. Simon was shy and Ian confident, which is fine. Nothing wrong with that. Margeaux, on the other hand, was a viper who I imagined to be a woman trying to launch her career. Simon worried about how the boss would perceive things, and how people should behave in a professional setting. Then I'd get a reminder that they're university students. It's jarring because the inner monolog of Simon is at odds with reality, as is the sense we get that Margeaux is trying to launch her career. It's just too much for me so I'm going to pass. No rating because I didn't get far enough into it.

[JADT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frustrating at some points.

I don't really know what to say about this one. The story in general wasn't that bad. But, this could have been better a short story. I don't know how I managed to end this, because one of the characters frustrated me so much. I fell like some times the story go for so long, then it was rushed. I liked how the author write, so I guess that's reason why I actually end the book.

[Margo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, even though it was hard to watch Simon make mistake after mistake. However, he learns a lot about himself and what it means to stand up for himself. I will definitely read more by this author.

[Coty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing and story are very well developed. The main MC was so frustrating that I actually skipped through some of his dialogue. The Romance is almost nonexistent as, the first kiss comes near the end.

[F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a good read for me, neither MC was likeable and no spark seemed to exist between them.
Not an author I am in a hurry to try again.
2.5 stars (3 for GR as I'm feeling generous)

[Earlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was ok... college romance, with mixed signals.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another HEA.

[Zeoanne]

DNF. Had to stop before I threw a brick at my computer.

[Dadde · Rating 1 out of 5]

No

Just….. no. DNF… I think I have read ten pages and I couldn’t stand the writing style. It’s as if a five year old wrote it.
It was free . That’s a plus.

[Jeremy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really informative and enjoyable read I found I couldn't put it down until I finished it 😀

[Drako Drako · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so I had to wait a day after reading this to write my review. It's not that the story wasn't good. It definitely was. It's just that Simon was so frustrating. I can't relate to him personally because his level of insecurity is far beyond anything I've dealt with. Despite this, I kept reading because I wanted him to eventually grow a pair and take what was in front of him. Ian isn't sterling either, but at least he's willing to go for what he wants. I actually feel sorry for him because it's evident early on that he's attracted to Simon, but Simon is just so insecure and sheltered that he refuses to see the signs, and even when Ian reaches out, he shuts him down repeatedly. Despite Simon's glaring personality flaws, the story itself was interesting and kept me reading to make it through to the end

[Ashley D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian Peters is the editor in chief of the Ridgemont University Press, he is graduating and needs to pick a new editor in chief. Simon has great organization skills, which makes him Ian's right hand man. Simon and Ian are working on the case of a life time, but Simon is also competing against Margeaux for Ian, although Ian doesn't realize this is going on and he tends to play both of them against each unwittingly.

Simon annoyed me in this book, he was very wishy washy with Ian. Ian would try to tell him how he felt and Simon would run, but Simon was always talking about how he wanted Ian, but he wouldn't actually do anything about it. Ian drove me crazy because he would lead Margeaux on but then give mix signals to Simon. It wasn't a bad book and I will probably read more in the series, just frustrating with the way the characters acted.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 2.5 stars. The storyline here had lots of potential but I found the writing, especially in the dialogue, very stilted,unreal and annoying.

Simon and Ian are obviously attracted/in love but are both frightened/closeted.

Simon is also on the OCD spectrum which incidentally makes it strange that he did nothing when his computer was so obviously interfered with.

The problems of moving towards a relationship were delicately handled and I liked the fact that sex was not a big thing here.But both main characters were annoying in their doubts and hesitations which were too spun out.

[Straight Girl Goes Gay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll admit, I DNFed this a couple of months ago, so I only have a vague recollection of why. It's set in South Africa on a college campus, but there was very little to no mention of people of color, even as secondary characters? Do most black Africans not go to college? Please note that I normally don't care either way about the race of the characters, but it was the location of the novel combined with this lack of diversity that that created too much of a disconnect for me to finish.

[K Cherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took too much effort to read.

This book frustrated me from the beginning. Simon was so afraid of everything. Not sure how his character could be a journalism major with his lack of confidence and speaking abilities. Also, the story took way too long to get to the romance part of the whole book. I had to skip through it. Just wasn't my kind of story. Sorry.

[Jennifer babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweetly Innocent

This ius a nice love story that centers on the main character Simon and his emotional ups and down of coming out. The plot is very well written and encourages the reader on. I did find Simon at times to be a bore but I think the author planed this. Be wear there is no sex beyond kissing. It is very innocent

[Lene · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA MM drama/romance.